The morning news., 1891-02-16
FRIENDS OF POOR JACK.
TEE PORT sooIETY's 4srH ANSI-
VERS AIRY.


President Weeds Report Upon Last
Years Work-Ihs Society's Plans
The New Board Of Oncers-
Wesley Monumental church was filed last
night with the friends OF the Savannah Port
Society, TO witness the celebration Of its
4Sth anniversary exercises.
In the pulpit were Rev. c. E bowman.
pastor Of Wesley Monumental church; Rev.
DR.. Dripps OF the Independent Presbyterian
church, Rev. Dr. L e. Vass Of the First
Presbyterian church, Rev. T. II. Blenus Of
the Christian church, Rev. Robb White Of
Christ church, and DR.. W. S. Bowman Of
the Lutheran church.
The exercises opened with a chorus
by the choir, which was composed
of a large number Of good voices. Prayer
was offered by Rev. Mr.. bowman. Rev.
7. II. Blenus read the opening hymn,
''onward Christian Soldiers" Rev. Robb
White read portion of Psalm civ. DR..
Dripps read the second hymn, 20 Para
disc which was rendered by the choir.
DIR. vAss' ADDRESS.
The anniversary address was delivered by
Rev. DR.. NaSS He began by saying that,
as be was a stranger in the city, he had
sought out the facts Of the origin and hiss
tory Of the Port Society, which might be Of
interest to men Of longer residence.
More than fifty years ago Josiah Penheld
became deeply interested in the welfare OF
seamen visiting this port DESTROYS of con-
tinuing good work agong them, he left
legacy to build q mariners church. This
bequest resulted in the organization Of the
Savannah Port Society, Nov. 81, 1s43, and
its Incorporation by. the legislature Of
Georgia in December Of the same
year. With the Penfield legacy the
Bethel on Bay street was built.
The original oble I Of the gift was to pro-
videa chapel where divine service should
be held for seamen- After many years Of
faithful work and regular religious SER
vices it was demonstrated that these SER
vices alone were not sufficient to attract the
sailors. The plan was enlarged by adding
reading room, open every day, where
papers and magazines aud other attrac-
tions might. be offered for entertainment
and instruction and pleasant gathering
place might be afforded t. all sailors
THE socIETYs oBJECT.
In the preamble Of the act Of incorpora.
tion by the state OF the Port society. TO
which the Penfeld fund was entrusted, it
was declared that the society had for its
object the temporal, moral and religious
Improvement OF the seamen frequenting the
port of Savannah. The society has
had a varied and interesting history,
which need not be recounted in detail but
1t has been one grand aim to add a
mariners home" where sailors can, for a
reasonable sum, obtain quiet, safe and
comfortable lodging. free from the tempta-
tlons and deadly influences so quickly
thrown around them when they touch
land.
Commodious reading rooms and q ball
for chapel services and other gatherings
are occupied by the society on Bay street.
Papers and magazines in several languages
and popular games for general amusement
are supplied. There are 10 funds to employ
chaplain at present, bnt several
every Sabbath evening and have
excellent audiences. Jealous hcrisrian
women conduct the singing, aud from time
TO time give free concerts. A young man,
Dane. is employed in charge of the rooms
and to give a general supervision to the
temporal affairs and claims Of the seamen
visiting the rooms.
THE soCIETY's MEANS LIMITED.
With the very limited funds in hand the
president and his coadjutors are doing what
they can 10 overtake the great and import
ant work committed to their charge. Their
resources are wholly inadequate, and the
Importance of the work is far too lightly
estimated by the public. 1t is, perhaps,
scarcely given thought by most Of the
people of this city.
Many are not aware of the fact that
more than 10000 sailors enter this port
from all quarters of the world every year.
There are half a million sailors in the
United States maritime service. In the
world there are more than 3,000, 900 men
who s'go down to the sea- There is O
business aspect as well as a religious side to
the mighty problem, "How shall this vast
army of men be cared for7" is often asked.
STATISTICS OF SAILORS.
The prosperity of Savannah Is largely
dependent on those 10000 men. The ex-
ports and imports of Savannah in 1889
were 15,00o,0o0. All this was moved by
this power. Look at seamen," said DR..
Vass, ''as your tools, a low view and un-
Just, but you want your agents to be faith
full and true agents. Trade is increasing.
This city is now the first naval stores port
of the world and the second cotton
port In America. Markets are opening up
to the interior. An increasing feet of sail
ing and steam vessels and larger number
OF foreign tramps enter and leave this port
every year. The success of these vessels,
freighted with southern wealth. and their
safe voyages around the world depend on the
fidelity, courage, daring and true manhood
OF these hardy. tars. Whatever
meuts, arrests abuse and waste
of moral forces. checks dissipation Of every
kind. accompanies them in labor, talks to
them in storm and sings in sunshine; what
ever elevates thus rebounds to Savannah s
prosperity, and is wealth to the city. The
wise outlook OF this society has just this
benevolent and utilitarian scope"
DIR. Vass discussed the subject from a
more general point of view, and on broader
principles, considering the duty and
humanity due from one class to another,
He held that these humanizing forces are
the grand preservatives of civilization.
The address lasted about three quarters of
an hour and was polished, intelligent and
highly interesting discourse.
DIR. Vass was warmly thanked for his
effort by the officers and members of the
society.
PRESIDENT WEEDS REPORT.
President J. d. Weed read his annual re-
port, which recited the work and condition
of the society. he stated that it's great
need is friends to carry out its work upon
the plans projected The society is now
without chaplain. 1t is desired to secure
one who can speak Scandinavian and Ger
man as well as English, as q large number
Of the seamen who visit this port are Scan
dinavians and Germans.
The following mention was made of the
friends who had given the society the bene
ft of their services, with special mention OF
the Ladies' Auxiliary Society: 1--WE wisl
TO acknowledge the assistance we have re-
ceived from Ehe Rev DIR Dowman IN all