Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-05-25

ronrfh annual REPORT Of the Executive Commit
tee Of the Boston Society, far the Religious and
Moral Improvement of Seamen.
Nothing that has tendency to enlighten the
mind, improve the heart, and, consequently.
promote the happiness of man. can be viewed bv
us with an Indifferent eye We have, therefore
perused with real satisfaction the above. report.
1t is calculated to elicit the appreciation of A
merican Citizens of all parties, of Christians of
all denominations. Our seamen constitute a
most interesting portion of society. In war, they
have largely contributed TO our national honor
and success. In peace, they administer to tie
comforts of the middle classes, to the uxuries of
the wealthy, and to the prosperity of all. Thro'
them, that great and beneficial intercourse is
effected, which carries our products to other
nations, and brings to US in return the teas, the
odoriferous and medical substances, the fine
webs, and other commodities of the East the SUI
gar. coffee, elegant woods, delicious fruits, and
precious metals of the West Indies and Sout
America the numerous native and manufacture
ed merchandzes of Europe, together with the
ivory, gold dust and curious animals of Africa
While we slumber on couches of soest down, the
hardy, ndefatigable sailor is rocked on the rest
less pillows. Most often bereaved of the sweets
and endearments of home, he does not enjoy one
half of those social blessings which, under a
gracious Providence, civilization and the arts
shower even on the humblest paths of life Shall
then, the dreary solitude of thought, the cheer
less gloom ofirreligion the asperties of untutor.
ed, uncurbed spirits i'll short, all the evils atten-
dant on ignorance and immortality, be added to
so many depriva.ions Shall the minds of our
seamen be left without single genial ray of en-.
noblng, consoling knowledge without parti
cipstion in those sublime and holy doctrines
which have descended from Heaven for the pre-
sent and future happiness of man When Ian.
Gas'erlan schools are seen rising in almost every
part of our country, and promise TO place even
ihe children of the INDECENT on the high ground
of moral respectabilty; when Bible Societies
reflect in almost every direct on the lights
from above when jealous missionaries visit dis.
tant islands & continents for the same holy pur-
pose--shall so large and so useful class of citl.
zens as our mariners, excite no socitude i'm the
bosoms of the pious, and the humane ?--The
Society tor the religious and moral improve
ment OF seamen have obviated such areprooch-
They have said Z" Even fit should be doubted
whether any elevation is to be given TO the cha
Sacters of common sailors, or whether any seri
GUS attention can be excited in them TO the prn
siples and duties of religion, we may ask, wbe
ther something should not be hazarded for ar
object, which, if accomplished, will be acknow
lodged OF great Importance Whether effort,
are not demanded for 4 class Of men, by theil
course OF life excluded from the ordinary means
of Improvement, and to whose privations and ex
qualifications ofllfe"
Determining the above questions in the afr
NATIVE, they have acted accordingly, and the fol
loving extract presents the result of their effort
during the year ending May 18th, 1916.
4" "A year of peace and active commerce. ba
given employment TO the great mass of our sea
men, on the element which they love it ha
placed them in circumstances, the best suited q
the impression Of religious aud moral truths mn
ON their minds During the late war,.our fr 2
ates were supplied with tracts, as were also tn
few merchant vessels which left our harbours
and by various means, they we're widely distri
buted among our sailors on shore But il wa
peculiarly our hope, in the commencement q
our efforts in this cause, that while our sailor
were at sea, we might in dome measure at leas
prepare them, with better principles and resoll
tiOns to meet the temptations winch they have 4,
encounter on the land that we might there min
out 10 them the path of duty, Of safsty and O
happiness, and give them encouragement TO EN-
ter and pursue it. And we are still sanpuine !,
the belief, great as are the obstacles which are q
be overcome, that very great good NAV be "a
fected, IN this large and useful class of our Cit
zens. We have been repeatedly assured. b
those, on whom We can place the most entire re-
lance, even of the eager reception Of our tract
by seamen and we have never heard of an IN
stance, in which they who received them, hav