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Would it not be expedient for all such bodies to invite either stated or occasional meetings of ship-masters, in which a committee from the body shall meet them and discuss freely any subject pertaining to the welfare of seamen? And if upon suitable investigation it shall appear advisable, to establish institutions of the kind which has been proposed, may we not anticipate the united exertions of Marine Associations, Ship-Owners and ShipMasters, throughout the world? We feel assured there is a kindred spirit glowing in the bosom of the friends of Zion of every nation. The unusual interest which has of late been excited in behalf of seamen, and the special success which has crowned the recent exertions for their welfare, encourage us to indulge hopes of no ordinary kind. And when we reflect on their number, the hardiness and energy of their character, and their constant intercourse with every part of the globe, what may we not expect from them, should they become Christians, towards evangelizing the world? Every thing we do to elevate their character will have a tendency to bring them under the influence of the gospel.-Shall we not then in obedience to the indications of Providence, summon our energies, combine our exertions, and make one effort corresponding, at least in some degree, with the movements of the day in which we live, earnestly supplicating that blessing, without which all human endeavors will be utterly fruitless, and with which the feeblest may accomplish wonders.

With much respect,

We have the honour to be,
Brethren and Friends,

Yours most affectionately,

In behalf of the Charleston Bethel Union.

THOMAS NAPIER, President.

JOSEPH BROWN, Corresponding Secretary.

P

Among the manuscripts of Mr. Eastburn, were found a number of narratives and anecdotes, which were prefaced as follows:

"As there are some remarkable things, which I have heard or known, and which I have never seen in print, and finding my memory failing, I would just write them, that they may not be forgotten-as they should be a warning to every one.

*

"In the congregation of Mr. Ramsey, near Cohansey, in Jersey, there was a young man who had made a profession of religion, and was thought well of for some time; but associating with vain worldly company, he was persuaded, on a Christmas night, to attend at a jovial meeting for dancing and merriment. And as he was remarkable for activity, he was persuaded to take his turn in dancing. He accordingly stepped out on the floor with a young woman for the purpose, but the instant the violin began to play, he was struck dead. The company thought he was about to show some feats of his activity, which he had formerly done, and waited to see him spring to his feet; but when they found he was dead, they all fled and left the house, and their mirth was turned into awful horror and alarm. The account spreading, and Mr. Ramsey giving out that he would preach a sermon upon the occasion on new-year day, many attended, and were much affected; and this awful instance occasioned the beginning of a revival of religion there. (MS.)

Mr. Kirkland, a missionary to the Indians, related the following account. In a town in New-England where he had been, there were two young women who were very intimate one of them became very serious; but the other, having an infidel father, who had brought her up in his sentiments, left her company, but was shortly after taken sick. This pious friend paid her a visit; and upon reminding her of the importance of being prepared for

*In connexion with these manuscripts, several printed articles were found, which Mr. E. had manifestly selected and preserved for the same purpose-We shall insert a few, distinguishing the manuscripts with the mark MS.

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death, she forbade her to mention death in her hearing, until she should get well. Her friend expostulated with her, telling her, now was the time, and she knew not that she should recover. She then declared she would not hear her, and desired her to withdraw. Her physician coming in, the sick one asked him what he thought of her case. He told her it was past the power of man to help her. She cried out, "O doctor, you must help me. He told her she must apply to the Lord, for he only could help her. She replied, the Lord I know will not help me, as I have refused to seek or serve him all my life; and she would not hear any thing about death, or any thing that was good. The doctor withdrew, and her infidel father came in, when she told him that the doctor had informed her that she would die; and said, "I now believe it, and I must be miserable; and now I tell you, that your principles have ruined me for ever: and remember what I now tell you, when you see my body put in the coffin and lowered in the grave-then my soul will be in hell," and in dreadful distress she expired. This being known, he said there were not less than two hundred people awakened by this awful case, (MS.)

Mr. Kirkland also related the case of an officer in our American Revolution, who had from a child possessed infidel principles; so that when quite young, when his mother, who was a pious woman, would catechise him, and ask him that question in the Assembly's catechism, "How many persons are there in the godhead?" he would ridicule the question, and refuse to attend to her instructions. He became very vain and haughty, and entered into the army. Possessing much wit and humor, he was much admired by his brother officers, and attained to the rank of major in the standing army, and behaved as a resolute good officer until the war was over-when he returned to the town where his mother lived in New-England. At this time there was a revival of religion there, which he very much despised, and was quite provoked to find the young people so attentive to meetings. He therefore set himself to oppose the work,

and prevailed with some to join him on sabbath evenings, to assemble together to mock the preaching of the day, and spend the rest of the time in merriment. He would go himself to hear preaching, to obtain something to ridicule. But while he was listening for this purpose, the Lord was pleased so to apply the word to his heart, that he knew not how to behave. He tried to overcome his impressions, and thought to brave it out, by going to his company again in the evening. But conscience made him linger by the way, until it was late. The company shouted at his coming, and inquired the reason of his delay; when the impressions of the day came powerfully to his mind again.-Upon which he cried out that they were all in the way to hell, and that he had been the wicked leader, and now gave a solemn warning and forsook the place. His distress became so great that he could scarce sleep or eat any, for three days and nights. He would cast himself upon the floor at night, wrapped in a blanket, and roll in anguish, crying out against himself as the chief of sinners. His mother finding his distress so great, began to fear the enemy might tempt him to destroy himself, and therefore, unknown to him, would watch him. Finding him rise suddenly at midnight, and go out from the house, she followed him; when at some distance, in a private place, she perceived him on his knees, and could hear him with rapturous joy praising the Lord for the unspeakable gift of his Son, to be a Saviour for such poor lost sinners as he was, and enabling him to believe in him; and from that time he took an active part in promoting what he had before been trying to hinder. (MS.)

Instances of Infidelity, and marks of Divine displeasure.

In the city of Boston, a company of infidels met for the purpose of ridiculing religion; and after spending part of the night in a profane manner, three of them had to pass over the neck, and go some distance on a road, on the side of which was a burying ground. One of them observed that they had been disavowing any belief of a future state, or resurrection of the dead, and asked who

would go over the wall and stand upon a tomb-stone, and call the dead to come to judgment; upon which one offered to do so, and immediately stood up and called aloud," Arise ye dead and come to judgment."-A poor deranged woman, who often spent her nights among the tombs, at that time lay by the side of the one on which he stood, and hearing him call, instantly sprang up and cried, "I am coming." This so dreadfully affrighted the poor infidel, that he fell into fits, and never afterwards recovered until he died. His companions were also dreadfully alarmed and confounded. (MS.)

In the year 1799, in the State of New-York, a similar company assembled for the same purpose, and spent the evening in ridiculing every thing serious and sacred. The servants who attended them declared that they made a mock sacrament, and gave the bread to the dogs, saying it was fit for such animals. After they had broken up, the president of the club, who was a physician, retired to his lodging, and told his landlady he wished to go to bed; but said it was so damn'd hot he did not expect to sleep. Not long after, the woman heard him groaning dreadfully, and went to know what was the cause. She found the agonies of death had come to call him to answer for his conduct, and before morning he expired. (MS.)

In the City of Philadelphia, a like company associated themselves together every Sabbath, at a tavern, back of the city and when a certain number were collected, they chose their officers,-in doing which the rule was, he should be president who had never prayed; he should be vice-president who had never gone to church; and he should be secretary who had never read the scriptures. They then proceeded to business, which was to make a mock at every thing serious and sacred-at all ministers, and professors of religion-and they continued in this way for some time. At one of the anniversary days of our American Independence, one of them was taken very sick, and not long after was seized with great horror of mind. He sent for the person who writes this account

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