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To the above we shall add,

3dly, That the vocation of seamen is of GENERAL UTILITY; the benefits of their arduous undertakings reach to all; from the prince who sits upon the throne, to him that labours upon the wharf. If we consider attentively, the MANNER in which the rich and innumerous blessings of Divine Providence are distributed to the different countries in the globe; it will fully convince us, that the Alwise Benefactor of mankind has disposed of his bounties so as to make one nation dependant upon the succour of another. And hence it is certain, that God designed a commerce should be carried on betwixt them; but to effect this happy end! without the intervention of sailors, were a thing utterly impossible. Therefore, in the order of Providence, the Lord, is graciously pleased to raise up men, the constitution of whose body and mind is adequate to the adventurous enterprize; by means of whom, the most useful intercourse is founded between climes separated by immense

seas,

To earth's remotest bounds!

From this view of the subject, it is plain, that England, in a peculiar manner, is beholden to her noble TARS for that commerce, with which she has been so highly favoured for centuries past, to every part of the globe. By which means, we have been abundantly supplied with almost every article that could contribute to the necessity and pleasure of human life. This also, has occasioned an amazing influx of wealth to the merchant, and to the revenue;

whilst it has crowned our country with power and dignity throughout the world!

Further, the occupation of seamen is USEFUL, because it furnishes many thousands with employs remove THEM from the community, and you instantly stop the pen of the busy merchant, who might then discharge his clerks, close the shutters of his counting-house, and write upon them,-To let. Also, hundreds of tradesmen, whose respectability is equal to any in the country, would be deprived of that mean by which they now obtain a competent income, and support with credit their respective families. I allude, principally, to the sail-maker, block-maker, roper, and ship-builder; set aside the sailor, and these would have no further employ for their numerous hands, whilst their yards and warehouses would become needless things. Besides, thousands of the industrious poor, who labour daily upon our keys, and in the manufacture of foreign produce, would also be deprived of the means of their livelihood, and cast upon an inhospitable world, they would possibly perish in want of the necessaries of life.

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Another branch of the seaman's utility, is PROTECTION; for which we are not less indebted to him, than for our extensively beneficial commerce. In consequence of the insular situation of Old England, the succour of British seaman is rendered indispensably necessary; how often have they come forth to repel a daring foe, and to defend their countries cause? On which occasions, they have always displayed the most dauntless intrepidity. Lo! These are the men who risk health, life,

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liberty, and their all, for the PUBLIC good. These are the walls which defend us, the pillars that support us, and the mainspring by which motion is given to the WHOLE.

We proceed,

Secondly, To consider the wonderful works which God exhibits to a seaman's view.

1st, You behold the OCEAN. This is the grand reservoir, in which all the waters under the firmament are congregated; surprising assemblage; the wonder of creation! How amazing its EXTENT; whoever have explored the bounds of this "Great wide sea?" which like a bond environs the earth, computed to be twenty-four thousand nine hundred and thirty miles in circumference! How astonishing its DEPTH; whoever have fathomed the capacious bowels of this stupendous gulf? In what sublime language do the scriptures express it; they call it "The gathering together of the waters in ONE place;""The deep ;" and "The great deep." How wonderful its SALTNESS; and still more admirable is the EBBING and FLOWING of its tides. Whilst the unruffled TRANQUILLITY of its surface in a calm, and its dreadful AGITATION in a storm, strike the astonished mind of the beholder, with terror and delight*. Again, the ocean is equally surprising for its INHABITANTS; this strange element is the

* When looking at the ship's wake, it has reminded me frequently of what is generally termed the milky-way, which crosses the heavens from South to North; betwixt the sparkling lustre of which, there is a striking resemblance, but especially if the wind be Southerly, and the night dark!

abode of creatures, whose multitudes are innumerable; some are hugely large, others extremely diminutive, and every species different in figure, properties, and colour! Doubtless, it was the contemplation of these wonderful works, which made the pious Psalmist to exclaim astonished, "OLord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all The earth is full of thy riches; so is the great wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts*." Oh! SEAMEN! What marvellous things do you behold in those watery regions: All of which, are the wonderful works of God; from whom, every creature derives its existence. "The sea is his and he made it," with all the finny race. Verily, the OCEAN you traverse, is the most admirable leaf in the great volume of nature; upon which, the Eternal Power and Godhead of the Great Creator, are written in legible characters. Then, SAILORS, see that you learn from hence, to reverence Jesus, "The mighty God;" who is Lord, and "Judge of all." Otherwise, his righteous anger will be found at last, infinitely more terrible than stormy winds and seas, But,

2dly, You see many wonderous TEMPESTS. Often has the sportive porpoise, and the driven scud, truly presaged the approaching storm; and warned by these faithful omens, you have prepared diligently for the impending squall, which Now comes with resistless force:

Before the boist❜rous wind,
The foaming billows fly,
And swollen canvass, bends
The yards and masts on high,

* Psalm civ. ver. 24, 25.

All hands, quick! The boatswain loudly cries, send down top-gallant yards attend; the stay-sails stow the top-sails hand brail up the mizen;~~~ and next the ship is under close-reefed courses brought. Yet, pressed by the increasing gale, she lies deep immersed on the leeward side; -and groans unequal to the dreadful strain. Then, to give the ship relief, the helm a-weather flies, at whose command, the obedient prow wears swiftly from the scourging seas. Now, to TRY ;-her disabled hulk forbids; consequently you are forced to the desperate remedy of SCUDDING; the only refuge from present ruin. And thus impelled by the impetuous storm abaft, you drive rapidly before winds and waves, at the extreme peril of ship and lives. Oh! SEAMEN! How marvellous is the scene which now presents itself to your view the wind, with redoubled violence, heaving up the whitened deep into dreadful mountains, and ploughing it into deep and ghastly valleys; while the fluctuating vessel, uplifted by the tremendous surge, seems to mount the skies, then gliding swiftly down the fearful precipice,→→→→ all appears buried in a watery grave. The force of the wind, the agitation of the sea, and the motion of a ship in a storm, is a sight truly amazing; and which I have beheld often with astonishment. Seamen, it is your special duty to remember, that storms do not rise ACCIDENTALLY, but by commission from God; they are HIS marvellous works ; and which exhibit to you in a most awful manner, his almighty power, and dreadful majesty. Jesus, "The great God our Saviour," is lord high admiral of these formidable elements, they are under his command; winds cannot roar, nor billows rage, without his order: "He raiseth the stormy wind,"

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