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buted last year $11 06 to the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

American Bible Society's House.-The following is a general description of the American Bible Society's House.--The front of the building is 50 feet upon Nassau-street, and extends back 30 feet, when it is contracted to the breadth of 30 feet, and runs that width to Theatre-alley 70 feet-making the whole depth from front to rear 100 feet. In the basement are rooms for the accommodation of the keeper and his family, a large cellar, and rooms for fuel for the various occupants of the building. On the first floor of the front part of the house is one large room for the use of the agent, and two smaller ones for the secretaries and committees. The rest of this floor is devoted to the general purposes of a depository for the books issued by the society, and will hold nearly 60,000 Bibles and Testaments. On the second story in front is the room appropriated to the use of the managers. This occupies the entire front of the house, and is 50 by 30 feet, including the walls, and 16 feet in height, and is neatly but not splendidly finished. The rear is divided into two rooms for the use of the binder, as is the corresponding room in the third story-the front of both being taken up by the managers' room. The third story of the front, and the fourth of the rear, are occupied by the printer. There are 12 presses in the office, six of which are devoted to the society's service, and as many more are to be employed as they may require.

Notices and Acknowledgments.

Reviewer Reviewed, Christian Union, &c.-We approve, substantially, of the remarks of "C. U." upon the Rev. Mr. Strong's sermon, and upon the subject of Christian Union; but his observations on our review of that publication in our number for January 4, do not appear to us altogether candid. He appears to us to evade the distinction between the Mosaic and Christian dispensation, instead of showing that the "principles, promises and threatenings" of the Mosaic economy are applicable to communities at the present time, and are actually carried into effect. His inferences are derived from premises not contained in our review, or in the article entitled "Thoughts on the late fever." We treated not of the "principles, promises and threatenings," of the Bible at large, nor did our correspondent "L.," but of those pertaining to the government of the Jews, commonly denominated the Theocracy. We would recommend to C. U. to be quite sure and able to show that there was nothing peculiar in that government, and that its "principles, promises and threatenings" are realized in the experience of communities now, before he charges those who are of a contrary opinion, with such consequences, as that of lowering the authority of the word of God, depriving him of the government of the world, &c. We are confident, that upon reflection, he will not himself justify the insinuation of motives hostile to the Scriptures, upon grounds so slender, as his own doubtful construction of what we advanced, respecting the distinction between the Mosaic and Christian dispensation. Perhaps upon further consideration he will think as we do, that a principal reason why the Old Testament is not better understood, and more highly valued, is, that this very distinction is so commonly overlooked or disallowed.

C. U. erroneously and unwarrantably charges us with applying the phrases, "ignorance, prejudice, hypocrisy and ecclesiastical quackery," to the author of the

sermon.

We did no such thing; and it appears to us that any reader, who should

imagine that we meant to apply these to Mr. Strong, must have a more unfavourable opinion of him than we have.

C. U. imputes to us a design in our review, with respect to some particular class of men, which we did not avow. We had a far higher object in view than he seems to suppose we could have arrived at. We are quite willing that he should enjoy the opinion that we entirely failed, because we called things by their right names, and because we noticed nothing praiseworthy in the sermon, and only a few of its faults. Perhaps it did not occur to him, that he committed the same offence, by his unqualified censure of our review, that he so gravely charges upon the review itself! However, he has supplied our defect both of censure and praise, in a way not calculated, we should think, to afford the author much consolation. We agree with him to refer it to our readers to decide, whether he has been more happy in his remarks upon the sermon itself, than we have been. "Israel Delivered," and " Practical Education, No. VII," will be inserted, We are much obliged to a respected friend, for pointing out the excellent remarks, on "Well regulated views of ministerial labour, &c.," and shall give them an early insertion.

"B.," and several other communications are received, which we have not now time to notice.

Domestic Missions.-We had prepared an abstract of the 1st and 2nd numbers of the monthly sheet, published by the "United Domestic Missionary Society," but it is deferred for the present, as we expect to stitch the 2nd up with this number of our work, for the use of distant subscribers. A more excellent tract, on the subject of Domestic Missions is rarely to be met with, either in reports of societies, or religious publications.

Collections made by the Rev. C. F. Frey, for the A. S. M. C. J. since the

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6th of January.

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175 00 Also received at Baltimore a breast pin
111 00 and a gold ring.

114 00

Moneys received into the Treasury of the A. S. M, C. I. during the month

of February.

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The following, enclosing a handsome silver freemason's medal, was received during the last month by the Treasurer of the society.

"The enclosed medal, dear to me from the lively remembrance of scenes and representations which its ancient hieroglyphies but faintly delineate, I part with, as a token of my great interest in the canse of Christ, with this hope, that the Grand Master to whom I have bound myself by the most solemn and sacred obligations will cause it to be disposed of to his glory. I yield it as a mite to the Treasury of the Lord, particularly for the benefit of that people who crucified the Saviour, and now refuse to own his name.

"High as my veneration is for that fraternity of which I am a member, yet higher are my obligations to Him who died for me, and other poor sinners, that we might live and reign with him for ever."

Seaman's Magazine.

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. Psalms.

For the Seaman's Magazine.

WHERE IS THE SAILOR BOY NOW?

..

ONE day as I was walking along a quay in this city, mine eye caught the glimpse of some falling object, which seemed to have been violently precipitated from the mast head of a vessel into the water. At first, I suspected that it must have been something belonging to the vessel, but after a moment's reflection, I was partly persuaded that it was a fellow-mortal. Observing, however, a man hastening in his boat towards the place where the object had fallen, and being told by a gentleman standing near me, that if it were a person he would probably be saved, my fears subsided. Seeing a hat floating on the water, I soon proceeded to the place and inquired of the man in the boat, whether the person who had sunk, had been seen to rise on the surface of the water he answered, No"-and seemed to be waiting to ascertain in what part he would probably rise. After a few moments of awful suspense, an iron grappling was procured to draw him out of the water. But all efforts in this respect were unavailing. The water being twenty feet in depth, it was the opinion of all present, that it would be impracticable for any one to plunge into the water at such a depth in order to save the life of the individual. O, what a heart-rending scene! I knew not what to do. It was a moment of solemnity and silence. The train of reflections which I had, I can but faintly describe. Surely, thought I, here is an immortal being in the very agonies of dissolution. After a few more struggles, the lamp of life will be extinguished, and the spirit will stretch its pinions for eternity. Perhaps it has already left its tabernacle, and entered upon its everlasting destiny.

"Up to the courts where angels dwell,

It mounts triumphant there;

Or devils plunge it down to hell

In infinite despair."

Being in some mea

O, how solemn the consequence of this hour! sure agitated, I sprang into the boat, resolving to plunge and make one effort to find the body; but being told that it would be useless, and that I too might share the same fate, I desisted from my undertaking. The corpse was shortly raised from its watery bed, and conveyed to the quay. It was a "sailor boy," at the age of thirteen. All possible means for resuscitation were used. But they were in vain. The soul, that vital principle, had fled-and the lifeless remains before us, seemed to be a memento, that at all times we should be ready for our departure.

In view of the scene which has just been described, I call upon those who traverse the deep, to consider the uncertainty of their lives. One who was in the bloom and vigour of health, and in a manner unexpected to himself and his shipmates, has been ushered into the unseen world.

"Our life is ever on the wing,

And death is ever nigh;

The moment when our lives begin,

We all begin to die."

Frequently have you seen those with whom you have been acquainted, overtaken by the raging storm, or dashed upon the quicksands of death, cease their earthly existence. Every hour you are liable to fall before "the king of terrors," and find a watery grave. It is true the morning, serene and cloudless, may dawn upon you— your prospects for a happy voyage may brighten. But soon the clouds may gather-the howling tempest may rise, and effect your speedy dissolution. Nor should you forget your liability to accidents and diseases. How many have fallen from the top of the mast head into the mighty waters, without any previous admonition! How many by the violent stroke of some of the ship's materials, have sunk to rise no more? How often, too, have you seen those with whom you have associated, pine away by sickness, and mature for a grave in the depths of the ocean! You may be convinced of the precariousness of your lives, not only by these facts, but by the word of God. Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh. For what is your life? it is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." It is therefore indispensable that you seek that change of heart which is enjoined in the Gospel. There is no time to lose. What you do in preparing for eternity, must be done soon: "for the night cometh in which no man can work."

46

OBSERVATOR.

THE CHRISTIAN CAPTAIN.

From an Agent of the Merchant Seamen's Auxiliary Bible Society.

October, 1822.

THE captain of one vessel having left his card at my office at a time when I was absent, I visited her a second time. When he found me on board, "I am always glad to see you," he said; and, notwithstanding he was anxious to weigh anchor, he mustered the whole of the crew, putting the question to each man, "Have you a Bible?" and spoke in the presence of all of them, and many strangers, of the privilege of being brought under its heavenly influence. Each man, who had not a Bible, said he should be glad to have one, and the captain seemed much pleased with the idea, that every individual under his command would now possess one; he had so much confidence in his ship's company, as to pay them their month's advance before the ship left London, a circumstance I believe never

known before, as it respects a free trader. I never visited a ship of this description before, where I found the crew so uniformly consistent. The custom-house officers and others said, they had not heard an oath since they had been on board: this was certainly a very extraordinary thing, when the extent of the crew is taken into consideration, forty-four in number; one of whom said, "Our captain is a Christian and a father to us all, and were I to leave this ship, I don't know where I should find such another." A strange gentleman observed, on seeing so many sailors purchase the Scriptures so readily, and on seeing the captain interest himself so much in their spiritual welfare, This is a sight I never witnessed before, and I never shall forget it." Sold twenty Bibles.

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JOURNAL OF THE BETHEL FLAG.

(Continued from page 608.)

Friday, January 11.-Bethel meeting was held at Mr. G's. in Water-treet. The President of the Union opened the meeting with a few remarks, calling the serious attention of seamen, and others, to the object for which they had assembled. The exercises were the same as usual, and at the conclusion, tracts and books were distributed among the seamen, of whom there were fourteen present.

"Yes,

Tuesday, 14.-Meeting, was held at Mr. W's, Water-street. Rev. Messrs. Truair and Chase were present, and the latter commenced the exercises. Two of the committee addressed the meeting and prayed. One of them who had not been present before, said,-his heart rejoiced at what was doing for the benefit of seamen. (said he) 'tis for you who traverse the ocean that these meetings are held, and prayer offered up to Almighty God for your precious souls, which are precious to Christ who has suffered and died to redeem them. O, they are of infinite value. You labour night and day while crossing the ocean, for the safety of the ship which contains a cargo of immense value. But O, what is that to be compared to the value of your souls, which your bodies carry about across the trackless ocean from port to port. If you were as much concerned for the safety of your souls, and laboured as hard to conduct them to the haven of eternal rest, through Jesus Christ, as you do your ships and cargoes to the desired port, what happiness it would give? yes, happiness beyond description."

Another member said, "I feel for all in this room, and within the sound of my voice. I feel so much the importance of this meeting, I hope you will forgive me if I intrude on your patience. My dear fellow-immortals, I invite you to the care and practice of religion; it may seem strange that it should be necessary for me to plead the case with you; I cannot be silent-I am inviting you as rational creatures to embrace religion. O, that it may possess your souls with indignation against yourselves, that you embraced it no sooner. May I lift mine eyes and my soul to God, may I devote myself to him for your salvation. O, my dear brothers and sisters, go to the throne of grace, and there seek that grace which may suit your present cir

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