The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-02-17
FORTY-SEVEN YEARS OLD
THE PORT SOCIETY CELEBRATES
It's ANNIVERSARY.

lis = NNlN q hCAE
Rev. Robb White Delivers the Ami
versary Sermon-President J. D
Weed Reviews the Society's Work
The Chaplain's and Treasurer's Re
ports-The Society's Needs-The Off
GERS For Next Year.
The Savannah Port Society celebrated its
forty-seventh anniversary last night al
Christ church. No services were held at
the other Protestant churches. The ami
versary service was largely attended.
Rev. Robb White preached the anniver-
sary sermon from the text, 81 am able to
do all things through Christ Jesus which
strengtheneth me-" He dwelt upon the
character of Paul before and after his con-
version.
Following the sermnn came the reports
of the society's officers. President j. d.
Weed gave an interesting history Of the
Bethel and the Port society, which was or
ganized fOrty-seven wears ago. The effort
to make the old Seamen's chapel on Bay
street attractive to visiting sailors by hold
ing regular Sunday services resulted in
failure.
THE soCIETY's NEW WORK.
The unfruitful efforts led to changes,
among which was the establishing of read
ing-room, where the daily papers, foreign
and domestic, could be placed at the disposal
of the seamen. Besides these inducements,
room where, during the week and on
Sundays divine services could be held, was
provided. The Bethel on Fran kiln square
was sold, and in September, 1887, the Port
Society, in order to begin work promptly
under the new plan, secured two
rooms on the north side of Bay
street, east of Lincoln. News
papers, foreign and domestic, were kept
on file The number of seamen which at
tended, and the hearty interest of both
officers and men, testified at once to the
wisdom of the step and the benefit of the
plan under which the society is now work.
ing. The rooms first engaged in short
time proved inadequate to comfortably
hold the visitors, and larger quarters we're
taken, the building at Abercorn and Bay
streets.
THE LADIES' AUXILIARY SOCIETY.
81 am glad to say,n the president added,
shat this august body, the board of man
ayers, is not the only prop upon which the
Port Society can lean; for besides the con-
trlbuting members and our interchangeable
chaplain, there is band of earnest ladies'
who have contributed very much to the
interest and the success of the work. They
have given concerts, provided at vari-
Gus times refreshments, and fur
nished tho music during divine
services, and besides have collected a
sum to be expended as the y may think be It
for the interests of the society. To those
ladies the board Of managers wish to offer
their thanks, and to make this public &C
acknowledgement Of their appreciation Of their
services"
The society is dependent somewhat upon
the American Seamen's Friend Society of
New York for the existence of its work.
The president said that the work, to be car
ried on successfully, must be aided
CHAPLAIN GILMoRE's REPORT.
Chaplain Gilmore said that during the
last year the attendance at the reading
rooms and at divine service on Sunday was
80 per cent. greater than it was the year be-
fore. Between 5000 and 5000 people have
visited the rooms since August. The attend
ance at the social meetings shows a largein-
crease. Although between 100 or 200 can
find room in the chapel, many times the
number has been too large to be accommo-
dated. The attendance of officers of vessels
has also largely increased. The name of
the Savannah Bethel has gone out for and
wide. Hundreds of letters are received for
sailors in care of the Bethel, newspapers.
periodicals and books have been donated
from time to time by friends and ways are
provided for the entertainment of the sea-
men.
The chaplain suggested that in order to
carry on the work successfully, quarters
are necessary. The rooms should be pro-
vided with late literature for those seamen
speaking different languages. Many sea-
men come to this port who do not speak
English, and they should be provided with
literature, just as the American sailors are
Remember" the chaplain said, "that
while we are caring for the strangers from
other shores, foreign bethels are taking
care Of Americn seamen."
THE soCIETY's FINANCES.
Treasurer G. S. Coanerat's report showed
the total receipts for last year and up to
date to be So, l49 rs, and the disbursements
Sl,5S6 16, leaving balance In the treasury
OF 1868 62. The membership for last year
was ", against los for the year previous
After the anniversary services a business
meeting was held for the purpose of elect
ing officers. The following is the result of
the election:
President-Joseph D. Weed.
First Vice Presdent-James NJ. Barnard.
Second Vice President-John F. Wheaton.
Secretary aud Treasurer-C. s. Connerat.
Corresponding Secretary-W. S. Bogart.
Chaplain-Rev. j. L. Gilmore.
Board of Manager oseph D. Weed, J.
M. Barnard, Jr., R. B. Reppard, J. F.
Wheaton, J. c. Rowland, C. M. Gilbert,
w. w. Mackall, Jr., James H Hunter, c.
s. Connerat, George l.. Cope, S. P. Ham
hton, Robert Ellington, Tracy G. Hunter,
and T. Lloyd Owens.
The music was feature of the ami
versary service. The offertory by Messrs.
Walker and Mckenzie, and the quartette,
There is an hour of hallowed peace,n were
exceedingly well rendered.