The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-02-05

been purchased Tor the use OF the Church, and
some tracts for distribution.
The flag is il size, Is by inches, with an az
ure field and While Border The symbols are
on the top, the myaing and evening stars in
the centre, dove on the wing, with al olive
branc in her mouth and az the bottom,
Choir. Inscription - MARINERS CHURCH,
The Re-. Mr. Eastburn, the stated preacher,
addressed Ae III Tregation from the four last
verses of the 81 Map. Hebrews. lie spoke of
the stability efthSJ CHRISTIANS refuge as predica-
ted Of Gods mmutsOilty; and OF the necessity
for sinners acitueis to endeayor TO " obtain saliva
tion,n by flying for refuge to lay hold on the
hope set before them in the gospel He ilustra-
ted the impert OF the doctrine by referring to the
emblems on the flag that, as the sseRiag star
indicated the approaching darkness Of night, 50
the shades IF death were advancing and as the
morning star denoted the dawn OF day, the
light OF everlasting day would rise upon every
soul, who. like the d0re that . found no rest for
the soul of her FOOT would fly to Jesus Christ the
Ark of safety, and thus become personally inter
ested ia that hea venly hope, which, an Gnchor,
would secure him from shipwreck, and ensure
him an abundant entrance into the haven OF rest
The following hymn, of which number Of prin-
ted copies were presented by MIR. Mentz, was
sung on the occasion.
A MARINERS HYMN, c. NJ.
Presented TO the Rev. JOSEPH RAsrBURS, Pilot
ofJEsus CHRIST the Captain of his Salvation,
and now cruising in the ofing of Eternity.
Written by the Reu. J. w. Scorr, and sung By lie
Congregation IN the Mariners Church in Phil
adolphia, on Sabbath 2lst January, aoAen the
ner Flag of the Church sas holsted
l While DER the swelling sea Of life,
Poor sinners heedless sail,
The guilty passions drive them far,
Til cheering prospects fail.
Then gloomy storms and fearful roar
OF tempests threaten death
And yet all hands despise the name
Of Con who gives them breath.
3 But Oh ! how merciful how good
Is He whom sinners hate.
lie kindly sends bis Pilots out
To warn them Of their fate
4 Along the dangerous coast of Time,
The Pilots hail each crew
The gulph-stream sets to endless woe.
The dismal ports in view I
5 See hoisted high the flag of love,
By heavenly brcezes waved;
Here Sailors, stop, and orders hear
Obey, and you'll be saved.
6 The Captain of Salvation calls,
% wretched Seamen stay.
Now change your course and heav'nward
steer,
The Pilots show tbs way.
Then, like the Stars of morn and ere,
Your future days shall prove;
Nor storms Of death your hope destroy,
For CHRIST your souls will love.
8 The dove Of peace portends the land
of joy and holy rest
There JESUS dwells and makes his saints
With him forever blest.'
The two last stanzas particularly allude to the
mathematical figures on the flag.
The dove Of peace poriends tie land
1t is common for vessels at sea, when nearing
the land, to be visited by the plumy inhabitants
OF the forests. And sometime after recent
storms, having been driven by Toe gale beyond
their usual fights,
These little warblers,
Weary on the wing, alight upon the masts,
And cheer the sailors with their grateful song.
J. w. S.