The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-26
In POOR JACKS BEHALF
THE PORT SOCIETY CELEBRATES
ITS ANNIVERSARY

Thousand Friendless Seamen That
Visit the Port Every Year-The New
Bethel and How it is Managed-Last
Nights Anniversary Exercises -
President Reppard and Chaplain Gill
more's Reports-The Society's New
Officers.
The Port Society held its anniversary
meeting at the Independent Presbyterian
church last night. The audience filed the
edifice in all its parts, thronging the aisles
in the body of the church and overlooking
the galleries.
After the playing of the overture on the
organ by Miss Coburn, the opening anthem,
II waited for the Lord" by Mendeilsohn,
was sung by the choir. The beauties of the
piece were well brought out. 1t begins with
solo, followed by duet for two sopranos
and ends with majestic chorus. The sing
ing of the solos and duets by Mrs. Postell
and Miss Josie King were both sympathetic
and artistic. The choruses were well sus-
tanned, and the accompaniment was well
played. This was followed by a prayer by
Rev. A. M. Wynn, of the Wesley Monu-
mental c. urch, and the reading of a scrip
ture lesson by Rev f. H. McGehee, of
Trinity Methodist church.
DIR. BowMAN'S ADDRESS.
After the singing of the beautiful hymn,
holy, Holy, Holy to the tune of Necaea,
by the choir and congregation accompanied
on the organ by Miss Coburn, the Rev. Dr.
Bowman delivered short address in which
he pictured the hardships that seamen have
to encounter when at sea, and the many
temptations, they meet with, when II shore
In this seaport he said, there is but one
hand, that Of the Chaplain, stretched out to
help the sailor, one door open to receive
him, that of the seaman's reading room
against 500 hands and doors open to drag
HIM downward by their 500 snares.
Then came a solo, Il win Extol Thee"
from Elijah, sung by Mrs. Clara Haynes,
in which her fine voice was heard to great
advantage. Her accompaniment was played
by Prof. Steward, in his usual mastery
Istyle
In the absence of Mr. r. B. Reppard. John
l. Stoddard read the Presidents annual re-
port. Mr.. j. l.. Gilmore read his report as
chaplain. After this collection was taken
up, during which the aria, Hear We, O,
Israel" from Elijah, was sung by Mrs. Pos
tell, as an offertory. She was in the best of
voice, and her rendering of this difficult solo
was fu of charm and feeling Prof. Stew
ard played her accompaniment on the organ.
KIND WORDS FOR THE SAILOR,
Mr.. J. w. Rogan. of the First Presby-
terrain church, made short address, in
which he spoke chiefly of the necessity for
increase facilities for entertaining poor
Jack when visiting Savannah, comforta-
BILE home where he can find board at a
moderate price, and where he can more
readily be reached by gospel influence and
instruction. The sailor, the reverend
speaker said, visits all lands and speaks all
languages, and is, therefore, the best mis-
sionary to be found, If we could get him
first to believe, and afterward to carry the
gospel with him.
The best choral selection was reserved
until the last Tho he lvens are selling "
from Haydn's oratoris of the" Creation" with
organ accompaniment by Miss Coburn.
The piece received creditable rendition
parently inspired by the large
congregation sang the different parts
with wonderful accurancy and vol
ume of tone. The verse parts by Miss F.
COlding were effectively and sweetly
rendered. The accompaniment was exceed
ingly well played.
The closing hymn Almighty Father,
strong to save" to the tune Melita, was
very appropriate to the occasion, and was
oullE ny bilt CuOlI uItl congregation WITH
much vigor and expression. Not a little
disappointment was caused by the una
voidable absence of Mrs. Burke, who was
announced to play, and whom many ex-
pected to hear. The music was under
the skillful direction of Mr.. p. NJ. Dougan.
THE soCIETY's NEW OFFICERS.
At the business meeting of the society, at
the close of the church services the only
business of Importance transacted was the
election of the following officers for the
ensuing term
President-R. B. Reppard.
Vice President-John |. Stoddard.
Second Vice President-Joseph d. Weed.
Corresponding Secretary-W. S. Bogart.
Observation-Disclosures Connerat.
Mr.. J. W Burroughs resigned the Treas
urership of the society.
THE PRESIDENTS REPORT.
The Presidents report stated that during
the past year the society has taken a new
departure. 1t was found that the former
plan of having a church especially for sea
men cost great deal of money, and after
all was done, one thing was wantng-a con
gregation. In spite of the efforts of the
chaplain and Others interested, the sailors
would not come to church. The society re-
solved that as there are enough churches in
Savannah to accommodate all the sailors
VINO come Uetc IL would DE better to
look more after the temporal wants
and then use the influence thus OBJ
tanned to guide them into right paths.
To accomplish this end the church was sold
for 81, 500 and the money was invested in
securities which bring "a return of $500 per
annum.
On the north side of Bay street the society
has Bethel and reading room kown as the
sailors Rest, and it has proved great
attraction. The chaplain holds religious
services there on Sunday only
THE soCIETY'S INCOME.
The work of the society is in better CON
dition than it has ever been, but money is
wanted TO carry it on. The total income at
present from all sources is 5000 per annum,
and only 500 is contributed by the people
of Savannah. Only twenty persons are on
the books as subscribers At least
5000 are needed, and TO get this
amount, it is proposed to canvas the city at
once. Tho annual dues are 50, and 200
members are wanted The ladies are also
wanted to organize an auxiliary society and
help entertain the sailors with occasional
evening concerts etc
From the chaplain's report il appears
that the first days registration, wnen these
present rooms were opened, showed names
on the books which has increased to as high
as 80 in one day.
Fully 5 900 names have been registered up
TO date
The attendance at divine service has been
from TO 40 being present at time.