'The Swan' is a large cutter of about 140 tons. On her bows she bears
an inscription which describes her as 'The Thames Church.' She conveys
a clergyman and a floating sanctuary from one pool in the river to
another, to carry the Word of God to those who do not seek for it
themselves. Hers is a missionary voyage. She is freighted with Bibles
and Testaments and Prayer-books, and religious tracts. She runs
alongside colliers, outward-bound vessels, and emigrant ships
especially, that the services, the consolation, and the instruction of
the Church may be offered as a parting gift to those, who are taking a
last leave of their native shores, and are saying farewell to weeping
friends and kindred.

There is also a Tender, called 'The Little Thames Church,' which sails
lower down the river, as occasion may require, fraught on the same
holy errand. One extract from the last Report of the 'Thames Church
Mission Society,' which is patronized by the Archbishop of Canterbury
and the Bishops of London and Winchester, will suffice to explain the
nature of her mission.

'Sunday, February 24, Long Reach. Morning service. The congregation
was 128 seamen. Afternoon, Bible class, 62. Evening service,
132,--total 322. One of the captains observed that there was a great
change for the better, which he was rejoiced to see: 'For,' said he,
'about four years ago I attended a service, and found that I was the
only sailor that had come from the fleet; but this morning so crowded
was the church, that I had some difficulty in getting a seat.''

It is by means such as these, which as a Christian nation we are bound
to provide, that we might hope, not only to keep alive, but to improve