Morning journal and courier., 1883-11-06
Work Among Sailors.

How the Seamem's Bethel Has PrOspered
 During the Year-A Good Record.
 The annual meeting of the Ladies Seamen's Friend society was held at the North church chapel yesterday afternoon at o'clock and was opened with devotional exercises by the Rsv. MT. Meserve. Minutes of the last meet ing were read and approved. After the re- port of the treasurer and secretary, MT. Thrasher read an interesting report giving the details of the work for the past year. He said they had reason to thank God for what had been accomplished. work had been done that eternity alone would reveal Sail ors converted at the Bethel would carry the truth wherever they went. The libraries and other reading matter sent out by the society were also silent agent for good. He detail ed his manner of visiting the vessels and said that 2, 900 of them had been visited. Tracts and other reading matter have been distribu- ted and sailors prayed with. Four meetings week had been held throughout the year. Nearly all of these meetings were conducted by himself. He gave several interesting &C., counts of eonv ersions and said that thirty eight had been converted. A reading room had been kept open every day and evening throughout the year. Here they have the privilege of 8 permanent library, daily and | weekly papers and other suitable reading mat | ter. Also bathroom with hot and cold wa l ter, which was considered quite aluxury. The sailors were also furnished with writing ma terial and urged to write home, and 117 had | written letters.
 The average daily attendance was 12 to 15. At present there were 50 circulating libraries on the sea, fourteen sent out during the | past year and exchanged. He also gave an interesting account of where some of the l- braries had been. He had also assisted men in various ways. He said that sailors were surrounded by such influences that they often get into trouble when they really are not to blame. Assistance had been ren. dered in several such cases. Several unfor- tunate and sick sailors have been helped. An interesting account was given of the Christmas entertainment last year; sixty y-five sailors were present and each received a gift At the close of the service they were reminded of and urged to accept the gift o1 God. One sailor stated that it was over if, teen years since he had received present from anyone. Mir. Thrasher said that it was largely his own fault, She had simply given way to the evil influence that had surround ed him all these years, had been drifting witL the tide. The expense of this entertain ment was about one hundred dollars
 As to the future prospect MT. Thrashel stated that there was no reason for discour agement. He looks for an increase of ship l doing good would exceed that o the past. He recommended some changes in order to make the reading room more attractive. He thought that better class of reading matter was needed. Man. of the sailors are very intelligent men ant are not satisfied with reading the stuff ant nonsense that the world was full of to day He recommended that Chambers Encyclope dia and map of the world, or what would b still better, largo gibbs, be purchased a soon as possible
 He wished to thank all those who hat kindly assisted in the work and asked tha the society send some testimony of recogni ton and appreciation to Miss Griswold, wh had kindly and Rratnitously played the orgal and led the singing for the entire year. H urged the society to take courage, remember ing that they were in thu service of the Kim of Heaven.
 At the close of his report the Rev. Mr Meserve and Dr. Rawes gave interesting ad dresses in behalf of the work.
 The expenses for the year have beer $994.3 39; receipts $1, ,1346O. The same off cers were elected except the secretary, fo which Mrs Sarah A. Booth was elected i place of Miss Gilbert, whose health would no permit her to keep the office. Henry Allipe F. W. Pardee and Judge HoIlister are on tn advisory board. Rev. Dr. Hawes will lea the Thursday evening meeting.