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allow to Marine preaching establishments and all kindred Institutions."

The most entire approbation is given by us to the objects expressed in the foregoing articles, and the hope is entertained that in process of time the benevolent views of the "American Seamen's Friend Society," will be carried into effect" in the several seaport towns of our country."

In Baltimore it appears there is in great forwardness, and very near to completion, a new building designed for a Mariner's Church-the consecration of which is in contemplation very shortly; to attend which the venerable Preacher here is invited and expects to officiate.*

At Boston, Charleston, South Carolina, Norfolk and New-Orleans, similar establishments have been made; much activity is known to prevail in the two first, and it is hoped, that there is no want of a holy zeal in the others. For the New-Orleans establishment a Reverend gentleman has been deputed by a society formed at that place, to travel and solicit funds in aid of erecting a Mariner's Church. That port being the resort of numerous vessels from different parts of the world, affords a large field for benevolent exertions, and has a peculiar claim on other places for aid, from the circumstance that very few of the Seamen are other than strangers.

The communications from London, embracing a correspondence with the Rev. G. C. Smith, the distinguished Preacher of the Mariner's Church in that city, and Thomas Philips, Esq. Secretary of the British and Foreign Seamen's Friend Society and Bethel Union, have afforded the most ample and satisfactory information of the blessed work prevailing among Seamen in England, and also of the deep concern which appears to be implanted in the hearts of British Christians to promote this glorious cause, not only in their own land, but throughout the world.

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In concluding this statement, it is felt to be incumbent,

*It appears from Mr. Eastburn's journal, that he did attend and officiate on the occasion here referred to.

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that we should be deeply sensible of the goodness of God, in condescending so remarkably to smile on the effort which has here been made, to extend the blessings of the gospel to our sea-faring brethren; that we should humbly and fervently implore his gracious benediction on all the endeavours we shall use, for the same purpose, in time to come; and that while we earnestly solicit our fellow Christians to unite their supplications with ours in this behalf, we should express our gratitude to those who have already favoured our undertaking with their patronage and their prayers."

The foregoing report is the last which has been published, in relation to the Mariner's church in Philadelphia. Mr. Eastburn was present when it was read, and participated largely in the pleasure which all the friends of the establishment experienced, in contemplating its prosperity and its prospects. Previously, however, as appears from his journal, his health had, for some time, been less firm than usual; and his unabated exertions, when he was verging on the age of fourscore, had doubtless some effect in increasing his infirmities, and hastening the period when he was to exchange them all for immortal bliss, activity and vigour. His decline was gradual, and he continued to preach occasionally, even after his worthy successor, the Rev. Alfred H. Dashiel, stood ready to supply his place, whenever his feebleness might demand aid or relief. It appears from the journal, that Mr. Dashiel performed the last service for which Mr. E. made preparation, but which he found himself unable to attempt.

On the 26th of June, 1827, the writer of these memoirs paid a visit to his aged friend, drawing near in appearance to the eternal world; but not in much pain at the time, and in perfect possession of all his powers of intellect and speech. The conversation, which lasted for perhaps an hour, turned on scenes past, present, and to come; and terminated in a distinct agreement to pray daily for each other, till one or the other should become silent in death. For the two immediately succeeding months the writer was, the most of the time, absent from the city,

and at a considerable distance from it. On one occasion, a rumour where he was, announced the death of Mr. Eastburn, with such circumstances of probability as to leave no doubt in the mind of the writer, that he was no longer in a situation to be the proper subject of prayer; and in place of petitions for him, thanksgivings for his edifying example, and supplications to be prepared to join him in a better world, seemed to be the incumbent duty of the survivor. On returning to the city however, he was agreeably surprised to find that his old friend was still in life; and that, on hearing of the rumour which had consigned him to the grave, he had said-" as yet, there is no such good news." He even revived so much after this, that in the month of September he was once carried to his beloved Mariner's Church, where he made a short address to the Sabbath school children, and one stil! shorter to the mariners themselves. This was his farewell interview with them, and was so regarded by all the parties concerned-It is almost needless to say, that tears in abundance were shed on the occasion.

The organic disease of Mr. E. which terminated in death, was of the stomach and bowels, unaccompanied by fever till near its fatal issue. He had but little ease, except when it was procured by the use of anodynes; and at times his pain was extreme. Mortification was much apprehended, but it never took place. His appetite, in the progress of his complaint, entirely failed, and the powers of nature sunk by degrees, till the lamp of life went out by a gradual extinction.

To all who are acquainted with the influence which the bodily organization has on the mind, it will be obvious to remark, that the circumstances in which Mr. E. approached his dissolution, were exactly those which are least favourable to clear perceptions, and vigorous mental exercises. The mind which is not clouded, or debilitated, by the relaxation of all the springs of life, and the constant use of opiates, must be sustained and invigorated in no ordinary manner; and that examples of this description have sometimes been seen, the writer is not disposed to deny. The subject of this memoir, however, did not furnish such an example. The usual influence of disease,

and the usual effects of remedies, were, in his case, fully apparent. His mind, indeed, suffered no alienation, till very near the close of his mortal career, and then it was only fitful and partial. But in perspicuity, sensibility, vigor, and animation, he was manifestly different from what he had been immediately before his confinement. It was therefore not wonderful, that on spiritual subjects, as on all others, he was less excitable than he was wont to be in health. He expressed no rapturous views of divine things. He used none of that language of ecstatic delight in God, and animated triumph over death and the grave, which is sometimes witnessed in holy men, as they draw near to the eternal world; and which he would have been the last man on earth to censure or undervalue. But what he exhibited—and it was most edifying and delightful to see it-was the blessed effects of long habits of piety—an humble, stedfast assurance of an interest in the unchanging covenant of grace. If his hope of heaven was ever shaded, it was but a passing cloud, a momentary eclipse. For more than seven months, during which he labored under the disease that terminated in death, the habitual state of his mind was that of unreserved submission to the will of God, thankfulness for his mercies, a placid, tranquil, unwavering trust in the divine promises, and an unshaken expectation of a speedy and eternal vision and fruition of his covenant God and Saviour. The writer finds, on consulting his diary, that on the 12th of January, a little more than a fortnight before Mr. Eastburn's death, the following memorandum is entered-"I found at my house, on returning from paying what I expect will be my last visit to father Eastburn. I conversed with him, and he told me that he had not a doubt, or a fear, in regard to his future happiness. He thanked me for what I had done for him, in bringing him into public usefulness. I prayed with him, and was a good deal affected:"-Such is a short-hand memorandum, made when no thought was entertained of penning these memoirs, or that the record would be intelligible to any human eye but the writer's own—It is now published, as exhibiting the general state of the mind

of this man of God, in the near view of eternity. He languished till the morning of the 30th of January, 1828, when, without a struggle, he fell asleep in Jesus, and went to be for ever with the Lord.

CHAPTER VII.

Miscellaneous particulars and remarks-Conclusion.

Or the excellent man who is the subject of these memoirs, it may be gratifying to the reader to know somewhat more than is contained in the foregoing narra、 tive. It may also be proper for the writer to make some additional remarks.

The person of Mr. Eastburn was in no respect peculiar. His stature was a little below the middle size, and his frame was such as to favor the activity for which he was always remarkable. A better likeness of his face, in the last ten years of his life, could scarcely be given in an engraving, than is exhibited in that which accompanies these memoirs.-His aspect in younger life was considerably different. In public speaking his countenance and eyes often expressed much animation, and he used a good deal of unstudied, yet not ungraceful gesticulation -when much engaged, as was often the case, his whole body seemed to be agitated by the fervors of his mind. Still there was nothing of that boisterous, loud and enthusiastic rant, in which extemporaneous speakers in the pulpit too often indulge. His voice was strong and his speech articulate; and there was seldom any hesitation, or appearance of difficulty to get forward, in his public addresses. They were generally fluent, and always characterized by great solemnity.

He was singularly neat in his dress, and in all his habits; and he could scarcely refrain from showing his disapprobation, when he saw the want of an attention to decency of appearance in others. His mechanical business had not rendered him uncouth or awkward in his

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