The Pilot, or Sailors' magazine. [Continued as] Sailors' magazine

DUNSE, BERWICKSHIRE.

FROM THOMAS GEORGE BELL, ESQ., HON. SECRETARY, NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE. We rejoice to find that a great interest is beginning to be awakened on behalf of sailors, in this northern part of the kingdom. Our Newcastle Committee are extending their operations, and at the same time it is gratifying to report, that Christian friends in various places offer of their substance in aid of the good work. An Auxiliary has been formed at Dunse, and a pious and active individual--the lady of a lieutenant in the navy--has taken the office of secretary. Each congregation in the town has united in the work, and an influential Ladies' Committee is formed, by two individuals being deputed from each congregation. The following extracts from letters, addressed to the secretary in Newcastle, will be read with interest :

"We do esteem it a high privilege to be permitted to attempt doing a little for the glory of our God and Saviour. I will relate a little circumstance, that you may see the interest in the good cause is not decreasing. In consequence of a communication from the captain, I wished to send a parcel of books or magazines, &c., to Berwick. I set out on Monday morning to solicit contributions, and on Wednesday evening I had the happiness of sending him upwards of 750 magazines, besides a very large quantity of tracts. If they are found to be acceptable, I do not doubt that we could very soon send another box. I had a very kind note from the Hon. Mrs. -, yesterday; she will subscribe £1 to our branch. We have now

about £11."

"I am glad to think that the sailors' cause, after being for years overlooked and neglected, has at length taken root in this district. Your interesting details and powerful appeals in the public meetings at Kelso and Dunse have been frequently spoken about, and, like a little leaven, have already leavened the whole lump. I believe, with a little effort, you may have branch societies in all parts of Berwickshire. Let me entreat you to persevere. I do not doubt all the ministers of Christ, were the cause once properly explained to them, will come forward unanimously on your behalf."

We may add to these extracts, that arrangements have been made for the holding of public meetings during the next few weeks, at Berwick-on-Tweed, Dunbar, North Berwick, and Haddington, all in this part of Scotland.

MILFORD.

THE REPORT OF CAPTAIN JOHN LEWIS, SEAMEN'S MISSIONARY.

Time reminds me that I have to redeem my pledge of writing monthly, instead of every other month, and fortunately the labour of the past month leaves me no excuse for lack of matter. I may with much greater truth plead lack of time, for the unsettled state of the weather has brought fresh shipping into the harbour daily, keeping me almost constantly afloat, or conversing with seamen on their landing. I have never felt more encouraged in the work than during the last few weeks, having had the help of some pious captains and seamen at our various meetings. At an interesting meeting on board the H, of S, the master being a pious man, and concerned for the welfare of his crew, more especially for the mate, who had hitherto been entirely careless about his best interest. During the whole of the service he seemed to be deeply thoughtful and attentive, and, to the surprise of the captain and crew, followed the Bethel Flag in the afternoon to another vessel, and at night came on shore to attend evening service. Observing his conduct, I took an opportunity of going on board the next morning to have a little conversation with him, when he appeared truly humbled for his past mis-spent life, and promised, by the help of God, to forsake his evil practices, and henceforth to walk in the fear of the Lord. May strength from above be given him.

After a meeting on board the A-, of W- I was much pleased to hear from the captain that a friend of his (the master of the W- -, of W on board of whose ship we had some delightful meetings) had become a decidedly changed character. I had good hope of him, and made allusion to those meetings in a former letter. I was most thankful to find, from the account I received, that our intercourse here had proved a blessing. He is now exhibiting the character and conduct of a renewed mind. A short time since, while calling at one of the lodging-houses, I was much gratified by a statement made by a young woman respecting her brother, whose death bed she had lately attended at Liverpool. He was master of a vessel and had frequented our Bethel meetings in this harbour. She said his frequent allusions to them proved what a powerful effect they had had on his mind; and in his latest moments he referred to them with gratitude and praise. Oh, for many more such blessed testimonies ! In relating facts as they come into review, they will appear (like my work) of a varied character. Whilst distributing tracts amongst the crew of a vessel, a flippant youngster, a Papist, asked me, “ Have you any tracts about 'Tom Thumb,' or 'Jack the Giant Killer,' or something of that kind? they will suit me best." I told him I had no tract about man-killing, but had a little book which spoke of giving life to the dead, and most probably he had never read that, and would he read it if I gave him one? With a half promise he got possession of the book, a Pocket Testament, which he carefully carried below. May we not hope that this precious seed may one day bring forth fruit unto life.

During one of the late gales, a poor lad belonging to an Irish schooner, whilst at work in the main crosstrees, fell on deck, broke his two thighs and left arm, also dislocated the elbow joint. He now lies here at one of the lodging-houses; I see him almost daily; I found him a poor ignorant Papist, but his mind seems daily opening to receive the truth. He reads the Scriptures with assiduity, and our valuable tracts are a source of great comfort and instruction; he is always ready to have them changed when I call. I trust, with his fractured limbs, there will be added, by the spirit of God, a broken and a contrite heart, and this poor Roman Catholic boy may yet testify to the power of God to save souls. In my next, I hope to give you some further particulars about him.

I have been greatly refreshed, as alluded to in the former part of my letter, by falling in lately with pious captains. From one I received nearly 1,000 Welsh tracts, and a fine harvest our late Welsh arrivals have reaped from this very timely gratuity, as I felt it my duty to sow the seed with no sparing hand, complying with the command, Freely ye have received, freely give.' Another zealous and nobleminded Christian, who dates his conversion to a Bethel meeting in Dublin, followed the Flag every opportunity, and, with his crew, assisted in the services. He has had the satisfaction of seeing the whole crew converted to God. If these are the effects of Christian efforts among seamen, who will not come to the help of the Lord against the mighty? I must withhold, I am going beyond the limits of prudence, and conclude by giving a summary of my labours during the past month. I am happy to say I have been enabled to hold seventeen Bethel meetings afloat; sailors in attendance, 170 ; visited 307 vessels. Distributed 600 English and 630 Welsh tracts. Sold, English Bibles, 26; Welsh, 41; English Testaments, 27; Welsh ditto, 11. Lodging-houses visited, 10; seamen's families, 30; visits to the sick, 32.

INDEX.

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Affectionate Remonstrance with Christians and the British Public, on behalf