which are transpiring on board. The Lord is with us of a truth. Yes, he is here making a wonderful display of his power and love, in the conviction and conversion of sinners. Believing that it will gratify the heart of my Mother, I will attempt to give her some account of this pleasing work from its commencement to the present time. As near as I can learn, the person of whom I last wrote had some serious impressions the first sabbath on which we had public worship. These, however, were transitory. During the week he became as light as usual, and continued so until a bout four weeks since, when he was again powerfully awakened to a sense of eternal things. Af ter much distress, he obtained relief to his mind, and gives satisfactory evidence that he has experienced a gracious change. This single instance of conversion excited, I trust, our gratitude, and greatly encouraged our hearts. We were stimulated to be more importunate at the throne of grace. Nor did the Lord turn a deaf ear to the voice of our supplications. He is now pouring upon us the blessings of his grace in rich abundance. The Holy Spirit is descending like "rain upon the mown grass," softening the hearts of sinners, and causing them to produce the "peaceable fruits of righteousness."

On Thursday morning Brother Titcomb saw one of the sailors, whom he teaches navigation,standing at the helm. He observed to him, that at a certain hour in the forenoon, he would come forward for the purpose of giving him some instruction. He replied, "You need not come to day, for I have some thing of more importance than navigation to attend to." He then freely related the distress which he felt on account VOL. II.

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of sin.

Mr. Colman conversed with him in the evening, and found him deeply concerned for his soul. It may not be uninteresting to Mamma, if I write a few of his expressions. Said he," when I first came on board I was a swearing creature. I was continually using curious expressions, and telling stories, which I made myself, to cause laughter among my companions. I thought myself one of the best fellows on earth. But now I find myself to be very sinful. I wonder that God has not before this sent me to hell. Frequently when I have been at mast-head, and been plagued with the sails, I have wished that the mast would break, and carry me overboard. Last summer I fell from the mast-head to the deck. When I recovered my senses, I wondered that God had not taken away my life, as I had so often desired. him to do. I thought no more of it then, but I think much of it now. I view myself to be the worst sinner on earth. I hope God will have mercy on me."

On Friday afternoon Brother Wheelock spent a considerable time conversing and praying with the sailors.

He observed that there was a general solemnity on their minds. He and Mr. C. both visited them in the evening. When they returned, they remarked, that the scenes which they had witnessed, were calculated to melt the hardest heart. Those who but a few days ago were living in opposition to God, and profaning his sacred name, were now falling upon their knees, and appeared greatly distressed on account of their past transgressions. One person, who six days ago did not believe there was a God, or a devil, a heaven, or a hell, and made a ridicule of divine things, was now pierced to the heart, and anxiously inquired,

"what must I do to be saved?" Another put his hand upon his breast, and exclaimed, "what a load of guilt is here!" Indeed

the cry for mercy was general. After leaving the sailors they met Mr.* and conversed with him. He was much affected, and observed that be frequently thought upon the subject of religion. He is a young man of excellent morals, and possesses an amiable disposition. We long to have him become a christian.

O Mamma, I wish that it was in my power to give you an adequate description of our felicity. We cannot be otherwise than overwhelmed with gratitude, while recollecting the Lord's goodness towards us. Previous to the display of mercy which I have mentioned, we felt, I humbly trust, ardent desires for the conversion of those around us. But we almost despaired of seeing these desires gratified. Nay, we had no idea of witnessing such glorious displays of divine grace. But in every age the Lord has proved himself to be a prayer hearing, and a prayer answering God. We have now found him to be such by happy experience. Well do I recollect the wish of our dear friends in America: "May all the ship's company be given you." No doubt their prayers have since frequently mingled with ours, around the throne of grace, in pleading for the salvation of the precious souls in this ship. Our united petitions have, I believe, ascended to God like a cloud of incense, and now we are receiving gracious

answers.

As I was walking on deck this morning, I observed to Mr. C. that it appeared like a new place. No noise was heard from the sailors; but their solemn counte

nances indicated their inward distress. Down the cheeks of one of them, the tears of godly sorrow profusely flowed. He looked like the picture of despair.

Sabbath Evening, Feb. 22. This has, indeed, been a day of rest to my soul. I have not spent so happy a sabbath since I lost sight of my dear native land. Fain would I describe the interesting season to Mamma; but "thought is poor, and poor expression." In the morning, had a pleasant meeting in our apartment. We sat together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. For a while, I lost sight of the world, and all its dazzling beauties. My soul mounted towards heaven as on eagles' wings, and held, as I humbly trust, sweet converse with its Saviour and its God.

In the afternoon, Mr. C. delivered a discourse on deck, from John iii. 16. "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, &c." The sailors appeared to receive the word both willingly and joyfully. The pleasure which beamed from the countenances of the regenerated, and the tears which flowed from the broken hearted, filled me with the most solemn and grateful emotions. I could not but exclaim, "What bath God wrought!" Every thing around wore a new and delightful aspect. With the spacious firmament for my only covering, and the unfathomable deep below, and all around me,I was as happy as I could have been on the solid ground, encircled with the dear people of God, in his earthly courts. What an interesting scene is now passing before our eyes! It fills me with joy, and causes me at times to forget my native land, and my beloved friends. I re

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM REV.

JOHN LAWSON.

Wednesday, Feb. 25. Met this afternoon for social worship. Some interesting remarks were made from the 5th chap.of James. Had some pleasing conversation respecting the recent displays of divine mercy among the sailors. I will assure you, Mamma, that what we have lately witnessed, animates our souls, and gives a new zest to our meetings. Since I last wrote, another person has become a hopeful convert.

Friday, Feb. 27. How great is the goodness of the Lord! His mercies are new every morning, and fresh every evening. I have the pleasing satisfaction to record another instance of conversion on board. The Swede, whom Mr. Colman instructs, has, several weeks past, expressed a deep solicitude for the welfare of his soul. Within a few days, his distress has been very great. But last evening he was delivered from it, while reading the 9th chap. of John. Mr. C. instructed him this afternoon as usual. He also conversed with him respecting the happy change which he had lately experienced. He spoke much about the Saviour. A belief in him is evidently the foundation of his hope. This morning as I walked on deck, I saw him at the helm. His looks bore testimony that a happy change had taken place in his feelings. The other day he looked as though sorrow was his chief companion; but now the smile of joy illumined his countenance."

CALCUTTA, May 12, 1818.

My dear brother Sharp,

I received your kind letter not by the hands of our brethren, Wheelock and Colman, but by a ship that arrived very soon after them. We have lately formed in this place, an "Auxiliary Baptist. Missionary Society." We were obliged to try this method with our friends of the Church and Congregation at Lal Bazar Chapel; it has succeeded well, and we are now furnished with the means of doing much for the salvation of the heathen. Before this Society was formed, we had built two neat meeting-houses, which were well attended two or three times a week by the natives. We have now sufficient funds to enable us to build 4 or 5 more such places of worship, to support some native preachers, and also to enable us to build a house for native preachers and inquirers. We find that the plan we have adopted of building little places in different parts of the city, is much better than going about in the lanes and streets, and preaching in a desultory manner. In the latter case, the missionary is liable to much interruption, and even to the interference of the police officers. This has actually happened in more than one instance. Brother E. Carey was out one day with a native brother, talking with two or three poor men, when one of these officers came up with his sword and shield, and said, "You are Carey's people, and Carey's people are all bad, and my master has given us orders to drive away Carey's people wherever we can find them." But under a thatch

meeting-house, which is erected at a very trifling expense, we can assemble without being interrupted by any one: As we rent the ground, the poor natives in such a place as this, feel themselves under an obligation to be less impertinent and loquacious, as it is the house of a Sahib.

We have not had many additions to our church lately. O that the Spirit of grace may refresh us! I have often read in our prayer meetings, accounts of revivals in America, from your Magazine, and have earnestly prayed that some of that blessed influence which animates your towns, and villages, and congregations, might be conveyed across the ocean to these desolate lands, that the streams might begin to flow in the desert.

The arrival of the ship Inde pendence, from America, with our dear brethren, Wheelock and Colman gave us much pleasure. Their labours during their voyage have been remarkably blessed to a number on board the ship. The particulars you will learn from them; but according to all accounts, a very deep work has been wrought on the minds of many of the sailors; and a revival-a general and solid awakening amongst men so notorious for wickedness as poor seamen generally are, is perhaps an unprecedented thing in the history of reformations. I think it is altogether new in the history of missionary voyages. Too much

cannot be said of the christian friendship of Mr. Titcomb, the supercargo; and the politeness and steady countenance of Capt. Bangs. Had they opposed (as is the case with too many) any attempt of their passengers to evangelize a dissolute crew, we might never have heard of this revival at sea. From this event we see how much good may be done to souls, when the captain

and supercargo of a vessel concur with the wishes of their missionary passengers. What peace and comfort are introduced on board the happy vessel. What drunkenness and swearing are prevented; how are the tedious hours of a long voyage beguiled, and health and sobriety promoted! for instead of seeing this crew rolling about in the gutters of Calcutta, exposed to sun and rain in a state of intoxication, we had the pleasure of seeing nearly all of them at worship the first sabbath after their arrival; dressed as neat and as clean as we could wish; and fresh health and peace depicted as strongly as possible on their weather-beaten faces.

I recollect during our voyage from England to New-York, the captain used often to swear at table, that if any Methodist (for by this name he designated all religious people) should attempt any thing like preaching on board his vessel, he would immediately heave him overboard. But I would fain hope that the world is improving, and that missionaries will at length be so common, that they will longer be stared at as outlandish animals, nor feared as the monsters who turn the world upside down.

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