Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-11-08

Mite boxes. .........,.,,......,...... 10 "a
Iotal. ......................''.. Doool ~
The expenses were 5000 S.; balance in
treasury 1902. SO. The expenses included
81, 200 for salary of superintendent and
missionary, home expenses including rent,
$9S4.77.
The report of the superintendent of the
Bethel, Rev. John o. Bergh, was in sub
stance as follows: He spoke of the read
ing room and told of all the papers re-
ceived. Eight hundred and sixty four
letters have been received by the sailors
and $40 written at the reading room.
There were 1893 visits at the reading
room during the past year. 1t is not an
unusual sight to see on Sunday evening
fifteen or twenty men in the reading room
waiting until evening meeting begins, and
after the meeting coming again to get
bundle of papers to take aboard ship.
The attendance of the sailors at the
meetings was highly encouraging. OF this
Mr.. Bergh spoke also cheeringly.
During the year eighteen persons have
publicly signifed their readiness to accept
Jesus Christ as their savior. Besides these,
whom it has been cur privilege to see and
hear, we know that good influence has
been exerted in other ways. Fifty-nine
persons have signed the pledge. Some of
these came back alter the meetings and
some brought others, which proves that q
word spoken at the meeting was effective.
| These meetings owe o great deal of their
SUCCESS to the kindness of Christian help
| ere, Rev. Mr.. Poteat, Rsv. Mr.. Pollard,
| Mr.. Sands and others having assisted, as
also the young peoples societies of the
| Calvary Baptist and Howard avenue
churches: In our temperance meetings
we have been helped by Mr.. Ludington,
| md Inv rial n
ance orders of the city. We have held
eiahty-six meetings, with total attendance
| of {, 033 persons.
Since the society was organized w Ii
braries have been sent out. Of this num-
Der four have been lost with the vessels,
leaving 50 libraries in circulation at the
present time; SO exchanges have been
made; 2,03S magazines, over 5000 papers,
1900 pamphlets, 81 bibles and 246 other
books have been given away during the
past year. Visits are made to the vessels
and barges along the wharves in order to
invite men up to the reading room and
meetings, and 1880 vessels have been Wis
tied within the year just closed. The sail
boat belonging to the society has been of
some use in visiting vessels in the harbor,
but it ia dependent on the weather, and
one of our pressing needs is steam OF
naphtha launch in which to visit vessels.
We are far behind other port cities in this
respect.
The record of the home for the past
year has been rather gratifying, consider
ing its condition; there have been 451 new
arrivals, 2,877 lodgings furnished, the total
| number of men served is 3,43S, making
1897 meals served at the home.
Mr.. Bergh then went on to speak of the
J unfitness of the present home and the need
of larger and better building. He also
spoke Of the work done in encouraging the
sailors to save their money and said that
by sailors for safe keeping, while money
and clothes had been given away to sicf
and needy sailors and others had been aid
!, cd in every possible way in securing en-
ployment and help.
The report of the recording sec1etsr,
) was as follows:
= THE RECORDING SECRETARY'S REPORT.
K The report of the recording secretary, Mis-
9 Mary E. Law, shows that the year just close
!, was an uneventfui one In the annals of the sc
;. | work Our warmest thanks are due to tn
II dramatic club of this city, who very generousl
d at the New Haven opera house. We also entel
!; tanned the Congregational club Of this city a
dnlns Ga e1sn
70 given the proceeds of the exhibition of two Of hi
in
a. 1t was decided that we should invest th
money and gee If the sum would not bs increase:
re- and the Investment has proven q very prot1tabl
Our faithful msnager, skilled in the making {
y choice cake, declares herself ready to take O
y ders for the same and will give the profits of he
III small sum from the sale of our "Cure for ChaI
as ped Hands," the receipt for the making
is All the h5ss nzgs of may OF
r. tribes and unworthy our attention as societ.
s
s Of the proverb that it is many a mckle tns
at makes the muckle.
n, The only change in the executive committe
% has been the resignation Of Mrs Albert s. Ho
ne good judgment and great ability.
% peated absence from home We wsIc ome to tt
On place made vacant Mrs. c. H. Stetson
to We cannot fail to mention with regret IL
ch death Of Mr.. Lewis Fitch, who had ever man
tie Tested hearty interest in the work of this 81
st ciety. His legacy shows his sympathy and a.
IL proval of our methods
Ds Christmas was celebrated with all good chez
to | and though the night of our festival was
ii. stormy one there was no lack of brightness an
it the holiday spirit of good will to men in tt
The Christmas tree at the Bethel
~ a regular institution, and many a CAPITA
in | remembering the pleasant hours spent arous
its branches steers his vessel into port by Chris
lie mas week 80 that he may enjoy its fruits. Mar
he | pair of friendly hands had been occupied uu
re- ing the summer months preparing the glf
of ! which adorned the tree.
ne | Eacn sailor present received q warm kn1tCe
of cap and a package of candy.
On Before the tree was stripped of its gifts e.
n 1oyable musical entertainment was given By tt
Tyler, who delighted the audience by his brial
n. playing on the xylophone.
ed Afterwards the men went down stairs to tt
ss reading room where bountiful feast was serve
ck | by the ladies to over hundred sailors.
'g On Easter service appropriate to the day WI
s. held and after tha service flowers were given
lis all the men present. Who can estimate how fs
be the Influences of these festivals may extend!
as l The burden that lies heaviest upon the hear
he Of all the managers is the imperative ne ed Of
&C. | new home suitable for all the requirements
ch | the work. The building which we now occup
n, | attempts to make it weatherproof 1t onl
ne hab1table last winter on account OF the clemeI
ID ! weather, and even then the complaints of tt
ut | dtscomforts OF the house were many. If tn
It. winter prove severe one there will be choio
he left to the managers but to close the home for
~ few months and this Is step which they will /
most reluctant to take.
ne SO we feel that we must direct all effor
Ill | this year to the securing new building on tn
rs land which we already own.
LIB 1t has been said in the B'be that the best e.
o. th hsse beoaty is recorded OF
quering prayer is recorded Of a woman
faith and prayer her love and seif-sacr flcin
a in the name Of Christ Soon then, may we hop
Q. pleteness.
al Our grateful thanks are due to our auditor, M,
=" A. b. Morse for his valued work, to tn
seddteTsen q the press to our advisory boare
> Us the use Of their chapel We would also than
90 the many friends whose sympathy and aid hav
10 never failed u.s. AZ we look backward we I'm
With signs 81 greater blessing s to 10
y low. In behalf Of the board of managers.
MARY E. Law,