THE SAILORS' MAGAZINE AND Nautical Entelligencer : UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS' SOCIETY. 1847. VOLUME IX.-NEW SERIES. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY T. WARD AND CO., 27, PATERNOSTER-ROW. MAY BE HAD OF ALL BOOKSELLERS. PREFACE. Although a periodical that has spoken for itself for twelve months, may appear not to need the subsequent echo of a preface, we feel that we are performing something more than a ceremony in complying with the established custom. What hast thou done? was the question equally demanded of the "good and faithful servant," and of the man who hid the talent entrusted to his use. In this life it is the experience of the past that enables us to prepare for the future; and in that which is to come, he who rejects the "warning from Heaven," will discover that time, limited though it be, can weigh with a fearful balance against Eternity! As the organ of THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN SAILORS' SOCIETY, we have expounded their views and urged their claims. We have recorded the instances-many, but, alas! too few-in which they have taught their countrymen, who take tribute of the sea, "to render unto GOD the things which are GOD'S." Until the public mind is aroused to the importance of having more regard to the spiritual welfare of the sailor, we cannot be expected to display such splendid results as societies more liberally supported. But we have, at least, husbanded the resources at our command. We have maintained a missionary at Cronstadt, in Russia; and, by means of a |