et,) before me, and I was turning to the left to pass round by the Bide opposite of the boat, thinking that I might yet find some game when seeing the men labouring hard to drag the tree they had felled towards the water, I altered my course, and went to their assistance. No sooner had I entered the boat than I discovered, on that side of the jungle to which I was first going, close to the beach, a large kayman, watching our motions, whom I should certainly have met had I gone round by the way I intended."-Haensel's Letters on the Nicobar Islands.

Sir,

BIBLES FOR SEAMEN.

To the Editor of the Evangelical Magazine.

In your valuable Magazine, some months back, I was rejoiced to find a Plan proposed for distributing the word of God among the Seamen in the Merchants' service. I wish it God-speed! I have been brought up to the sea; and, in the course of 40 years, have experienced many wonderful deliverances; but in every difficulty I always found in my Bible that which enabled me to trust in him whom winds and seas obey. In every storm I sought direction from it, and never was disappointed: it is the seaman's true guide. I therefore endeavoured to impress its value on the minds of my children, that they might continue to seek directions from it, as I had done.

In 1814, my son sailed from London for Canada. When he got as far as the Banks of Newfoundland, the ship sprung a leak. The wind being contrary, they bore up, to enable them to ply the pumps the better. Being a small vessel, they could relieve but one at a time; which they continued to do for six days and nights. In this period they broke up and hove over board a great part of the cargo; yet the water gained to four feet. At eight in the evening of the sixth day, it being my son's turn to be relieved, he, with his passengers, went down to wrestle with God. in prayer, which, with reading of the Scriptures, was their usual evening's em play. Before the time expired that he was to return to the pump, they were condoling with each other, and had given over all hopes that they would be able to keep the ship through the night. As they were standing, one on each side the table on which the Bible was laid, he opened the precious book, and the first passage that met his eye was Acts xxvii. 22. Now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there shall be no loss of any man's life amongst you, but the ship.' They encouraged each other with these words, and returned to the pump; and though before, he says, their arms were ready to fall from their sockets, their fears now fled, their strength was renewed, and they believed the Lord would deliver them.

T

In the course of the night the wind fell, and the weather be came fine. When day appeared, the man at the helm called out A sail!'-and to their great joy the vessel was steering direct for ⚫ them. They laid-to, (as it is termed,) took to their boats, and

History of John Robins the Sailor.

23

had but just time to save themselves and clothes; for a few hours after they had got on board the other ship, they saw their own go down. This is an instance of the value of the Bible. Though I am no advocate for cutting, as some have done, to find a promise to our case; but had 'they not possessed the Bible, and made it the man of their counsel,' they could not have taken the encouragement from it.

In this case, it not only strengthened their faith, but imparted, as it appeared, bodily strength also, I rejoice therefore, at the proposal. May the Lord make it effectual to the turning some from their vain courses! For a seaman to go without a Bible, he may as well go without a chart; but taking it for his guide, he need not fear; for in the greatest extremity he will find in it a course laid down, that will in the end direct him in safety to the haven of Eternal Rest. It is my sincere desire and prayer that every brother sailor may avail himself of this most valuable direction, and abide by its truths. Had I a voice to reach them all, I would say, Tempt not the faithless Ocean without this precious guide;" and to the owners I would say, 'Rather attempt to send your ship without a rudder than her crew without a Bible.'

1040

A SAILOR.

The History of John Robins the Sailor.

(Concluded from page 14.)

"I feel much obliged to you," said John Robins, "for your kind and earnest prayers, it is often a long time before God answers his people's prayers, but he never entirely forgets them, and his time is always the best; he has not only a bottle for their tears, but a register for their prayers. However, to continue my story, when I returned to the ship to which I was appointed, the remembrance of your goodness still dwelt upon my mind, and I felt ashamed of my ingratitude. I also, for want of some other amusement, often looked into some of the books and Tracts you had given me, though I too frequently did this that I might raise a joke, and excite laughter among my irreligious shipmates. Yet while I did this, the noisy laugh often concealed an agonized spirit and an accusing conscience. I could not be happy, and sometimes I almost cursed those kind instructors who taught me to read the Bible when young, because I could not sin without restraint, and enjoy my guilty pleasures without remorse.

46

Among the new comrades with whom I was sailing, there was one whose name was Isaac North, who always refused to join in our sinful amusements, and who frequently rebuked our ungodly mirth. We all of us joined to ridicule his piety; and he commonly went by the name of "the Methodist," or "the Parson," because he was fond of reading his Bible, and delighted in prayer. I have often heard our Captain say, with an oath, that he wished all his men were Methodists, if they would be as orderly and attentive to their duties as Isaac North. This man happened to see

24

History of John Robins the Sailor.

my Bible and the inscription you had written on it, and he also frequently borrowed my books to read, so that we were led into conversation, and he took the opportunity of alluding to the privileges I had possessed when young, and the awful manner in which I had abused them. I felt somewhat affected at Isaac's serious remarks on this subject, but I could not express my anger, because be was always so very kind and willing to oblige me or my companions, notwithstanding our foolish ridicule; for our ill names he always exchanged good deeds, so that we all respected him. One of Isaac's observations I could not easily forget, it occurred to my mind continually: "Jack," said he, "if a Sunday School boy becomes a wicked man, he is ten thousand times more guilty than an ignorant untaught sinner," for unto whomsoever much is given, of him much will be required.' Sometimes I listened to Isaac's instructions, when I could do it unobserved, and I very often wished that I was like him, for he always seemed cheerful and happy, though he refused to partake of our boisterous mirth and giddy joys.

"You may, perhaps, Sir, recollect Henry Brown, the coalheaver's son, who was turned out of your Sunday School, and who went to sea with me; he was our ring-leader in every sin, and was the most notorious character on board the ship. In an engagement with one of the enemies' vessels, he received a severe wound near the shoulder, and one of his legs was carried away with a grape shot, and shattered in a most dreadful manner. After we had taken the vessel, I went to see my old companion, and found that his life was in imminent danger. Oh, how was he altered! anguish was strongly marked on his countenance, and despair glared in his dying eyes. When he saw me, he exclaimed, Oh. John, take warning by my fate, I am wretched and undone for ever; I have no hope, no joy, no peace; my sins stand in array against me more terrible than the roaring cannon; there is no refuge for me to fly to, I am undone, I perish, I perish, for ever and ever." Alas! I could afford my companion no consolation, for I had been a partner in his sins; but I sent for Isaac, who rejoiced to obey the Saviour's command: "Bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.' When Isaac came, he endeavoured to direct his mind to serious subjects, and exhorted him to seek for mercy through Jesus Christ; but he exclaimed, there is no mercy for me, I have slighted all the invitations of mercy, and nothing but darkness, and despair, and misery lie before me.' Isaac attempted to pray with him, but he stopped him, and said, 'I have cursed and blasphemed my Maker through life; he will not hear ne now, 'tis too late; I feel my punishment begun already, and I have deserved all the righteous anger of Almighty God.' He soon became worse and worse, his feelings were insupportable, he sunk into a delirium; and as I stood by his bedside I saw him give a last convulsive struggle, and expire.—If I had died instead of my comrade, said I, how awful would my end have been ; I could have

6

History of John Robins the Sailor.

25

no hope of mercy, and should now be lifting up my eyes in misery. This solemn thought deeply affected my mind; especially, as I found, on retiring to my hammock, that my jacket had been shot through in two places, and that a ball had scarred the top of my hat.

"The impression produced by this alarming event was deep and lasting. I was led to review my past life, and to reflect on the sinfulness of my conduct, in abusing every privilege, in opposing the dictates of conscience, and in persisting so long to walk in the way of transgressors, though I found it to be hard. I saw that my sins were as the sand on the sea shore, innumerable; and I thought that there was no mercy for such a sinner as I had been. These reflections agitated my mind day after day; my former pleasures became insipid and disgusting, and I felt that I was like a shattered bark at sea, without sails or compass, and exposed to winds and waves on every side. Isaac noticed the difference in my con-duct, and he took an opportunity of conversing privately with me. I unbosomed myself to him, and related all my feelings and sorrows. He directed me to pray; he pointed out to me the gracious promises of the gospel; and kneeling down in a private part of the ship, he prayed fervently and affectionately for my immortal spirit. We had frequent opportunities of conversing together on religious subjects, and I trust that the divine blessing attended our conversations. And here I must gratefully acknowledge the unspeakable benefits which I derived from the early religious instruction I had received in your Sunday School. When my heart was truly awakened to a sense of my situation, as a sinner before God, I was not totally ignorant of the way of salvation, after being reminded by my friend of the early religious instructions I had received; but the subjects came afresh into my mind with prevailing power. I was enabled to fly to Jesus Christ for pardon and grace, as a poor sinner, trusting alone in his mercy, and committing my soul to his care. I at length was enabled to hope in the divine promise when I looked at the unfathomable ocean : "Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depth of the sea. Oh! may I hope that all my sins are buried in the ocean of my Saviour's love, so that they will be found no more for ever.

"I trust that from this time my mind became gradually more enlightened. The Bible you had given me became my chosen companion, and the good books, for which I have also to thank you, were of great use to me; and I shall have to bless God for them through eternity. I must say that I never found any true happiness till I had fled for refuge from the wrath to come, to the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world.' that, as I have sinned much, I might love him much, and serve him wholly. Oh, that we all might have strong consolation who have fled for refuge, to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have, as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil.'

Oh

"Just at this time, in boarding a French vessel, I received these scars in my face, lost one of my eyes, and had two or three wounds

26

History of John Robins the Sailor.

in my body, yet God preserved my life. While I was confined from active service by these wounds, I had much time for serious reflection, reading, and prayer, and I trust that the seed sown in my heart, by divine grace, was watered by this affliction and rendered fruitful.

"It would be tedious for me to mention all the events which have occurred in my adventurous life, and all the wonderful scenes which I have witnessed:" They that go down to the sea în ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet: so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh, that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!' I have been in every quarter of the Globe, I have fought in eleven different engagements, I have been twice shipwrecked; and notwithstanding all these perils, I have been preserved by the goodness of Almighty God. Oh that I loved him more and served him better!

66

My friend Isaac who joined with me in the battle of Trafalgar, there received a mortal wound, he lingered for a few days, and then expired. Oh how tranquil was his mind-he looked to heaven, his desired haven, with as much delight as the mariner beholds the first projecting rock of his native land, after a long and tiresome voyage. He was wafted by the gales of faith, and hope, and joy, with his streamers outspread, he launched into the ocean of eternity, and entered the port of everlasting bliss.

"About eighteen months ago I lost my leg by a cannon shot, in an action with an enemy's vessel of superior force, which struck her flag to us just after I had fallen on the deck from my wound. Happily, we were approaching near to Old England, and the amputation of my leg turned out favourably. God supported me under this severe trial, and when I landed at Portsmouth, I gradually recovered strength, and now I enjoy as good health as ever I possessed. I have found many good people in this place, and I have much enjoyed their company, and derived great benefit from attending the means of grace. Oh that the remembrance of all God's mercies might never be removed from my heart, and that I may always consider myself as a brand plucked out of the burn

ing."

Thus employed, John Robins the sailor, and I, spent the evening most pleasantly, and we closed it with prayer and praise. As I retired to rest, I felt exceedingly thankful to God that he had brought back one of my wandering lambs to his fold; I felt increasingty convinced of the inestimable benefits arising from early