Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1824-06-10
G:yetaC
A RELIGIOUS SEAMAN.
From the Report Of the Liverpool Seaman
Friends Society.

meetings under the Bethel flag, ant
whose voice was often heard in prayers
for the salvation Of his brother sailors
left England on voyage to St. la
cid, Having arrived safe, and feeling
greaiful TO God fof his providentia
protection, the first Sabbath after hi,
arrival he went 90 the shore, (the YES
sci lying at sotne distance, at anchor !
to look for some housc for the worship
OF God but, alas, there was none
Tie entered upon al inquiry witt
chose he met, (some Of whom were
taking their vans aud fruit to market
for sale, others pursuit OF some gain
or pleasure, ii there were any reli
gious people in the town at this
question, so foreign TO what they had
been accustomed TO here, particularly
from the British sailors, some smiled.
while others answered, with the ut
most unconcerp, MOP hftera search
Of upwards OF an hour, naive of re
spectacle appearance hearing the en-.
curry, entered into conversation with
the sailor, and drew e lameniable
picture Of The inhabitants, and of their
total neglect Of religion-even to its
igrmes and ceremonies---in short. he
said, a perfect inattention showed it
self TO the soIemnities of the Christian
Sabbath. He also stated, that he
knew OF none ia the whole island to
whom he couid direct him, who
would answer The character he was
in search Of. There was one man,
(he said, on further recollection, } a
soldier in the garrison, who made
some profession OF religion GU his irsl
arrival al the island, about two years
before, but be supposed that srieeting
with rllicule from his comrades, emo
ensnared by the example OF The inha-
bitdnts, he had thrown away his pro
fessian, and from what he could learn,
was like the rest of the inhabitants. and
could indulge in the same vices
However, he gave the sailor dircc-
tons to the garrison, where the soldier
could be found, as the most likely in.
dlvidual 10 meet his wishes. When
this faint ray of hope, he toiled up the
o'eep hill upon the garrison was cree
ted, and found out bis man, who was
at that time on duty The sailor in
formed him Of the purport Of bis vi
sat: as soon as the poor soldier could |
recover from his surprise, he answer
ed to the following effect: --'Ah my
friends, you bring my SINS to rernem-
brance; when in England, was al
member of christian church, among
the people called Methodist, but when
our regiment was sent to this island
I felt myself as ii were banished from
God and his people. Notwithstahd-.
ing, | was determined to walk, by
The grace of God, before the inhabi-
tauts of this religious place in all things
becoming, professor OF the faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ; but alas the
example OF others, and the jeer OF my
comrades, made me neglect my closet:
/ became an easy sacrifice to the ser
vice of this world, and tell into the
snares of the wicked one; aud now /,
fear the mercy Of the Lord is clean
gone forever. (Tears fell from his
eyes when he made this remark.
You are Che continued) the only per
son, for these two years past, who has
addressed me on the subject of reli-
gion, but what weuld you have me to
dog The sailor, after word Of con
ISOLATION to encourage his hopes in the
mercy of God, opened to him his plan.
which was. that as he was acquainted
with the inhabitants, and the most
likely person to suit for such purpose,
he should. accompany him into town,
and make interest with some one to
set the use Of the room, aHl endea
YOUR to collect a few OF the inhabitants
together and hold prayer meeting
This was agreed upon; and another
soldier, WAC had sometimes engaged
IN conversation with his conrad upon
religious subject, was appointed out as
an assistant IN this work. This per
son was waited upon, aud after lit.
lie hesitation, he agreed to accornpa
~ Aroon was obtained, the neigh
hours were invited; and the room was
well filed at the time announced
Tie sailor read chapter in the Bible
and made few remarks, and then
concluded by prayer. This religious
exercise so novel in The island ~ 6.