time constantly coming in with survivors. One boat belonging to Ralph Williamson, Esq. of the Campadora, steered at once to his yacht, and by very great exertion, a man almost exhausted was restored to animation. He gave a dreadful history of his sufferings. He could not see, and imagined that day would never break. He had a horrid dread lest the sea-birds should peck him to death. He had given up all hope of escape from the very first shock. He had with him two young children and a sister; and just before the vessel parted he kissed his children and took leave of them, and at the same moment saw his sister sink, as he thought, to rise no more. A little further enquiry brought him the information that his sister still lived! He proved to be the brother of the female saved on the raft, and great indeed was their thankfulness to that gracious Being who in the midst of judgment remembers mercy! A seaman belonging to the vessel had a similar blessing, in unexpectedly finding his little son restored to him. The boy had become entangled in the spokes of the wheel, and after many vicissitudes was picked up by one of the boats. It would be an endless task to enumerate the various instances of extraordinary preservation which occured. The recollection, we trust, will never be effaced from the memory of those who have so much reason to be grateful.

The following account is given by Mr. James Martin one of the survivors, a respectable shoemaker residing in Castle-street, Liver pool. It relates chiefly to circumstances connected with the sad fate of his friend, Mr. Mark Metcalf, leather-cutter, of Mary bone, Liverpool. The narrative is extremely touching :

"We were some time in the river before we got off, and nothing particular happened during the former part of the voyage, only that it was rough, and we were a long time before we passed the Ormshead. I was very sick during a considerable part of the voyage, and, on passing the Ormshead, Mark came to me and said, 'James, how do you feel?' I replied, Better.' He said, 'I have had no sickness, but I have a kind of dread or fear upon me.' Soon after, we saw Puffin Island, and rejoiced, continuing to encourage each other, until the vessel struck on the bank, about halfpast 12 P. M. He then said, 'O, James, what do you think of this?' I replied, 'Keep up your courage,-whilst there's life there's hope.' We then, amidst great consternation and confusion among the passengers, went forward and examined the pumps, which were found choked, and had ceased to work. At this time, many of the passengers were making speaking-trumpets of their hands, and shouting together at the top of their voices, whilst others were engaged in ringing the bell; but no persuasion could induce the captain to hoist a light at the mast head. During all this shouting and confusion, we got to the bow of the vessel, against the anchor, where we knelt down and engaged in prayer, Mark's hand being in mine. He exclaimed, 'O, exercise faith, James!'. After I had prayed, Mark then engaged and wrestled

with the Lord. His prayer was marked by good sense and exceeding fervour. By this time a great number of females had surrounded us, and a gentleman from Leeds, a member of the Methodist Society, came up to us. Mark had had some conversation with this gentleman during the voyage, and now besought him to join with us in prayer, observing, O, sir, you have faithassist us by your prayers." The gentleman then offered up a truly sensible and energetic prayer; and thus we continued in prayer and supplication until the bulwarks were broken down, and the waves were dashing against us. We then rose from our knees. Mark appeared under great excitement, and said, 'O, James, your wife and family will never forgive me for taking you away from them! O, my poor wife and children! O, Lord, have mercy upon me, and spare me for the sake of my poor wife and children!' He addressed the Almighty in strong terms, and often in language which truly surprised me.

"After we had thus engaged in prayer together upon our knees, we commenced our search for a place of security, if such were to be found. Observing several individuals on a plank, which reached across the vessel and rested upon the paddle-boxes on each side, upon this plank I endeavoured to get, and, after some effort, succeeded. I then exhorted Mark to try and do the same; he made several attempts, but failed through want of strength. He then got near one of the paddle-boxes, and laid hold of the iron. I was situated just over him, and had frequent opportunities of convers ing with him. The waves were continually dashing over us with great impetuosity, sweeping away the passengers at every stroke. A short interval of ease occurred, and I looked for my friend: 1 found him still at his post, clinging to the iron. I asked him if he had a firm grip. He answered, 'Yes; but I am nearly exhausted. At this period, all the passengers who had had previous hold of the iron which was under the plank had disappeared, from the violence of the breakers, except my friend Metcalf and another person. A short time only had elapsed, and I saw him carried away by a dreadful wave towards the paddle-box, poor Metcalf exclaiming, James, I'm afraid it's all over! I replied, 'O, Mark, Mark! lay hold of the paddle-box!' He then attempted to do so, and I saw his hand laying hold, when another wave came and swept him right away. Ó, James!' said he, as he was carried into the sea, ‹ it's all over now!' I then saw him throw back his hands over his shoulders, and in great anguish I exclaimed, 'O! my friend! I shall see him no more!' I commended him to God, he disappeared,—I saw him no more."

Mr. Nuttall was precipitated into the sea; he was encumbered with all his clothes, a great coat, and, in addition to these, a fine little boy took refuge on his back. He could not swim, and must have sunk, had not Providence thrown a rope in his way. He seized it eagerly, and was guided by it to a part of the wreck that adhered to the wheel of the engine. Here he found Miss Whita

ker, a boy, and six others. They remained here in the presence of death until seven o'clock. The life boat came off from Beaumaris, and carried them from the wreck. Previously to Miss Whitaker's arrival, the tide had carried them out to sea, and they must have soon perished, had not assistance come. It was low water when the vessel struck. Mr. Nuttall thinks several of the ladies and children were drowned in the cabin. The boy on his back was saved.

Among those who perished in this dreadful calamity, are the Rev. O. Owen, B. D. and his two sisters, members of a most respectable family in Beaumaris, and themselves beloved for their virtues and attainments by all who knew them. Mr. Owen had recently been chosen master of the Grammar School at Ruthin, and had gone to Liverpool with his sisters for the purpose of purchas ing furniture. It must be a consolation to their mourning friends, to know that, in their last moments, in the cabin of the wreck, they were engaged together in prayer.

SELECT PASSAGES.

On the Bruised Reed.-The good Shepherd mends, not breaks, his reeds when they are bruised. I have seen a Highland shepherd on a sunny brae piping as if he never could grow old, his flock listening and the rocks ringing round him; but when the reed of his pipe became hoarse, he had not patience to mend it, but broke it, and threw it away in anger and made another. Not so our Shepherd; he examines, and tries, and mends, and tunes the bruised spirit until it sing sweetly of mercy and judgment, as in the days of old.-Dr. Waugh's Life.

ALIX.

The Christian traveller.-A black cloud makes the traveller mend his pace, and remember his home; but a fair day, and pleasant road wastes his time, and steals away his thoughts with the prospect of the country. Therefore, whatever others may think of it, I will take it as a mercy, that now and then some clouds do hide my sun, and some troubles hide my comforts; for, I perceive, if I should find too much friendship in my inn, on my pilgrimage, I should soon forget my father's house and my heritage.-Divine breathings of a pious soul.

I affirm, that there is a sufficient ground laid in the Gospel revelation and promise, for a sinner even in his first approach to God in Christ, to come with full assurance of faith. Where true faith is, there is a void, emptiness and restlessness of the soul, till some view of Christ be given, and then indeed it returns into its rest. It is a living principle in the soul which is always opposing the motions of indwelling corruption.-Ebenezer Erskine.

TO THE MEMORY OF A FAITHFUL MINISTER.

“The memory of the just shall be blessed.”
Oh! let no mourning voice,

No sorrowing sound be heard;
Around him angels now rejoice,
And bear him to their Lord.
There's joy in heaven, the seraphs bring
Their golden harps and sweetly sing.

He who oft sowed in tears,

Has reaped, with songs of joy;
And many a goodly sheaf he bears,
Now safely housed on high.

How joyful does his spirit stand,
To see them now at God's right hand.

But oh! our hearts are weak,
Our praise is lost in death,
For sorrow e'en will try to break

The golden links of faith:
Brother! thou hadst the words of life,
That cheered us through this path of strife.
Where songs of praise abound,
Where holiest joys are shed,
With gladness and with glory crowned,
Dost thou lift up thine head:

But here we mourn the faithful friend
Who thus the flock of Christ did tend.

He reached his Father's throne,
Where all his chosen meet;
He joyed to cast his glittering crown
At his Redeemer's feet;

He gazed upon his Saviour's face,
The brightest joy of that blest place.

Sin cannot tempt him now,
He has its power defied;

Through death's mysterious gate below
His God has been his guide;

He burst the dark grave's gloomy prison,
In his dear Saviour's image risen.

Blest servant of the Lord!
His daily task is done;

He trusted in his Master's word
And to his rest is gone:

And here in all our grief we cry,
The Lord be praised for his joy

A. FOSTER, PRINTER, KIRKEY LONSDALE,

FRIENDLY VISITOR.

No. CLIX.]

DECEMBER, 1831.

[VOL. XIII.

SHORT ADDRESS TO VARIOUS CHARACTERS ON
THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR.

"But grow in Grace."

The best desire is here expressed for the young, the aged, and the middle aged. To "grow in grace," is the surest way to be happy. At the close of the year the thoughtless crowd are generally looking forward to seek pleasure and, as they falsely call it, happiness in the festivity of the season, and anticipation of a new year. And they often say, "a happy new year," without regarding in what true happiness consists, or how it is to be attained. But this short sentence, if rightly understood and diligently sought after, will bring the reader to the real enjoyment of the desired object.

But what is grace? Dear reader, do you know any thing about it? Ah! if you do not, you are in a dangerous situation; if you have no grace, then you have no hope of happiness here, or possibility of obtaining it in the world to come:--no peace in death--no hope of heaven for those who know not the " grace of God in truth." And what does conscience testify? Oh! search, and see now at the close of the year (for it may be your last) how the matter stands between God and your soul. Remember if you are without grace, you are without hope, without Christ; and so living and dying, will be miserable in hell for ever.

But dear youthful readers, what is your state at this time? You have heard of grace during the past year; most of you heard more than an hundred sermons about the grace of the Gospel; did you hear them all in vain? was there not one that proved the power of God to your salvation? Oh! reflect upon the privileges of the past year, and say, by your present pursuits and desires, what are the effects of them. Oh! do not forget your past

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