The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-04-27
Portland seamen,s Friend Society.

AT the recent meeting of this society the re-
port was, in important respects, very encourag-
ing. The past has been year of precious re-
suits. The reading room in the church has
proved all that was anticipated. 1t has been
visited by a great many seamep, who have met
a cordial welcome and found retreat safe,
pleasant and profitable. More than six hun
dred letters have been written, and scores have
found our religious meetings, who otherwise
would never have been drawn in. AT one time
it was nearly overrun and nearly captured by
Cramps" but was rescued, and is now held
exclusively in the interest of the sons of the
ocean. Some 80 libraries have been put up and
sent to sea during the year, making 172 at this
port.
The religious meetings of the Bethel have
been unusually blest. Meetings were held eve
ry evening during January, and from to four
weekly since. The religious interest has been
deep and constant though perfectly quiet,
seemingly not dependent upon "works," but on
unseen influence, beautiful in power and re-
suits. There has been no attempt to enumer.
ate, but certainly large number have signified
their purpose to lead new life, and have de-
the sea. Quite a number have returned stead
fast in faith. Last Sunday evening some ten
or twelve requested prayers. A pleasing fea-
ture Of the work has been the very cordial and
harmonious union of the Portland reformed
brethren in the meetings of Sunday morning.
These meetings still continue with unabated
interest.
The visits to the boarding houses and wharves
have been constant and systematic. More than
600 packages of papers, periodicals and tracts
have been placed Cd ship board, besides distri-
button by our visitors. Some 1900 copies of
the Bethel Flag" have been published and
circulated freely in our work.
We again gratefully acknowledge the thought
full kindness of friends who have given valua.
BILE reading matter, both periodicals and books,
without which our work would have been far
more imperfect The Bethel enterprise rests
on its friends, largely outside of the few church
workers. united and cheerful band-at the
church on Fore street. 1t must still rest thus.
We cannot expect to draw men and women
from the larger societies. where they are so
greatly needed, to become personally engaged
part of their work Noble supporters have
gone. We shall not soon forget Deacon G. j.
Morris, so well known and hOnored for integ-
rity and benevolence, withdrawn the past year.
We need others to fill their places.
The aim is to do the greatest amount of good
with the least possible outlay. But the in
creased facilities for doing good, named above,
have affected the treasury. The reading loom
was not obtained and furnished without cost,
in changes in the interior of the church, and
for care and furniture. 1t must add somewhat
to current expenses.
The debt of the Bethel is very small, and
that only for month or two just passed. But
the outlook owing to the long continued de-
preston of business, is unusually dubious.
Could the Bethel but 60 along entirely without
money, it would have at length solved the prob
lem of perpetual motion. 1t is worth some
thing to have come near it. The entire expen-
SEES of the society, including pastors salary,
do not exceed $500 for the year. We trust the
friends of goodness, especially those whose in
come is not seriously affected by the times, will
remember this work with peculiar interest.
JOHN Ell. TRUE Treasurer.
f. SOUTHwORTH, Secre tary.