Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-11-23
AID FOR SAILORS.
Those Who Go Down to the Sea in Ships.
Philadelphia Record.

Those Who Go Down to the Sea in Ships.
Philadelphia Record.
During the year 1880 there were S, 4Co
foreign and cOastwise arrivals at this port.
of wnich 1,G02 were foreign vessels. At
rough estimate fully 10000 sailors OF
various nationalities sojourn temporarily
in this city in the course of single year.
While on shore they arc exposed to pecu-
liar temptations, and the Influences to
which they arc subjected arc unusually of
OF 4 dcnoralizing character. Forty-scven
| years ago al effort was made by band
Of p!lilanthropic Philadelphia ladies to
minister to the temporal and spiritual
welfare of this neglected class, and the
"Fenlalc Seamen's Friend society,"
has ever since been doing 4 helpful work
| for them. The annual report Of this asso
| citation and Of its auxiliary, known as the
Pcnnsy lvania Seamen's Friend society,"
| exhibits very satisfactory and highly
| creditable record of humane and success
full labor. The aim of this two fold
| organization is to bring Christian intlu-
ences in the largest sense, without secta,
riauism, to bear upon these men OF the
sea both while on shore in the intervals
| between their voyages and vixen atIoat.
At 422 South Front street a spacious and
| well kept " Sailors Home" has been
maintained for many years, where no less
| than 81, 473 boaydcrs have been accommO
| dated since it was opened. A good table
and good lodgin. arc provided at q reason
able price, and opportunities for moral
and religious improvement are afforded to
all but not intruded upon any. Family
worship every morning, Bible class or
| Sundays, religious services on Monday
evenings and prayer meetings on Thurs
day nights, with frequent preaching in va
| riuus languages, arc among the agencies
employed, but attendance upon these
exercises is not compulsory.
An important part OF the work of this
admirable society is its care for ship
wrecked and destitute mariners. Ship
wreck and marine disasters are, rs is well
known, cf frequent occurrence. The num-
Der of total losses Of vessels belonging to
and bound to Or from ports i'll the United
States in 1880 Was 427 in 1879, 54j in
1873. 53G, and in 1877 49G. Such of the
rescued men as arc brought to this port
become subjects for the kindly care OF
this institution, which takes them in and
clothes, feeds and shelters them until they
are enabled TO ship again. In thus blend
ing physical relief with moral aid spirit
uai bencfaction the true Scriptural charity
| Is leiiIIeu. DlOlcS anu lcSI.llneitS III
different languages are placed in the hands
OF sailors, 33,2l2 copies having been thus
distributed in this port since 1912. Vessels
ate provided with libraries, including
copies Of the Scriptures fifty five new
libraries containing G19 volumes, printed
in five different languages, having been
put on shipboard last year, while the ag-
gregatc number of volumes thus disposed
of from May, 1862, to May, 1881, was A.
447. This ia surely good showing ofgood
work. The "Seamen's Friend Society,"
has reason for existing, and it claims
favorable consideration. and substantial
aid of the humane citize6s of Philadelphia
of all religious communions. 1t is one of
the most deserving of our local charities,
and it should be encouraged to the end
that It's means of doing good may be in
creased.
Rev. George W. Maclaushlin, y mem-
Der Of the Philadelphia conference, is now
assistant corresponding secretary, and is
doing good service in securing funds to
help forward this good work, lie epreach-
| cd in St. Paul's Methodist church last
Sunday and expects to remain here fer
further effort in advancement Of the cause
he represents.