The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-05-19
THE ANNIVERSARIES IN NEW YORK.

MEMS FRIEND SOCIETY.
The anniversary exercises of this Society
were held in the Metropolitan Hall on May
9Th Peletiah Perit President, occupied the
chair The audience was quite large.
After singing prayer was offered by Rev DIR.
Chickering, of Portland, Maine. An abstract
of the annual report was then read by one OF
the secretaries, Rev Mr.. Spaulding, showing
an increased success in the operations OF the
society, and noticing a general improvement
in seamen in temperance, morals, and religion.
The following are the principal points:
The receipts of the society during the pres
ent year, without including large amount
nassing through the treasures Of auxiliary and
branch societies for tho year ending the LIST
instant were S25,2SS, and its expenditures
S23732.
LIS operations to a considerable extent are
blended with those of kindred institutions To-
Gated on our own soaboard; while it sustains
cbaplains and missionaries to minister vari-
ously for the benefit of seamen in the Sand
wieh Islands New Grenada Chill, Brazil, China,
st. Helena, France, Sweden, Denmark, and
New Brunswick. Those in Chill and Brazil
bear Joint commission from this society and
the Christian Union.
Sailors Homes continue to be indispensable
auxiliaries in the work of protecting and ele-
waiting seameu the one owned and sustained
by the society in Cherry street. New York,
having had within the past year 3, 069 sailor
boarders; two hundred of whom were ship
wrecked and destitute, and received aid in
board and clothing, besides various necessary
articles furnished gratuitously by friends in
the city and country, to the amount of 1854 &c
expense to the society The whole number of
boarders, since this house was opened, eleven
years ago. is $3.50.
Seamen's Banks, too, are happily accomplish
ing the objects of their establishment indu-
cling provident habits, and bringing thrift and
comfort to them and their families Their
bank in Boston having about 1915 900 placed
to their credit, while that in Wall street New
York, has about one million and a half These
institutions are chartered and managed by
their own respective boards; and the agency
of this society tends to secure the confidence of
seamen in the safety and utility of their in
creasing deposites.
Seamen's Cemeteries are now provided, pleas
antly located, and beautifully ornamented so
that those who find it necessary to 90 to the
New York Hospital have no more occasion to
dread the burial of dog in the Potter's Field
Seamen's Aduanee Wages is a subject now
great and embarrassing as are the evils of the
system, it is believed they are not beyond the
reach of redress.
Seamen'S Libraries Society has direct
ed more than usual attention to this subject
the past year, having put some 1000 volumes
on board naval and merchant vessels This
department of usefulness will be greatly aug
mented, provided legacy left the society for
hxv h. 1ota ~
of New York, is secured.
The following particulars, showing great
and decided improvement among seamen, are
abundantly corroborated by facts, viz:
/: A general disuse Of intoxicating liquors
on board Of american vessels and thousands of
total abstinence seamen on shore.
g 4 better observance of the Christian Sab
BATH
The Sabbath is not the great sailing day
from port, as formerly. Many shipmasters
give their men a portion of Saturday to make
ready for day of rest Many use neither
hook nor harpoon on the Sabbath.
Commodore Stringham, of the U. S. frigate
Cumberland, in recent visit to Athens, in
Greece, declined saluting the French admiral
on the Sabbath.
8 A better discipline at sea.
The sentiment and practice of Commodore
Mclver, of the U. S. frigate Congress, is the
growing sentiment and practice of command
ers and officers, both in the naval and mercan-
tile marine, viz: that the ldw of kindness is
better than the lash.
4. An Increasing desire for the Bible, and
good books
The literature of the sea is improving
S. Numerous Christian commanders, officers,
and sailors
ReligiousDervices on shipboard are no longer
considered out Of place; and many are the
cabins and forecastles where, morning and
evening, as well as on the Sabbath, the wor-
ship of God is observed.
THE AMERICAN AND FOREIGN CHRISTIAN
uNlON-AN ABSTRACT OF THE FOURTH
ANNUAL REPORT
The fourth anniversary of this Society
was largely attended, May 10th, at Metropoli-
tan Hall. The exercises commenced with
singing reading of Scriptures and prayer, the
last two being performed by the Rev. Dr. Pal
mer, OF Albany. The treasurer's report was
read by Mr.. Vernon, and report of the Board
by Rev. Mr.. Fairchild. Rev. DR.. De Witt pre-
SIDED.
The receipts of the society during the year
ending April 1, were SGT 507, being an advance
on the preceding year of more than 81 900
The expenditures were SOS, 742, being $4,000
more than they were in the year ending April
/, 1852.
The number of missionaries missionary
agents, and other laborers in the service of the
society, at home and abroad, was 118 last year
beng eight more than were employed in the
year preceding.
The society has been called to mourn over
the loss Of one valued agent Rev. Edward
fairchld, and three vice presidents, Rev. Dire
Mliiedoier and Wylie, and the Hon. Amos Law
renee
Inc report then proceeds to indicate some
signs OF the times" which it says "should
create deep apprehension, and call for in
creased effort on the part of the friends of the
pure Gospel These signs are thus enume-
rated
l. In the Protestant world there is the devel-
opment IN some churches, of spirit of for
maiism-of disposition to seek for Christian
uoc,rlne and modes Of worship not simply and
exclusively IN the written Word of God, but
"a the reported dogmas and practices of the
oaafch IN the early and even middle ages The
ad Oh the Historic Church, as it is termed,
called In to supply the teachings of the
q, apostolic Church" By this door, errors of
sue most dangerous and subversive nature are
creeping IN This is seen in some churches in
o treat Britain and Germany, as we'll as in our
81 a. IN the Papal world there have been de-
,b e,oPnents OF very marked character within
Of it, ,nere has been an extraordinary increase
and ',dh' a or worship of the Virgin Mary,
Ma. r uogma Of her immaculate contention
fore long O'''"eS "u'nor''a'''e'y De-
10 : g, There has been a wonderful recurrence
no,t talSe and base miracles. There has been
vtn,ng Ike this since the Reformation in the
sn;,i, mere has been an extensive revival of the
ITR.rls OF intolerance and persecution The
on,gers and other leading Rom;sh ;orrr. h
openly defend and even at. 'u Journ"'s