Let me add that Mr. Austen very much desires you will send him a copy of the Chart and Compass for his reading-room. The only copy he could find, was the November number for 1882, given to him by some sailor. I trust you will send a copy, and I feel confident Mr. Austen will occasionally write for its columns. We expect to see our son and wife in two days, when we hope to start off in company for San Francisco and Honolulu. You are at liberty to copy so much of this letter as you may deem suitable for the columns of your magazine. Mrs. Damon joins with me in kindest regards. :-Yours truly, S. C. DAMON. Windsor Hotel, Yokohama, Japan, August 12th, 1884. Floating Libraries. During the months of September, October, and Novem ber, fifty-two libraries were issued, thirty in boxes. These contained 1,019 bound books, 1,800 tracts, and 1,170 periodicals. LIBRARIES IN BOXES. DESTINATION. Sampson Demerara, &c. South Milton Trinick Mauritius Sir G. F. Seymour Hollis Bermuda Aberdeen, s.s. Barclay Sydney, &c. Star of Russia Simpson Melbourne Westbury Poole Launceston Eeta, s.s. Jenkins Berbice Sophocles Smith Sydney Abbey Holme Rich Freemantle Atlantis, s,s. Wandless Barbadoes. &c. Barranca Jones Punta Arenas Towy Sunmer Rio Janeiro Newfoundland Parsons Launceston Lebanon, s.s. Fox Mediterranean Windward Durant Hobart Town Salerno, s.s. Shouman Belize Centurion Taylor Sydney Chocolate Girl Folster Grenada Ituni, s.s Richards Barbadoes, &c. Zoe, s.s. Shotton West Indies Montrose Taylor West Indies Essequito, R.M.S.P. Powles West Indies, &c. Balcombe Butland Barbadoes Bryn Gwyn Williams Bombay Sydney De Gruchy Adelaide Rangoon Melbourne West Indies, &c. DESCRIPTION OF VESSEL'S NAME. VESSEL. CAPTAIN. WHERE TRADING. Cleopatra Sailing Barge G. Robinson River Thames Tibney Harvey City of Cork Steamship Hungerford Portugal River Thames West Indies EDITOR'S NOTES AND NOTICES. DESCRIPTION OF VESESL'S NAME. VRSSEL. CAPTAIN. WHERE T IDING. Joseph Raymond Sailing Barge Howard River Thames Levander Barter Portland E. Laming Rogue-in-Grain W. Fitch Susannah and Mary H. Nunn Wright F. Barson Canals, &c. Saucy Kent Sailing Barge T. Simmons River Thames John Etherden W. Raven J. Symons E. Simmons Tulet Kate Keys Active J. Dobson April The ship collections have amounted to £11 175. 6d., and we have received cash, books, and tracts from the following :-Messrs. George Thompson and Co., Messrs. William Smith and Co., Manor Chapel Sunday-school, Messrs. Brown and Lenox, Mr. Bellamy, Mrs. Welby, Mrs. A. Scrutton, Editor East End News, Captain Wilson, the Treasurer, Library Committee, and the Rev. E. W. Matthews. W. B. CUSTARD, Library Depot, Sailors' Institute, Agent Library Committee, December 6th, 1884. British and Foreign Sailors' Society. EDITOR'S NOTES AND NOTICES. "SUDDEN DEATH OF AN INDEPENDENT MINISTER.—The Rev. James Robertson Campbell, D.D., of Bradford, a well known Independent minister and a former chairman of the Congregational Union, was found dead in bed yesterday morning at his residence in Bradford.” This we cut out of to-day's paper (December 2ud). In our last number we referred to the departure of his daughter, Mrs. Alexander Scrutton, for New Zealand. This honoured minister recently assisted us at Bradford, and little did we think he was so near to that new land above. He fell asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep. We went to the “ Healtheries,” but in our humble judgment it was not fit to . hold a candle to the “Fisheries.” Perhaps, however, with a nautical twist in our make up, we are a little warped in judgment. We did, however, see one boat to relieve the endless monotony of that great advertising show. This boat was floating sometimes in a heavy sea way, with a cargo on deck of “Vernon's patent noiseless ware." Crockery of every description with india rubber rims at bottom which holds them secure even at an angle of forty-five degrees. Have we not heard the crash at sea for want of this very patent DEAR MR. EDITOR,--I desire to acknowledge the kindness of some of your readers who have sent me assistance for our deeply afflicted Italians in Naples, for which I beg to return them my heartfelt thanks and the assurance that their good wishes have been carried out in providing for the pressing wants of several destitute families and many poor people. I have received the following sums :-Mrs. Waugh, London, £1; Miss Poole, London, £2; Miss Carnegy, London, 65 ; several English friends, 3s. ; total, £8 38. A. GUERRITORE. RETIREMENT OF THE REV. ROBERT ROBINSON.-For many years he has been the Home Secretary of the London Missionary Society. He has rendered a great and blessed service to this society of world-wide fame. Its organ says :-"He feels, however, that at his time of life he is not equal to the continued and growing demands made by the changing condition of official EDITOR'S NOTES AND NOTICES. 31 work and responsibility, and that in the interests of the cause he loves so much he can probably be of most service by resting more. He has, therefore, pressed his resignation upon the Board. Much as everyone will miss his wise and kindly presence, we cannot grudge our friend freedom from official cares, which he is well entitled to." The Atlantic Ocean, a monthly magazine and record of steamship travel. Macfarlane and Co., London. Here are eighty pages, to say nothing of the forty-two of advertisement, and all for sixpence. A wonderful account of steamships, ocean travel, and everything bearing on the same. Like the ocean steamer too fascinating for anything. The Quiver, Yearly Volume for 1884, price 7s. 6d., contains 768 pages of letterpress, illustrated with about 250 high-class original engravings. Cassell and Company, Limited, Ludgate Hill, London. After looking at this volume from a magazine point of view we have somewhat the same feeling as after gazing at one of our splendid steamers the wonder of the nineteenth century. This Quiver craft could no more be suddenly built and launched irrespective of a great past than the steamer. Her builders are workmen who know their business well. Both intellectually and spiritually they stand in the front rank. Her owners spare no expense in freighting this goodly ship with the most precious cargo. Her crew (contributors) are delighted to sign articles for such a captain (editor), who possesses the great qualities of capacity, culture, courage. Two words describe her mission, tender humanity and sweet Christianity. As with our magnificent liners, when we think perfection is now reached, the next year gives a faster and a finer ship, so will it be with the Quiver for 1885. As we stand upon the shore we can only exclaim, “ Beautiful ! Bon Voyage, noble ship.” THE Bible Reader's Almanack, containing the daily portions of the Bible reading unions, and a daily text from the morning or evening portion, 1885. This modest little visitor' has come to us for notice, and, like Melchizedek, it seems to be without father or mother. for we can neither find the name of printer, publisher, or editor. Yet, like Melchizedek, it points to one “like unto the Son of God,” Who is the King of Righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is “King of Peace.” It is not every almanack that does this I Can more then be said in its favour? But we believe its parent is Mrs. Beaty Hart, the Manse, Oundle, Northamptonshire. THE General Baptist Almanack and Director, edited by the Rev. J. Fletcher, of London. This is the work of a master. A little vane, even light feather, will tell the way of the wind. Some two years ago, spending an evening with the editor, we saw him take a small pair of scissors from his pocket and, with true editorial instinct, clip from a paper. The simple act not only made an impression, but seemed a prophecy, which is annually perfecting in fulfilment! Our sub-editor, after a quick glance, though perhaps a somewhat partial judge, said, “Well, this is one of the best almanacks we have seen, not referring to our own !” We were grateful for this last saving clause, and we will, consequently, let it go as it stands, confirming the judgment. " Chart and Compass” Receipts from November 13th to December 12th. £ s. d. £ s. d. · Brought forward ..........399 2 4 McComb, Mr. S., Derry . © 15 0 B. and F. S. S. 3 6 9 McNeil, Mr. S., do. .. o io Bailey, Mr. H. V., Falmouth ó 10 ó Mattsson, Mr. C., London 0 0 10 Fearn, Mr. B., Barrow .... 0 Sharples, Capt. E., Cardiff Gilbert, Mr. J., Dover .... 0 Smith, Capt. J., Glasgow .. 0 7 Gilpin, Mr. K., Yarmouth.. o Tierney, Mr. J., Dublin.... 0 16 Hughés, Rev. B., Milford.. I. Sundry sales .............. 0 6 Harrison, Capt.G., Newcastle I Latimer Sunday-school, Sub. O 10 TOTAL £415 17 10 Lonsdale, Mr. s., London o 6 SUNDAY THOUGHTS FOR SAILORS * FROM THE WORD OF GOD. “Be not faithless but believing.”—JOHN xx. 27. SUNDAY, January 4th, 1885.-" Be strong and of a GOOD COURAGE, fear not nor be afraid * * for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." "The Lord your God, he is God in heaven above and IN THE EARTH BENEATH.”—DEUT xxxi. 6; Josh. ii. 11. SUNDAY, January 11th.-" The wicked flee when no man pursueth; but the righteous are BOLD as a lion." He that feareth is not made perfect in LOVE."-PROV. xxviii. 1; 1 John iv. 18. SUNDAY, 18th January.-" And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord it is nothing with Thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power, help us, O Lord our God; for WE REST ON THEE, and in THY NAME we go against this multitude." So the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Asa.”—2. CHRON xiy. 11-12. SUNDAY, January 25th.-" When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, BE OF GOOD COURAGE."-LUKE xxii. 32; Is. xli. 6. * Those interested in "Chart and Compass” would be very grateful for the prayers of all who read these " Sunday Thoughts," that they, and all God's word and truth in the Magazine, may be greatly blessed to many Sailors. Sunday Mornings would be a good time for such. |