The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-07-24
from tie Boston Palladium.
Ordination of a British Sailor.

Ordination OF a British Sailor.
Letters from Stephen Prass, Esq. 10 The Edo
tor Of tie Seanaan's .uogastne, dated
BRISTOL, (rSo.) MAY |, 1929.
My dear Sir1Y esterlay the Bethel
Flag waved all day at the masthead of
the fine American ship Seine, Capt. E.
rastus Williams, who obligingly spread
her awning for the accommodation Of a
numerous assemblage of Christians, of
various denominations, her crew and
passengers. Several sailors, Ministers,
and, perhaps, fos the first time, a Capt.
IN tie Royal Nary, Capt. John Banks, IN
voked the divine blessings, safety, and
protection, for the Capt. officers, crew,
and passengers, on the deck of an liner
ican ship, in the most solemn, impress
sive, and atfeclionate manner-delight-
ing every Christian heart by its appro-
pirate fervour. May this commencement
be refrigerated by american Naval Off
GERS, on the decks of British ships* till
the only strife shall be-who can show
the greatest love for souls, and bring the
greatest tribute of glory to our adora-
bic Emmanuel.
To-day has been glorious day-a
new era in the annals of seamen. Capt.
Angus, of Newcastle, fac young man,
in the prime of life, man of property,
who has retired from the sea, studied
for the ministry, resided in Germany,
Holland, and France, TO acquire the Ian
guages fiue ntly, has been set apart as
Missionary to SeGmen.
The Rev. Mr.. Pyer commenced the
truly interesting service, by reading the
SD of Isaiah, and giving out the 18th
Psalm of DR.. Watts.-The Rev. Thomas
Roberts asked the questions, and receiv-
ed the confession OF faith from Capt.
Angus, who gaze detail Of his religious
experience from ten years of age, COM
mencing with the prayers and instruc-
tons of pious grandtdther-his trials,
temptations, aud backsLdlngs, during "a
career of many years, as apprentice, Off
Ger, and captain of merchandising, on
board of man-of-war, in French prs
on, on his marcl to which French SOL
der sold him the remains of a Watts's
Hymn-Book, with 1ohich he qpas lighting
has pipe, which was much blessed to him
in the absence Of other means of grace
the sighted counsel and advice Of
pious elder brother, lost at sea off
the Spanish Main; having previously
given him several religious books, among
which was Rev. John Newton's Life and
Letters, which he read with increased
interest, when in the West-Indies he
heard of his brother'ssdeath, and which
he affectionately recommended his broth
er sailors to buy and read, though ttey
sold SHIRT To obtain 1t. The Rev. T. S.
Crisp offered up an admirable Ordina-
tion Prayer previous TO the laying on of
hands. The venerable DR.. Ryland gave
a most impressive and catholick-spirit-
ed Charge from, "the love of Christ
constraineth US ;'-several appropriate
hymns were sung, and the Rev. Mr..
Grifiiths, missionary from Sierra Leone,
concluded with prayer. 1t was glon-
ous and gratifying season of refreshment
from the presence of the Lord, trust,
to the numerous seamen, ministers, la
dies and gentlemen assembled in the
Seamen's Floating Chapel, who could not
separate till 8, P. Nj.
lie intends preaching to seamen all
round our extensive seaboard in En-
gland, Ireland, and Scotland; and then
visit foreign countries on the same de-
lightful errand, Of stirring up Christians
to care for the souls of seamen, and tina (
valuable class TO seek salvation for
themselves in the only appointed way,
through the blood of the Lamb.
could not retire to rest till sent you
this very hurried, imperfect, and made
quate sketch ofthis important ordination
OF the first missionary TO seomen. Yours,
&c.
~ln American ports.-TEI. s. M