(Written for "CHART AND COMPASS" by the Author of "THE GOSPEL COMPASS," &c.

We are indebted to Elliot Stock for the above block.

UNDER THE BETHEL FLAG.

DEAR MR. MATTHEWS,—I take the liberty of writing to you knowing full well that you are always pleased to hear of good news from sailors. Since this year commenced we have had a grand work going on in Hamburg. Our Harbour of Refuge (Sailors' Institute) has been well patronised by seamen, and much good has been done both for the religious and temperance cause. In January, I myself underwent a thorough repair that nobody but God and myself knows about. But I am thankful to say now I can rejoice in the God of my salvation. My earnest desire to God is that I may always be found watchful and faithful in all my dealings towards my God and man, and I am now anxious about the welfare of my crew. I am pleased to say, that nearly all swearing and drinking has been put away, I trust for ever, by God's help; for nothing creates a disturbance sooner than that accursed drink. It fills our jails and workhouses, and makes many a good man become a fiend at home; and eventually brings him down to a drunkard's grave. I am thankful to say have two praying men with me on board; and I fully believe that God will soon answer our prayers, and send us a mighty revival on board. We meet every night at sea for prayers, and on Sunday night, and one week-night we hold a service when we are at sea on our voyage. And we have had some good meetings, and been greatly blessed and refreshed in our souls. So by the help of God I mean to work hard for Jesus in my humble way in trying to lead my crew to see the error of their ways, and point them to Jesus, the sinner's Friend. The Friend that will stand by us when our earthly friends leave and deceive us; but Jesus will never leave nor forsake us when we put all our trust in Him. My earnest prayer to God is that all our brother sailors, wherever they are, may be brought to feel their need of a Saviour, and flee to Him and be made a new creature in Christ Jesus. For there is no joy that can equal the joys of religion.

On Saturday night we had a band-meeting and a good prayer-meeting at our Institute, and after the meeting I asked brother Hitchens if he was agreeable for me to hold a Bethel-meeting on board my ship on the coming Sabbath morning, as we all know our poor brothers have no desire to go on shore to church in the mornings. Our dear brother was delighted at the request, and kindly lent me a Bethel flag which I gladly hoisted for the first time, and as we had prayed for it before, so was our prayer answered. Our cabin was filled, about thirty-one persons were present,- —so I was richly awarded for my staying away from church. I am now anxious to carry on these meetings when in port. Will you kindly send me, to my address, a Bethel flag, and also a Bethel Union one, as my old one is nearly done for.

I am delighted to see the men so happy and contented at our meetings at the Institute; and our Temperance Lifeboat that was so successfully launched with a good free substantial tea for all sailors, which was well patronised by them. We have nearly 100 members, and the men are not ashamed to wear their ribbons. We have plenty of oars and ribbons left, which we hope will soon have names inscribed on them. Our dear and beloved brother Hitchens, I think, sometimes looks ten years younger since this good work has been going on. I hope he will live to see his labours crowned with abundant success, and at last be landed safe in the realms of the blest. Hoping you are well,

I remain, Dear Sir and Brother in Christ, Yours truly, Hamburg, May 9th, 1881. THOMAS W. KITWOOD, (Capt.) P.S.-Please send the flags as soon as possible, and let me know the amount, which I will remit to you by return of post, and also my subscription for the Bethel Union.

GOOD WORK IN FAR-OFF PORTS.

(The Editor would be greatly encouraged if “Chart and Compass" were taken by Far-off Ports.)

MELBOURNE.-There entered in this Port beyond the seas, in 1879, no less than 1,562 vessels, manned by 39,469 men. Right glad are we to find it has a Sailors' Home, and the "Victorian Seamen's Mission." For 23 years this Mission has served the sailors. The Creed of the Bethel (says the Chaplain in his admirable Report) is the utterance of the sailor-clergyman, Newton, “I am a great sinner, but Christ is a great Saviour.") With this Creed and a band of men and women to preach it to the sailor, we shall expect the present but a prophecy of the future. We welcome the Chaplain to the page of "Chart and Compass."

SYDNEY.-According to the report to hand the Sydney Bethel Union was established in 1822. Its object is to unite all Christians in the endeavour to help seamen of all nations. Chaplain Gainford has not yet received the support of Sydney's merchants which this sailor's cause demands, but we trust this will come. Go ahead, plucky little colony, and win your spurs for the sailor. At a recent meeting some verses were dedicated to the Rev. Thomas Gainford; we can only give one.

"Give him the power-the tongue of fire to teach

The tempest-toss'd of every clime and clan ;
With holy longings fill his heart to preach

A Saviour's love for every sin-wrecked man."

PORT ADELAIDE-Seamen's Mission is young in years, but has already considerable colonial vigour. The Chief Justice recently presided over its Second Annual Meeting, held in the Town Hall, and gave a capital address. In fact the meeting was most enthusiastic, and we question if such a good one could be got up on this side of the world. The Mayor, Mr. W. H. Thompson, was an old sailor and the first citizen of Port Adelaide. To Missionary Hounslow we say, spread your sails and God will send you propitious breezes. In a letter to hand he speaks of a sailor just arrived, converted at the Sailors' Rest in London.

HONOLULU.-Chaplain Damon has returned from his American, British and European tour, and is settled down to his sailor work again. We hope that with his "Home" and Bethel both officer and the common sailor will be reached and blessed. God bless the venerable old father, we were glad to welcome him in this great London.

PORTLAND (PACIFIC).—We congratulate Chaplain Stubbs in having such an able, sympathetic, first-officer in his wife. From San Francisco (by the bye, what is done in this Metropolitan Pacific Port for sailors? Is the work adequate?) we have received a paper containing an admirable address, but we can only give its close. She says, "The experience of the past three years has established beyond a doubt the necessity of a home for mariners in this port. A place where these men may find a home and a hearty greeting; where religious influences will hold them in check, refining and exalting them to a just appreciation of themselves; where they may be treated like men. Warm-hearted and true as sailors are, the compensation is rich indeed, even if we look not to the effects that shall go on and on for ever. Debarred as they are, most of the time, from the society of women, they highly appreciate the kind word of welcome and recognition from the Christian lady. That is my mother's voice,' said one poor sailor lad, and God's spirit toned the voice to the ear; the words were balm to the aching, homesick heart, and that boy was saved, while the Christian mother who spoke the words will rejoice through all eternity, that God gave her the opportunity to win a soul to Christ."

CLEVELAND, O., U.S.A.-From here a picture of the Floating Bethel has been sent us. We love to see these Floating Bethels. Chaplain J. D. Jones appears to be a brand plucked from the burning. So was Paul, John Newton, and a host of others; for the report says of him :-" He is redeeming the time, and mourns over the wasted years of the past spent in drunkenness and sin, but thank God for the thirteen years he has been permitted to labour as a missionary among his brother sailors of this port." The Lord keep and use his servant, is our prayer.

ODESSA. The Rev. Thomas G. Clark, the worthy Minister and Chaplain of this famous grain port has encouraged us much. The following account of the Sailors' Home will illustrate the golden opportunities lost by British Episcopal Chaplains, in the ports of the world, during the past century. They have been weighed in the balances and found wanting. Any efforts they have put forth for the salvation of the sailor (with the exception of a few, as Chaplain Byron in Antwerp) have been of recent date, and since they were disendowed by the State. In order to give a permanent record, we refer to the following facts :

:

Some sixteen years ago, this gifted and devoted Minister was called from India to Odessa. As he had previously thought and cared for the sailor, he again entered upon this mission of mercy. With lantern in hand, he might be seen wending his way over roadless paths to a sailing ship or steamer, to conduct in simple language and style a sailors' service. In 1868, Mr. Clark was joined by an indefatigable helper, Mr. John Henry Lewis, Sen., who threw his great energy into the religious work among the sailors. A meeting was ultimately held in a ship's cabin, with a view to establish a Home. Then the Duke of Edinburgh visited Odessa, and H.B.M. Consul General Stuart secured his patronage and support. Mr. Harding, taking the tide on the flood when the Duke married Russia's Princess, canvassed not only in Odessa, but Moscow, St. Petersburg, Riga, &c., whilst the Consul's successor (E. Stanley, Esq.,) and his Vice-Consul rendered valuable assistance. The Russian authorities gave the land, and the builder and architect would accept no profits on the undertaking. All offered themselves to build this Sailors' Home, which was suitably inaugurated in 1878. The Constitution of the Seamen's Home, placed by the minister in the hands of His Excellency Count Kotzebue, Governor-General of the time, for transmission to the Minister of the Interior, is thoroughly national, absolutely free of any sectarian taint, and giving the first rank to a provision for Divine service, to furnish which specially was the origin and controlling aim of the whole movement. We have only to add that Chaplain Clark and his helpers have been fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Tuckwell as manager, who by his ability and amiability has won the confidence of town and harbour. Success to Odessa, its Chaplain and Home.

GENOA.

WE are glad to hear that our hard-working missionary, Mr. J. C. Jones, has recovered from his serious fall into the s.s. "Cervantes' " hold. He writes :“Thank God I am once more able to resume the pen. My wrist is still very weak, and my fingers soon get cramped; but the doctor tells me that I may be thankful that I have the use of my hand at all. And indeed I am thankful that my life was spared. Mr. Miller, I know, wrote you immediately after my accident, and you were kind enough to request the prayers of the readers of Chart and Compass" in my behalf, and He who has promised to be the answerer of prayer has fulfilled His promise in again sending me to His beloved work; indeed, I have never been

completely laid aside. I have not missed a Sunday since my accident, and the meetings have been well attended, although I have not been able to go round and collect the men. My little boy, thirteen years of age, has generally gone with the mission-boat, and the sailors have willingly responded to his invitations, and call him their little captain. But, thank God, I am able to climb a ship's side again, though still unable to take an oar.

"I have a large quantity of 'Chart and Compass' on hand at present, through not being able to carry them round. I have sold a good many at the meetings, and have no doubt I shall soon get rid of them all, when I get fully in harness again, and I will forward the proceeds either by P.O.O. or by a friend. I tender my sincere thanks to yourself and the Directors for the beautiful bound volume. Please give my love to all the brethren at the Institute, and tell Br. Lonsdale I have had his dear friend, Captain Becket, with me, under what circumstances he too well knows, poor man. I was truly sorry I could not go off to him in the height of his trouble. I sat at my window and saw his ship come on to the rocks. I never before wished so much that I were an angel, that I might fly and warn him off the danger that he was ignorant of. I pray to God that I might be still more anxious to warn our sailors off the spiritual rocks that they are ignorant of. Captain Becket is a grand instance of what consolation true religion can give in the midst of trials.

"I trust Mrs. Matthews is quite recovered. I read an account of her illness in 'Chart and Compass.' God bless you, dear Sir.

"I am, yours obediently, in the Gospel-ship,

The

LAST year we had a considerable falling off in large ships to the amount of 75,283 tons. This year also we have a decrease to the amount of 100,000 tons. following are extracts from my Journal:

April 4th.—I was on 13 ships---4 Italians, 13 Norse, I French, 3 English—and at the Home. On a Norwegian ship I got the men together and read to them the Word of God. They ordered 3 Bibles. The Italians received me well, in all I met 30 of them, and in no case did they refuse a Gospel. At the Home I met a shipwrecked crew. In the afternoon had a Bible-class. Two of the French sailors came, and spent a profitable time on shore.

April 6th. This morning I was trying to get two poor sailors a passage to Glasgow. Found 40 shipwrecked men at the Home. Spent most of the day talking to them personally about their souls. I went down again at night, and had further conversation, and gave them Sailors' Text Books.

April 9th.-Twice to-day the French sailors came to Mr. Cummings for more books, and as they said for further instruction in the Bible. They asked many questions, and seemed to thoroughly understand that salvation was by Faith. These were the most hopeful cases among the French that we have met with for some time.

April 19th.--This evening we had about 40 sailors to tea, who listened to Gospel addresses; some I spoke to personally, and many were deeply moved.

May 27th. This evening I got II of the German sailors from two ships to come on shore. A young gentlemen from Trinity College, read and prayed with them. We had a happy and profitable time, which I am sure the men will never forget.

June 26th. This evening we had a tea-meeting for the fishermen at Howth.