No. 29    -    The “Montmorency” This is another of the Black Ball line of Packets, sent out by James Baines & Co. to Launceston and Hobart Town.  She has upwards of three hundred souls as passengers. Of these about one hundred and twenty were Germans; the remainder being from various parts of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.  The friends of those going out in her may be gratified to know that she is reckoned a fine ship, and that Captain Kiddie, her commander, entertains the conviction that she will make the passage in less time than the “Marco Polo,” whose fame as a fast sailing ship is so widely spread; and which ship, belonging to the same firm is to follow the “Montmorency” on Thursday next, the 5th  instant, with some five hundred passengers. On going on board, I found the Germans, all by themselves, occupying the forepart of the ship below, the rest of the people having the after part and the house on deck, but all apparently quite satisfied with their accommodation and treatment.  It was Saturday the last day in March, when by one o’clock in the afternoon, all was in readiness to receive the visit of the Government Inspectors.  They remained on board about two hours, during which time the passengers were all examined as to their health, and, with the exception of one family, which had to be sent ashore, pronounced in a healthy condition, fit to undertake the voyage with safety to themselves and others.  The ship, her stores and provisions, then underwent a similar scrutiny, and was approved. Then the crew was mustered on the quarter deck, and being found complete and able, were passed.  All these matters satisfactorily attended to, the Captain and the owners went immediately on shore to clear the ship at the Custom House, that they might be ready for sailing early in the forenoon of the morrow. The ship was now at my service for holding any religious exercises I might think proper among the people.  The people themselves, too, were anxiously waiting for the signal to assemble; for, while they were partaking of a most substantial dinner - the materials of which I had good opportunity of observing to be of capital quality,  and abundant in quantity, so much so, that I do not remember one single instance in which any one, great or small, made the slightest complaint – I had previously put up my printed notice of divine service for half-past three o’clock.  When that time came, the women wrapped their shawls around them , and came upon the main deck, the male portion of the accompanying them. I stood among them, so as to have them all around me, and as much within sight as possible.  It was, however, very cold, too much so to allow either myself or the congregation to uncover.  Nor did we feel any compunction, under the circumstances, for worshipping our God and Saviour, and preaching the glorious gospel of his grace, with less of form than is desirable when the cathedral roof and walls protect the worshippers  from the weather, or when the weather is sufficiently mild to permit those forms to be observed with safety.  We felt that we had God’s own dispensation in the matter, and prayed, sang, and preached in full assurance of being accepted of him who, while he “commanded all men everywhere to repent,” has also bid his people to ”pray always,” and enjoined upon his ministers, in preaching the word , to be “instant in season and out of season.” The topics brought under the notice of our congregation at this time were:- The sufficiency of human sin, in its own demerit, to render them liable to everlasting punishment, and the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement to save from such punishment, and to secure eternal life, in favour of all among them who should believingly rely upon its efficacy; in proof of both of which was the setting up of a throne of grace, as the only place where such unworthy sinners as they were could be met by a holy and righteous God, but where, notwithstanding their unworthiness, God might and would receive them graciously, and love them freely.  To that throne of grace they were exhorted to come – to come now, and to come always, with the confident expectation that their prayer should be heard, and their wants relieved.  They were urged to come now, while their hearts were sorrowing after their forsaken homes and parted – from friends, and to come when the mighty sea should receive them on its broad bosom, and winds and waves might make them afraid, and to come when the prospect of speedy death might open up to them the further on prospect of judgement. While delivering these sentiments, one thing pained me greatly. Many of the Germans stood around, some few of them could understand a little of what was said, but to most of them it was a dead language, a profitless sermon.  They seemed to enjoy the singing, and were pleased with the whole scene, but could get little, if any good.  How I wished for once to have the power of “speaking with tongues” for their sakes.  Though they understood so little yet many of them were eager to shake hands with me, smiling and bowing as they did so with great animation, which made me the more sorry I could be to them of such little use. When the service was over, I informed them of my intention to publish this number of the “FORGET-ME-NOT” for their special benefit, on which they immediately gathered round to provide me with the addresses of their friends, that it might be forwarded as soon as the ship should sail and the printer have it ready.  Having stored my pocket portfolio with these directions, I was glad because of the cold, to accept the invitation of some of the passengers in the house on deck, to go in and unite with them in the enjoyment of a cup of hot tea.  My hosts and hostess were Scotch, and brought forth from their private store beautiful marmalade, and butter, which they had brought from home, with other delicacies for which “the land o’ cakes” is famed.  While thus occupied, I had the pleasure of receiving from many around unequivocal proofs of the pleasure which my public services had rendered them, accompanied by the fervent wish that services could be perpetuated through the voyage. Among other persons who interested me was the ship’s surgeon, the son of a Free Church Minister, and who has spent eighteen years in his profession in different parts of the world.  I took leave of them all about six o’clock, and proceeded on shore in a small boat, which Captain Cranson, the manager on board ship for James Baines & Co., was kind enough to send for me to prevent my detention on board longer than was convenient.   But from him, and indeed from all acting under this company, I invariable receive every possible attention and courtesy, and am happy in making this public acknowledgement of their unvarying readiness to forward my plans.  The following morning, being Sunday, the Montmorency weighed her anchor, and about eleven o’ clock proceeded to sea all well. When and where shall we see them next?  How insufficient is all our knowledge to answer that question!  Let us, dear readers, determine, each one of us, that if we meet them no more on earth, we will meet them nowhere else but at God’s right hand, by each of us giving his own heart to God, and devoting himself to the service of God’s dear Son.  Having, by such consecration of ourselves to God, made it certain that those who may desire to find us in the other world must seek us in the Redeemer’s presence, let us then pray, pray earnestly and constantly, that they who are now going farther and farther from us may also be brought to God by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and so be prepared to meet us there.  Let your letters to them breathe the holy desire for their salvation.  Let your supplications to heaven crave for them that greatest of all blessings.  How happy a thing for me, if hereafter I should come to know that my preaching on board to them, and my communication through this medium with you, had been sanctified to the bringing about of such a result!  And why may I not hope it shall be so?  Can the word of the Lord return unto him void?  Can it fail in the thing whereunto he has sent it? Were the earnest looking and listening of some and the flowing tears of others, altogether without significancy, when there was nothing to call them forth but a faithful exposition of their sinfulness and of God’s mercy, and as faithful an appeal to their conscience and heart?  May the Lord, the Spirit himself, work in them and in you mightly to bring you to himself, and so realise my humble but earnest hopes.  And to Him shall be all the praise both now and for ever, world without end.        Amen JAMES BUCK. Liverpool Seamen’s and Emigrants’ Friend Society and Bethel Union. 34, Crown Street, Pembroke Place and North Bethel, Bath Street. April 3rd 1855 NORTH BETHEL, BATH STREET (Opposite Centre Gate of Prince’s Dock) Divine Service every Sabbath morning , half-past 10. Afternoon, half-past 2. Evening half-past 6 o’clock. Service also every week evening at half-past 7 o’clock. D.  MARPLES,   PRINTER,   LORD STREET.