The Columbian fountain., 1846-06-25
BALTIMORE, June l8, 1916.


BALTIMORE, June l8, 1916.
MEssRs EDITORS: was induced to attend
the Anniversary meeting of the Seamens'
Friend Society at the Monument st. Methodist
Episcopal Church, on Wednesday evening
last, by the announcement that Rev. MIR. Tay-
lor. of Boston, familiarly known as the cele-
brated "Father Taylor" would address the
meeting.
The audience, though respectable, was
much smaller than anticipated, for the fame
Of the speaker, and the claims Of seamen on
the sympathy of the community, led me to ex-
pect crowded house. The meeting was open
ed with singing and prayer by clergyman
whose name did not learn, after which the
Annual Report Of the Board of Managers and
Missionary was read by Christian Keener, esq.
a pioneer and efficient laborer in the temper.
ance cause These reports exhibited the heal
thy condition of the Society, and the gratifying
result Of the Missionary's efforts during the
past year.
Mr. Taylor was then introduced by the Pre-
sident The Rev. gentleman commenced by
saying that "The report had been read, adopt
ed, and taken away from him, leaving him
without peg to hang speech on; therefore
he would have to 60 to work and weave yarn
for himself" and most interesting yarn he
did weave, 10 the evident satisfaction of his
hearers.
| would like TO give you sketch Of his re-
marks if could condense them sufficiently for
your paper, without doing injustice to the
speaker, but that is out Of the question. His
manner is rather unpleasant at first, and the
hearer thinks he will be disappointed. But as
the speaker proceeds, he becomes more inter.
estng, and the attention of the hearer is rivet.
ted, while the orator surprises and delights by
his rough eloquence, amuses with his quaint
ness, and affects to tears with his moving pa
thos. He has one fault, as speaker, that can
not be corrected too soon-that Of speaking so
indistinctly, at times, that il is impossible for
those al moderate distance TO understand
him.
The sailor has an ardent friend in MIR. II. 1t
is impossible TO listen to his arguments and ap-
peals without feeling that something should
be speedily done for The moral reformation
Of our gallant tars. They deserve better
treatment than TO be made the prey Of remorse-
less land sharks, who watch for poor Jack,
and as soon as he comes on shore, enlice him
into grog shops and other places, where he is
kept until his hard earnings are gone, and
then turned off TO starve or bare once more
the perils Of the sea- The sailor is capable
Of better existence and if the sympathy o
the benevolent was directed to providing Beth
els and homes for the hardy sons OF ocean,
live sailor s. turned loose " would soon cease
to be an object Of dread. This much is due
to sailors for their valuable services in the COM
merce by which our land is enriched; and we
owe it TO ourselves, Gas many shipping mer-
chants have discovered y for the prosperity OF
commerce depends largely on having temper
ate and virtuous seamen.
The importance OF these measures, in
missionary point of view, is worthy Of the at
tenlion OF those interested in the conversion
OF the heather. Let it be remembered that
every converted sailor is a missionary, bearing
glad tdlngs ito the uttermost parts of the
world"
/ am happy to learn that measures are in
progress TO purchase and fit up suitable
building for sailors home in this city. -Four
thousand dollars have been contributed bv
about forty persons three thousand dollars
more will be sufficient. The Sun of this
morning is out in favor Of the enterprise. II
am granfed 10 perceive it, because this snir.
lied and independent popular journal has al
ways been favotite with me. Yet | have
had, and stal have my regrets, that psper
which is soSsnerally correct in its moral sen.