The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-30
CONVERTING THE SAILORS.
The Effective Work of the Missionaries Il
the Fourth and seventh Wards.

Remarkably interesting, peculiar, and
genuine Is that great religious revival In the
meetings conducted by the Mariners Port So
ciety Meetings have been held on every fore
noon and evening since September at Madison
and Catharine streets, and at Dover and
Water streets They were conducted by young
woman, who year ago had never seen a sailor
She came TO New York In April last, and after
voluntarily Joining the meetings of the Port So
ciety, was engaged as missionary. The Mari
ners' Church was established nfty-seyen years
ago. and its doors have been open expressly for
the sailor ever since. At the last Tuesday even
ing meeting men and women, old and young,
were sobblng and begging with falterlng voice to
be remembered in the prayers OF Christians
Twenty-Five men kneeled at the front seat,
hoping there to be strengthened to forsake all
evil courses and become good men. Sailors
faces that were hardened and bronzed by the
storms nf life were hedewed with tears, as they
cried aloud for the forgiveness OF their Sins Inc
cOuntenances Of other seafarers were aglow with
cheerfulness, as they related 10 thelr shipmates
track, and how In the strength given them by
prayer and "A religious resolution they had been
able to resist every temptation.
on Friday evening last the church basement
was full nearly all seafaring men. Mr.. Murphy
read scripture and made a short address In plain
Language, easily understood by everybody. A
young lady sat near. In front OF a small musical
instrument, and led the tunes Little song
books lay on every bench, and the singing in
these meetings as also that In the Jerry Nc
Cauley meetings. in Water street, Is thrilling
specimen OF congregational singing. The
men all know the tunes, the words are sung with
the plainness OF those who feel the sentiment OF
every line and the singing Is so iIGadehdr I'M iha' M an
dresses Of the sailors are short and they possess
much originality.
white-haired pastor. on Friday night, when he
had finished his short address.
There may be some mothers prayer waited
There was no waiting Until the evening was
over, prayer followed prayer and speech fol-
lowed speech, each one story IN Itself.
The young missionary woman led the meeting
yesterday morning. She was the only woman
make It," said the leader, after she had read the
4dh Psalm " II any one wants TO sing, mem
tlnn the page in the book, so that all can join"
The songs did not lack leaders. Whenever the
young lady mentioned page In the hymn book,
II she did not start the tune, sailor hee9hvy
ing leaders, and To lie moved OF the spirit ana
their pithy speeches were more clear ana I'M
A Young man said Wen, dear friends, feel
a great deal happier than when used TO come
In here with a load on my heart All my friends
turned agin me when I got the Lord. | was
a little ashamed To stand up here ana speak,
but now want to speak ~ every meeting, W nat
a glorious thing this religion Is II makes II
man happy all the tmo. am determined to
speak for Jesus on sea or on land. ~.
didn't before. They turn to me to set
lie point, II they are getting ns iht3 "a =
| they watch me, to lind flaw, which shows that
| they know that a real Christian must be good
| man. -,
one man spoke Of twenty years on the sea
| another had not been "homo' for twenty-five
| Many who spoke had been on shore but few
| weeks or days,
Each evening, as the men pass out from meet
| ing. they hnd three women at the door VINO
checrfully shake hands with them, rms Is also
| Tie custom Of Mrs McCauley In Water street:
Every bench In the pleasant prayer meeting
room al Dover aud Water streets, was occupied
| church members who have been going t.
| meetings all their lives, going TO hell at last
| and OH their walls, and cries, and dcspairng
| howlsY They had the form without the reality
| and all they have TO do to be damned, Is to die.