The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-30
CLOSE TO FIFTY YEARS.
THE PORT SOCIETY CELEBRATES
ITS FORTY-NINTH BIRTHDAY.

pendent Presbyterian Church on the
Society and It's Work-The President
and Secretary and Treasurer's Re-
ports-President Weeds Appeal in
the Society's Behalf-The New Board
of officers.
The Savannah Port Society celebrated its
49th anniversary at the Independent Press
byterlau church last night. The exercises
opened with chorus by the choir led by
Prof. W. N. Smith, followed by prayer by
Rev. Dr. Dripps
The hymn, Onward, Christian Soldiers, -
was sung by the congregation, and the Bible
lesson was read by Rev. Dr. Vass
Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me-" was sung by
the congregation.
The feature Of the exercises was the ad-
dress delivered by Rev. DIR. bowman of
Wesley Monumental church. DR.. Dow
mans subject was: "Savannah's Duty to the
Sailor and he chose very appropriate
text from Genesis iv.. g: Am my brothers
keeper"
DR.. Dowman's discussion of his subject
was pointed and interesting. He held that
Savaunah's duty to the sailor is great, and
he supported his assertions by an array Of
facts, which brought the subject home to
all present.
DIR. DowMAN's ADDRESS.
He said: 1--WE are in a world Of varied
resources and varied wants. The high
utility of commerce, while bringing per-
sonal profit to those engaged in it, is to bring
supply and demand together. In this age
of the development or resources there is no
demand Of necessity or luxury that
nature or art cannot supply.
Rapid transportation has almost
Tho anfinoIao ha
been brought together. the wealth Of one
continent has been poured into the lap of
another, the far OF isles Of the sea pay trib-
ute TO the civilization Of our day.
''Our mutual dependence for bodily COM
fort and for the advancement Of our mates
rial interests is but the inferior part of the
heaven-ordained relation Of man to man.
Every duty, from the lowest to the highest,
is included in the golen rule, Whatsoever ye
would that men should do to you, do ye
even 30 to them
1.-THE regulation Of every position Is found
In Christ's summary Of the second table OF
the law: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself.' The brotherly spirit that should
prevail among men is set forth in Psul's in
Junction: Bear ye one another's burdens,
and so fulfill the law of Christ
"f these principles of the kingdom Of
God on earth were recognized by all pro-
feSsedly Christian people, there would be no
wars between civilized nations, no conflict
between rulers and subjects, no strife be-
tween capital aud labor, no antagonism
between employer and employe. The rich
would not Cypress the poor, nor would the
poor be envious Of the rich.
THE PORT SOCIETY.
sour meeting Tonight is In the interest
OF one of the most important charities of
our city-The Savannah Port Society. The
history fha DnrnOgeg the nnnOrfnnitia9 Of
this society were clearly and eIoquently set
forth at the last anniversary by the preacher
on that occasion, Rev. DR.. Vass.
THE objects Of this society. as l under
stand them, are to take kindly oversight
of the sailors who Wait our port to provide
social and literary entertainment, to furnish
an attractive place of resort free from
vicious influences. to give religious instruc-
ton and comforts, and to enter any other
line Of benevolent activity for sailors that
may open up from time to time.
THE circumstances OF a sailors life
make him peculiarly dependent on help and
debar him from many opportunities Of
helping himself.
'He is almost homeless man. The ties
of kinship are weakened by long and fire.
ouent absence, The establishment and
maintenance Of home is attended with
many difficulties He is deprived OF
the tender and elevating influences
OF home life; the wife to bid him welcome
home after the lahors of the day, the chill
dren TO nestle in his arms in the COY even.
ing hour around the tireside.
'He is cut off from the associations and
opportunities OF permanent abode. Hence
to great extent he ID friendless man.
''His life ahoat is isolated and monoto-
nous, out of relation with the thought and
movement Of the world, one Of hardship,
exposure, toil-deprived of the blessings and
Of rNhr
which do 80 much to refine-and restrain
even those who do not come into close con-
tact with the institutions of religion, No
wonder that he sometimes feels that no man
cares for mis- soul His life ashore is ex-
posed TO peculiar perils.
MARK FOR THE WICKED.
mo class of men are SO unsuspecting.
though so often deceived. For no class do
so many and such vicious sharpers lie in
wait to despoil him of his hard-earned
wages. Wearied with the hardships and
the Loneliness of the voyage he is naturally
eager to come ashore. The barroom, the
low boarding house, the gaming table are
ready to welcome. TO debauoh and fleece
him.
"He needs such protection and help as the
Port Society is designed to give. He needs
1t particularly, since from the circumstances
of his life ne is unable, often unwilling, to
help himself
DR.. Dowman's facts with regard to
Savannah's commerceswere Of special In
terest.
Commerce is the life, the growth, the
development of Savannah. There is no
reason why manufacturing enterprises
should not flourish here, but the greatest
hope Of Savannah is not In them, Her
greatness and her wealth are in her com
mercial interests
"The advantages of this port for export
ing the cotton, the naval stores. the lumber
aud other products Of the interior to every
foreign land; for receiving and distributing
over the great railroad systems converging
here the commodities Of the north and east
coming by the sea, natures great and FREQ
highway, have made Savannah what she is
aud are her premise and potency Cor future
greatness.
''SavaDnah's commerce, according to re-
Gently published reports. is over S15O, 00O,-
600 per annum. This is the third port in
the United States in the value Of its ex-
ports, amounting in 1890 to over $50, 900 -
600. This is the second cotton port in
America, receiving in one season over
100000 bales, and exporting S74 900 bales.
This is the first port for naval stores in the
world, handling these products of our for
estS to the value of over $4,000 000 Over
60Oforeign vessels, carrying nearly 500, 600
tons, enter and are cleared at this harbor
with over 1900 sailors annually. The grand
total of vessels, foreign and coastwise.
antarad and nlaa rod for JQQO Woo 1 E--