New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-20
OPENING OF THE NEW-YORK MARINERS
UnIrcE


The New-York Mariners House, No. l73 Cherry
street. was opened yesterday. under the auspices of
the Mariners Family Industrial Society-Mrs. C. W.
Hawkins presiding The exercises were commenced
with prayer, which was offered by the Rev. j. Stew
art, Of the Baptist Bethel Church.
The Rev. c. J. JONES, Pastor Of the Mariners
Church. made q statement of the object in view by
the opening Of this house. He said il was not started
in the spirit OF opposition, and, although it might to
some bear such an aspect yet II could not be- con-
Sdered going beyond mutual rivalry in extending
to sailors facilities for their comfort and tho adj
vancement Of their general interests. $3.50 had been
received for the promotion of the enterprise $i95 had
been expended in furnishing the house, and 500 more
are wanted 10 complete the comforts of the house.
The Rev. SAMUEL ID. ALEXANDER spoke Of the
sailors Of antiquity, and after presenting some in
stances of the degradation of sailors of the past com
pared their position and privileges with those of the
present. He contrasted the degradation sfthe Roman
mariner with the dignity of the modern sailor The
field of the sailors influence had been wldened and
new facilities daily springing up for the further
ance of true prir cples and pure morality among they
"wbo 90 down to the sea in ships He was glad to
see the ladies engaged in this work, and argued thas
they were prominently adapted for this work.
The Rev. Mr.. ARMITAGE of Norfolk street Baptist
Church spoke of the Christian characteristics Of the
institution they had met to inaugurate.
Captain HART of the Sailors Retreat, 5. l., then
made one of his speeches. which he only can make 50
as TO be- fully understood as an old sailor by sailors
The Rev. THEODORE L. CUYLFR then delivered a
brief but happy and effective speech, hoping that this
movement would be characterized by spirit of
friendly rivalry for the general benefit OF one grand
object.
The last speech was made by tho Rev. j. Z. WAR
REM Secretary of the Seaman's Friend Society, who
recognized this adjunct to the great work in the
dissemination of truth among a class who had been
too long mncared for.
The proceedings brought to close by the
Rev. OLA HFLLASD, Danish Missionary, and the BEN
ediction BY the Rev Mr.. GEovRY.
The HOUSE.
The house has been TO some extent furnished by
ladies of the Mariners Family Industrial Society and
the rooms are classified follows: The Pacific Room
well furnished by lady Of the Rev. DIR. Alexander =
church: the Atlantic Room, by the Church OF the
Puritans; and other which have been furnished
on the same principle by ladies' connected with the
Rev Mr.. Rankins church and Madison street Mari
ners Church. The bedseads are of iron, the floor
ore comfortably carpcted. The house is well fitted up
with baths and water closets and on the roof is
mOdious cupOla commanding a beautiful view of the
Sound across the river and down the bay.
There is a reading and smoking room in front COM
fortably provided. The rooms are well lighted with
gas The house will provide accommodations for fifty
sailors quite number have already taken their abode
there II has been furnished as stated above, and
handed over to Mr.. w. :. Wilder, pleasant Old man,
who with his cheerful wife, seem determined to make
their boarders happy when ashore.
1t to be hoped that the Mariners House may prove
instrumental in preventing much of the imposition
pracced upon poor sailors by the keepers of board
inghOuses destitute of the common comforts OF lie
beyond very ordinary bed.