The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-07
AMERICAN sEAMEN's FRIEND SOCIETY.

Forty-fourth Anniversary Meetfng-Ah-
stract of the Last Annual Report-Ad-
dresses, &c.
The iorty-fourth anniversary Of the American
Seamen's Friend Society was held last evening In
the Dutch Reformed church, Twenty-ninth street
and Fifth avenue. The chair was taken by W. A.
Booth, President of the society. The proceedings
were opened with the reading Of the Scriptures.
singing and prayer, after which the annual report
was read by the Secretary. The following is an
ABSTRACT
The year 1871 has been one OF the most successful
that TIE society has yet experienced, notwthstand-
ing the heavy drain upon the resources OF the
charitably disposed community, OccasiOned by the
Chicago fire, and other kindred caamities the sab
scriptions to the Seaman's fund here being in OK
cess of any previous year. The building OF the Sea-
mems Exchange, at a cost Of 100000 has been
heavy drain upon the society's resources, but the
work has been happily and successfully accom-
1t has also supported wholly or in part from ita
treasury over forty chaplains and missionaries,
aboring in the chief seaports of this and foreign
countries These devoted men have been greatly
blessed in their manifold labors preaching the Cos
pei in bethels and on shipboard, visiting In
Scriptures, &c. An unusually large number OF
hopeful conversions Is given-mOre than two
hundred-in the reports which have been furnished
us.
Upon advice given us, after tour of inspection
by one OF our chaplans commissioned for tho pur-
pose, our missions in Northern Europe have been
readjusted so as to promise greater efficiency. A
new interest has also been created by the earnest
ness and success OF the recently appointed chaplain
in Genoa, station Of growing Importance.
The chaplans and missionaries of the society on
the home field have been laboring in Portland,
Boston, New York and Brooklyn, Norfolk, Whining
ton N. c.. Charleston, Savannah, Pensacola, Mobile,
New Orleans, Galveston, San Francisco, Buffalo, R0
chester, syracuse and along the inland waters Of
at all these stations, and announcement is felt In
regard to many persons who had gone out from
them religiously impressed.
The Sailors Home 100 Cherry street, continues
to be appreciated by seafartng men, who publish
its excellence everywhere they CO. The past year
number of boarders has been 1900, an increase OF
23s over the previous year, and Of 1887 over the
ent for safe keeping ,74l, OF which sum SIG, IA
were sent to relatives, and sa,S4S were placed In
savings banks.
The number OF libraries sent to sea during the
year ending May 1, 1872 is 1885 3l2 new and 424 re-
ftted), vessels carrying 0,sSs men, making tho
total number sent out since the work was In
augurated, fourteen years ago, 4025, containing
at least $4,000 volumes, and accessible in their
frequent reshipments to 1889 men. The total
number OF libraries shipped in the navy Is 100, ac-
cessibe at different times to 80, $50 men,
The total expenditures for the year ending May l,
1872 with balance from previous ACCOUNT, were
s6soi7 10. The receipts from all sources were
coLoRED SAILORS HOME.
At this institution, In whose AID the society h0A
made, as heretofore, liberal appropriation there
have been 60 bOarderS, among them several ship
wrecked and destitute, who have been relieved at
an expense to our treasury of S3lS. The whole
number OF boarders since this Home was opened In
1869 is II 4S8.
1t Is an interesting fact, that will bear to be fire.
quently stated, that the Home, during the thirty
years existence has saved to seamen and their
families over million and half OF dOllars-nearly
double the amount received into the sOcietys trea
sury for the support of all its operations.
Not the least OF its many excellent features Is the
Saturday evening prayer meeting at the Home:
This meeting Is sometimes crowded and iull OF
spirit and very profitable. Besides the Superin-
tendent OF the society's missionaries Is always
in attendance, as he Is always accessible to the
boarders and here in their spiritual birthplace,
prayer has been answered in the conversion OF
many souls.
The opening of the Seamen's Exchange, with ita
savings bank and shipping offices and attractive
public hall for lrctures addresses, &c. Immediately
opposite the Home, will give it additional pr0mi-
nence, and doubtless do much also to extend ttS
benefits.
At the conclusion OF the reading OF the report
Judge Benedict addressed the audience In an el0-
quent speech, and was followed by Rev. ii. M Scud-
der, OF Brooklyn and Rev. William M Taylor, pastor
OF the Broadway Tabernacle. The proceedings were
terminated by the singing OF the following hymn
Isles of the deep your redemption is hearings;
Lit with the waves the glad song OF the freet
He that was promised in triumph appearing,
Now wicds his sway DER the land and the sea-
Loud from the top of the mountains sing praises;
Valleys shall ring with the echoing strains;
Mighty in war; he the standard uprases,
Glorious in peace, he advances to reign.