RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

of articles of agreement, by which to regulate their conduct. They resolved to meet, when such of their number were off duty, in that part of the ship which was the most convenient, with those who were on watch. As their principles and conduct had excited the attention of their shipmates, and exposed them to a considerable degree of persecution, they thought it necessary to enter into some rules, to regulate their behaviour toward them: they resolved, to be cheerfully ready to render them any kind offices; to be attentive to the sick; to endure with patience, and without contradiction, the reproaches and even ill-treatment of their persecutors. It was supposed their association would soon reach the ears of their officers, and excite a scrutinous attention to their conduct; it was therefore agreed, that they should consider themselves under more than ordinary obligation to be attentive to the duty of the ship, and always to be the first to obey their officers: any wilful deviation from this rule, was to exclude the delinquent from their society.

As they possessed but one Bible, it was agreed that the person most at leisure for the day should have the use of it, and should commit to memory certain portions of the word of God, in order to repeat them to the others when they should meet, which was frequently in the dark, after the watch was set. Having likewise but one hymn-book, this was disposed of in the same manner; and these hymns were repeated or sang as they had opportunity. Among their number was a German, an Irishman, and a Scotchman: the others were English. These were brought to the knowledge of the Gospel by the conversation of one good man. He had been a member of an Independent Church; but from dire necessity, arising from domestic evils, was constrained to enter as a common sailor. This man, by his principles, his example, and conversation, was the mean of usefulness, to a degree that would gladden the hearts of many mi nisters in the kingdom, could they reflect upon as happy effects resulting from their pastoral labours in the space of two years.

Previous to the battle of the Nile, "s many as had opportunity associated for prayer, and committed themselves and each other to God, — supposing they might never meet one another again, as they were then in sight of the French fleet. Their ship was in the heat of the action; but they were all mercifully preserved in the day of battle, not one of then being either killed or wounded.

233

Two of their number were placed at one
gun, where three of their shipmates
were killed by one ball; but they were
not injured. Such preservation very
properly excited their attention; and
the first opportunity, after the confusion
of the battle, they met, to congratulate
each other on their safety, with such
feelings as none but those who have
passed through such bloody and perilous
scenes can understand. They now re-
solved to appoint a time for thanksgiv
ug to Him who had so remarkably an-
swered their prayers. When they came
into this port, it appeared their co duct
had gained the confidence of their su
periors; for on one-half their number
asking for leave to go on shore, think-
ing it improper for the whole to go at
once, the commanding officer, much like
a gentleman, when he was informed
they wished to spend the Sabbath on
shore, for the purpose of worship, said,
You may go; and take all your party
with you.
He fixed the time of their
returning on Monday; which they were
careful to do, an hour at least before the
one appointed. They found their way
to our place of worship. It being the
day of the administration of the Lord's
Supper, having myself seen the rules'
of their society, and conversed freely
with each of them, they were cheer-
fully admitted to holt fellowship with
us at the Table of the Lord. Such a day
they had never before experienced. I
found these area much better acquainted
with doctrinal, experimental, and prac
tical divinity, than could have been rea-
sonably expected. But with the Bible
in their hands, and the Holy Spirit for
their teacher, is it any woader they were
well taught!

Some weeks since, i received a letter from a sailor, torming me of the means of his conversion to God, and of the severe trials be had experienced in cansequence. He had converse with some of his shipmates who were ill, ant oceasionally with others, about their lost condition as sinners, and of the neces si'y of faith in Christ for salvation. This exposed him to much derision and i-treatment. In another letter he informs me, he had obtained the comidence of one of his officers, who had before persecuted him as a fanatic, but who, upon a more careful observance of his conduct, had made him his servant, and appointed him to a place of trust. His attention to duty, his being pungtual to his instructions when sent on shore, and his readiness to serve others, began to break the teeth of prejudice, and to abate the virulence of persecu tion. Two occasions of imminent dange

learnt, there is, notwithstanding the
increase of infidelity, a considerable re-
verence for the book of God, even
amongst our sailors. The price which
Bibles obtain at public auctions, and
even with pawnbrokers, where, it is true,
they will sometimes be found, proves,
that there are not yet too many Bibles
in the land.
Portsea.

J. G.

to the ship and crew, afforded him an I bave heard of none. As far as I have opportunity of displaying a cool and collected courage, surpassed by none of his shipmates. An event occurred, which still more completely changed their persecuting temper into respect and admiration. One of the sailors fell overboard in a tremendous storm: no one volunteering to attempt the rescue of the sinking sailor from death, he offered, if any one would join him, to risk his life to save his comrade's. Another immediately united with him; and at the most imminent hazard of their own lives, rescued their drowning fellow-creature from a watery grave. Instead of the appellation Methodist being now scornfully applied to him, as before, it was vociferously repeated through the ship's company, “Well done, Methodist! that's noble, Methodist ! - a good Methodist is a good fellow!" He has since enjoyed the goodwill of the sailors; and endeavours to improve the contidence he has obtained, to advance their best interest.

I am

A few Bibles in the hands of such a man, would be more likely to answer the end designed by the benevolent subscribers to the Navy and Array BibleSociety, than by supplying vast numbers to one ship, while others, because not applied for by the officers, are left destitute of the advantages of this invaluable institution. Were some persons appointed in all the sea-ports, who would feel it their duty to sock for some of the more serious ailors on board each ship, and give a few for them to distribute, it would very much further the design of this institution. aware, there are persons appointed, to whom application may be made for Bibles; but whoever considers the character of the British sailors; how auch they are at sea, and the little means they possess of being informed of these persuns and places, will readily perceive that this is not sufficient. Some persons on the spot, who possess the means of information, and would discriminate cbjects and occasions, by prudently directing the liberality of others, wou d greatly advance the best interest of that part of the community upon whom, under God, we are most dependent for the preservation of our property, our lives, and our liberties. I have mentioned this, supposing that, through your means, it may meet the attention of the conductors of that institution, or the liberality of those who love the British sailors. Some might suggest, that giving Bibles to sailors might be a benevolence abused: there may be some such instances; but I have seen,

Union of Independents.

THE want of a General Union among the Congregational or Independent churches in Great Britain, has been long felt and lamented; and wherever this subject has engaged the serious attention of ministers and others, a conviction of its vast importance has prevailed. It is perceived, that by the sanction and aid of such a Union, were it wisely and firmly established, such great objects as the following might be more easily and extensively promoted: Newly-raised congregations might reccive pecuniary assistance, until they should be able to maintain a settled minister ;-advice might be given to such congregations, as to the proper manner of making deeds of trust, and other difficulties attending the establishment of new interests: encourage

ment might be afforded to young men possessing gifts for the ministry, in order to their being introduced, at a proper time, into our evangelical academies; a mode might be adopted for a free communication between the County Associations and that formed by the regular churches in the metropolis; an Aimual Confereace might be held in London, and the other principal cities in the kingdom.— That these and other interesting objects connected with the spread and support of the gospel may be fully considered and discussed, à Meeting will be held at St. Paul's Coffee-louse, on Saturday morning, in the Missionary Week, May 17, 1806, at Ten o'clock.

POOR PIOUS CLERGYMEN. In the year 1783, a Society for the relief of Poor Pious Clergymen residing in the country, was instituted in London, "The life of a minister," it is justly observed by this Society," is, and must he, a warfare in any situation; but when, besides his varions exercises as a minister, his feelings as a man are incessantly agitated by the superaddieų

RELIGIOUS

pressure of poverty: when the hours he would devote to the edification of his people are embittered by the intrusion of anxious care, how to avoid contracting debts, or how to discharge them: when the anguish with which the distresses of a wife or children must affect a tender mind, follow him into the study and the pulpit, the hardships of such a man call fondly for compassion and relief.

Considerations like these gave rise to this Society, which has been the happy instrument of alleviating the distresses of many worthy evangelical ministers, and which we hope will be supported with a liberality worthy of its benevolent object.

Ano

By letters received during the last year by the committee, it appears that one clergyman who receives a donation from it, has nine children to support, with the yearly stipend of 40k ther, who has eleven in family and serves three curacies, has a salary of 451. Another has a wife and ten children, whose whole preferment amounts to 481. Another states, that his stipend is only 31. and he has five children to maintain.

The Society has distributed during the last year 1360l. a considerable sum, but inadequate to the numerous claims made on this benevolent institution.

Subscriptions are received by A. Martin, Esq. Finch Lane, Cornhill, London; G. Thorne, Esq. Wine Street, Bristol; Mr. Beilby, Birmingham; and Rev. E. Edwards, Lynn, Norfolk.

Welsh Congregations in the Borough,

Deptford, and Woolwich.

INTELLIGENCE.

Iv this great metropolis, inhabited by people of almost every nation, there are places for divine worship where service is performed in the Dative language of each, though many of them are not entirely ignorant of the English tongue. It is sad, however, to reflect that, among the Welsh, a class of people so eminent for humane and generous principles, and so concerned for the eternal welfare of their own souls and those of others, the preaching of the gospel in this part of the world hath been too much neglected.

It is generally, allowed, that there are hundreds (if not thousands) of them residing in and about London, consisting mostly of the lower class, who are unable to understand an English sermon; and consequently the privileges of the gospel have been neglected, the Lord's Day profaned, and their time spent in dissipation and vice.

235

About the year 1800 a few well-disposed friends, taking into consideration the lamentable state of their countrymen, and finding it bordering upon that of the barbarian, began the glorious work, in order that the gospel might be preached to them in the abovementioned places in their native language; and the Lord hath been graciously phased to succeed their undertaking:-" Many were brought out of darkness into light."

In July 1804, it was agreed by the congregations, seeing that the fields were ripe for the harvest, to send to the brethren in Wales for labourers; and the Lord hath inclined some very able ministers from thence to come up to preach the gospel and administer the sacrament, and who, since that time, have supplied alternately (i. e. each for three months); and it is hoped they will continue so to do until a stated minister be procured:

But the members of the above congregations, though unmerous, consist ing chiefly of the lower rank of people, who get their livelihood by hard labour, are unable to defray the heavy expences that they must unavoidably incur by the rent of the chapel, the journies and support of their ministers, which obliges them earnestly to solicit the aid of the religious public to support a laudable canse, hoping that they who have felt the sweet enjoyment of the gospel in their own souls, may, through their benevolence, be the means of bringing many to feel the same, who have hitherto lived entire strangers to it, resting confident that they will be amply recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

Subscriptions are thankfully received by J. Thomas, No. 26, Bartlett's Buildings, Holborn, London; and by Jenkin Davies, Rope Walk, Flagou Row, Deptford.

Tuesday, April 8, Richard Patch was executed at the top of the county prison, Horsemonger Lane, Southwark, for the wilful murder of Isaac Blight, Slupbreaker, of Greenland Dock; an immense crowd being assembled to witness the melancholy scene.

This ungrateful max was first introduced to Mr. Blight in the spring of 1803, as velortunate and distressed; and the brother of his then servantmaid. Mr. Blight gave him immediate employ; and, after some time, raised his salary to 100 l. per ann. In 1805, Mr. Blight consented to take him into - partnership, on the payment of 1 2501.

of which he paid 250 1.; and gave a pretended draft on a Mr. Goom for the remaining Icco. Before this became due, he contrived to substitute another draft, which delayed the payment till Mr. Blight went to Margate, Sept. 19. The next evening he sent the servant on an errand; and while she was gone, went out and fired a shot through the parlour-window; and then gave the alarm, as though it had been fired at him by a stranger without. The next day he wrote to Mr. Blight, relating the circumstance, and requesting his return; which was complied with on the 23d. Patch came to town, pretending to see if the draft was honoured; but what he said on his return is unknown: the whole, however, it has since appeared, was an impudent forgery. In the evening, after drinking tea and grog together, Mr. Blight was sleepy, and fell into a doze; when Patch watched his opportunity, shot him in the bowels, then suddenly with drew, and immediately returning, appeared to be much alarmed, pretending to come to his assistance.

Thus was

this infatuated man led on from sin to sin, till at last he shed the blood of his friend and benefactor. He now affected to suspect one, and then another, of the fact; bur the situation of the premisses, and the circumstances of the case appeared to fix the crime upon himself; and that Providence, which maketh inquisition for blood, baffled all his art in attempting to conceal it.

re

He re

The Rev. W. Mann (chaplain to the prison) had an interview with the criminal before the trial, when he was received with much civility and propriety; and notwithstanding he used great plainness and fidelity, at the prisoner's request, the visit was peated. Previous to trial, confession is seldom to be expected; but after his conviction, it was strongly pressed upon Patch, as a duty he owed to the world, to the jury which had tried him, and to the family of the deceased. plied, with many tears and apparent contrition, "I have confessed all my sins to God. Ile knew them before [ confessed them; but I have laid them all before him: I have concealed nothing. I forgive all my enemies and all my prosecutors; and I hope that God, for Christ's sake, will forgive mie. This was invariably his language; and when urged upon the subject, he seemed distressed aud grieved, as if he had some reasons for his silence, which he was unwilling to diVulge. "Do not press me," said he;

"I have said all that I can say.” On the subject being renewed in the chapel, he was overwhelmed with it; and taking Mr. Mann by the hand, in the most tender manner, thanked him for his attention, both in public and in private; and blessed God he had been brought under Iris instructions. "Since you have been with me this morning," he added, "I have been happier than I ever was in my whole life: I am willThe ing to suffer: I am ready to go.

Lord have mercy on my soul, for Je sus Christ's sake!" Still, however, he continued silent as to the fact for which he suffered, though we are assured he never, in any form whatever, denied it to Mr. Mann. In this inconsistency he persevered to his last moments; for when upon the scafold, the High Sheriff again affectionately entreated him, he still refused; and turning away, said, he wished to hear Mr. Mann. At this moment he leaned back, and was checked by the cord. This was variously interpreted; but was probably the effect of faintness. After this he whispered a few words to Mr. Ives (the keeper) which were immediately supposed to be his confession; but which, we are assured, had not the smallest relation to the subject.

After his body had hung the usual time, to complete the awful sentence of the law, it was conveyed to St. Thomas's Hospital for dissection.Thus lived and died this unhappy man, a melancholy instance of the progress of sin, which, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." We have been more particular in enumerating these circumstances, as we were favoured with them by Mr, Mann himself, in order to contradict the many erroneous accounts which have been circulated in the public prints.

In consequence of a project for the revival of the stage-coaches between Glasgow and Edinburgh on Sundays, to accommodate a numerous body of travellers, who have occasion to pass and repass to those places on that day in particular, -the Presbytery of Glasgow have had a meeting, to take the subject under their serious consideration, and oppose it by every possible means. In their observations, which they have published, they state, that "they contemplate with dread the awful change which must follow the introduction of this practice on the mo rals of the people of Scotland."-They ad, that "the mail-coach may be a work of necessity, but that the employment of stage-coaches oa the Lord's