Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-08-09
From the Liverpool Mercury, July 16.
JACK ASHORE IN NEW ORLEANS.

Much as philanthropy has done in Liver
pool for the material, moral and spiritual
welfare Of the hardy men who carry her
commerce across the seas, we may neVerthe-
less learn something from the experience of
others in the same field of action, and, per-
haps add touch Of grace to the institutions
whose chief recommendation at present IS
their severe utility. We are led into wri-
ting few lines on this subject, as the result
of an interview we have had with the Rev.
DR.. WitherspoOn, of New Orleans, who
brought with him an introduction to the ed
itOr of the Mercnry from brother journal
ist across the Atlantic, the editor of the New
Orleans city Item. The reverend doctor, as
we learn from this and other c0mmunica-
tons and from half an hours conversation
with him, has charge when at home OF an
institution which combines sailors home
with sailors bethel, a sailors reading
room, Il sailors restaurant, and sailors
place of amusement; and he is now travel
ing through the principal ports of the old
world with view to pick up any new ideas
that may help him in his work. On his way
over in recognition Of his labOurs among
the seamen of New Orleans, he was the
guest of the steamship Yucatan, Of the {. l.
and p. G.. Line, and in this city, he is the
guest of Captain Robert Watson, who, he
says .has launched him well in Liverpool"
He also brings with him recommendations
from high officials both in the state and the
church across the Atlantic. At the request
of the President Of the United States, for in
stance, the Secretary of State has, "on ac-
count Of the commendablc nature of his
mission" given him such letter Of intro
duction as is not often written to the diplo-
matte and consular officers of his Govern
ment throughout Europe. Then the Brit
ish consul ut New Orleans (Nlr. A. G. de
Fontbanque) writes, 81 most warmly rec
take an interest in this too much neglected
and often ill-used class. He has the support
and esteem Of all my foreign colleagues"
The Bishops Of Louisiana and Mississippi
commend him. Bishop Thompson writes,
"Though not in our communion DIR. With
erspoOn has always received the highest
consideration from the Clergy Of the Amer
lean Church, and his high character, his
devotion and success in his special work,
has been such as to win the cOmmendatiOn in
and encouragement Of all Christian people in
New Orleans" Bishop Galleher writes-"l
desire to commend him for all Christian
our common Master, and ask for him all
courtesy and kindness. He is doing good
work for the sailors" The Presbytery Of
New Orleans, Of which he is Il member,
grants him his credentials, and adds, "Du-
ring his absence from this country he is af-
fectiOnately and cordially commended to
the fellowship of our Presbyterian brethren,
and Of all Christians wherever his lot may
be cast"
This being the man, we turn next to his
work. Having passed through the War of
Secession-in which, being a Southerner, he
naturally took the Southern side-Dr., then
plain Mr.. Witherspoon, on the invitation of
Rev. DR.. B. NJ. Palmer, went to New Or
leans to take charge Of the mission work
connected with that gentleman's church.
He had not been there long before some sea-
men, whom he had gathered around him,
desired him to open for them reading and
writing room, where they could spend their
spare hours, near the river. With the as
sistance of a few friends this was accom-
Dlished, and the room thus established be-
came the nucleus of the great institution
over which DR.. WitherspoOn now presides.
New buildings were erected in 1877. In the
course of the following1S months these had
to be four times enlarged and added to. In
1881 more land was bought, and more build
ing took place. So that at the present time
the institution embraces Il chapel with ac-
commodations for 400 persons, a reading
room, Il home with sleeping room tOr5O, and
Il concert hall seating 500 persons. 1t is
called collectively the New Orleans Bethel
name which evidently has Il widersigniti-
cation across the Atlantic than it has here.
For, as will be seen, it includes a great deal
besides the mere provision for holding reli-
gious services. The distinguishing feature
of the Bethel, indeed, as compared with
other institutions of the kind in various
parts of the world is, we should say, the
happy harmony with which it combines
secular amusement with moral Influences
and religious instruction. The ordinary
Sailors Home is often Of far too severe Il
type to win the affections or even the SYM
pathy of so Bohemian and volatile a class
as our seamen.
never could stan
| Them Sailors Homes for man is man,
| And bell for dinnerand Il bell for tav,
And Il bell to sing and bell to pray,
| And bell for this and Il bell for that,
| And "Wipc your feet upon the matt
And the rules hung up; and fined if You re late,
And chap like bobby shuttin' the gate
1t isn't reasonable, that it ism:
| They calls it Il Home, | calls it a Prison.
| The promoters and managers of the New
Orleans Bethel have managed to steer clear
ofthis rock Ofover-severity. of What is more,
they have been careful not to shut theil' in
stitutiOn off from the rest Of the world as if
it were IL mere asylum or ghetto for sailors
only. 1t is open to the general public as
well as the Seamen, and the citizens gener-
| ally of New Orleans, Of all classes and all
crccds, take Il common interest in using
and supporting it. We have this on no
er po1e statement of interested witnesses.
! Our own consul, NJ. de FOntbanque, thus
writes of the institution in one of his official
reports, which has been printed in this
| country as parliamentary blue book: ut
| (the BetheD is not onlya Il place of worship