The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-03-21
IN AND ABOUT THE CITY
LIFE AMONG TIE SAILORS.
Rev. DR.. stitt,s Address on the Toilers
of the Sea. ------

Rev. w. C. Stitt, secretary of the Ameri-
can seainen's Friend Society. addressed a
large audience last night at the Baptist
church. He took for his subject"rne Sea"
His description of it was highly interesting
It is the sea, he said, that nourished ma
ture, heals the sick, and gives life
the ocean. 1t is a store of life, and
there are 5000 species of marine life.
The ocean fascinates the mind of man. In
spite Of waterspouts men have gone to sea
on vessels. I'VE find to-day" the speaker
seid, 81 600 coo tons of carrying capacity.
The ships no ahoat lave 100000 man in
charge, OF them" At the the beginning
OF the ce7t Try, seamsa were regarded as a
worthless, low set of men. Religion at sea
was ridiculei - The spark was kindled,
though, after a while, and sailors began ID
be saved. Societies began to be organized,
and in 1912, 1914 aud 1917 many were es-
tablished.
Men who thought that the idea of preach
ing to sailors amounted to no more than
talking to the masthead changed their
opinion. The law takes especial care of
sailors, the speaker said. Why9 he asked
Because they are separated from all men
except their captains, and we have stories
that these CAPTAINS are in some instances
cruel to them. The sailor needs protection,
and the makers of the laws have seen it.
Ships 60 in and out, and christians say
there go the ships without thinking for
one time OF the spiritual condition of the
sailors. .5-,. .----,--
Sometimes | Think the speaker said,
that our societies are at fault in this. As
far as our society is concerned, we have
fourteen laborers at home and fifteen
abroad More than 1l2,030, sailors have
found shelter in the New York home since
it was established, in 1872. There are
5000, 900 OF these sailors to be saved. They
are only on the land eight weeks out of fifty
two. If they become christians they carry
the gospel to all lands. They discriminate
christianity. Ib Is said of Boston, III man
dies without leaving legacy to Harvard,
be Is almost disgraced.' Why caa it not be
said in Savannah that no decent man dies
without leaving sum to the Port Society!
Let us make all ships floating
editices of Christ" the speaker said.
He complimented Savannah upon its
Port Society. He said that the managers
are men who are interested In the Bethel
work. He wondered why it could not be
better, since he has seen the handsome
places of worship in which the people of
Savannah worship. Savannah seems to be
a very wealthy city, and he could not see
why there is not warmer feeling toward
the sailors. When he comes here again he
nopeS TO md a sailors home.
In the pulpit were Chaplain Gilmore,
Rev. j. E. l.. Homes, Rev. Richard Webb
and Rev. DR.. Dripps. The singing was
especially good. The combined choirs in
the city furnished the music.
Rev. Mr.. Stitt will leave to-day for Rome,
accompanied by his son, who lives in that
city. He will spend few days there and
will then visit other cities in the south.
Yesterday, accompanied by Chaplain
Gilmore and some of the trustees of the
Port Society, Mr.. Stitt visited the wharves,
the Bethel and other points in Savanna h.
He expressed himself very much pleased.
The idea among the members of the Port
Society is to make home for the sailors as
soon as they are able. 1t is believed that
sleeping quarters for few will be arranged
this year, and later on a splendid home will
be prepared.