The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-25
IMITs SECOND HALF CENTURY.
THE PORT SOCIETY CELEBRATES
ITS 52D ANNIYERsARY.

Festival Chorus n Feature of the
CeIebratiOn-The Reports of the
officers and the Good showing
Made by the SOeiety-Attraeting
Attention and Receiving Aid From
Other sections-A More Active In
terest Needed on the Part of Sa-
vannahians.
The hfty-second anniversary Of the Port
Society was celebrated at the Independent
Presbyterian church last night by exer-
cises that were appropriate and interest
ing.
The occasions Of this society's annver-
sary always attract large congregations,
and last night was no exception 10 the
rule. The church was comfortably filed
at o'clock. the hour for the exercises to
begin, and still the people came. Seats for
more than 100 people were placed in the
wide center aisle, and these were soon oc-
cupied as were the galleries, and many
had TO stand during the entire services.
The music was one of the most interest
ing features OF the services The choir of
more than 100 voices from the members
of the festival chorus, under the direction
of DIT. II. r. Palmer was stationed just
in front Of the pulpit and facing the audi
ence. II comprised many Of the best
voices from the festival chorus, and the Sc
lections sung were mastered at a short-
practice held az the church just after the
morning services. The choir was a
strong one in every way, and its selec-
tons, which presented a foretaste, so to
speak Of the music that IS to be rendered
by Savannah's grand chorus was much
appreciated by every one present. The
opening selection by the choir was Trust
We in the Mighty God" by Palmer, fol-
lowed after the prayer and scripture read
ing by two stanzas Of the hymn while
Ny Redeemer is Near" and one Of the
hymn Softly Now the Light OF Day"
and concluding with the chant Of the
Lords Prayer
Chaplain II. Iverson said in his report
that the temporal. moral and spiritual well
fare Of she seamen who come here had
been much benefited during the past
year through the efforts Of the men and
women Of Savannah who have interested
themselves in the work OF the society.
He said Isl religious meetings had been
held during the year. with an average at
tendance at each of forty-four seamen.
He has made 65l visits on ships for re-
hgious purposes and seventy-seven visits
10 the hospitals He has held thirty-two
temperance meetings and rs seamen have
signed the temperance pledge for life. The
average daily attendance at the reading
rooms has been fifty-fve, and he has sent
for seslmen to their homes during the
year Sl02190. He spoke of the Saturday
night meetings and entertainments begun
at the home by the ladies' auxiliary and
said the undertaking had proven very sue
cessful and encouraging. The results of
the dormttary annex he said, had proven
very satisfactory, and during the last
summer season lodging was furnished to
nfty-three crews. Besides this a great
deal Of charity was extended IN this line,
the free lodgings amounting to about 200
nights a month. He said that more CO.
operation was needed on the part of the
churches that the society might be better
able to carry on this most unselfish Christ
ian missionary work.
The chorus sang Sing o Heavens"
by Tours, after which President II. d.
Stevens read his annual report. He be-
gan whit reference to the progress that
had been made with the sailors home
through the efforts of those who had inter-
ested themselves in the work of the Port
Society. The treasurer's report, he said
showed healthy financial condition, with
no debts and some money on hand. He
spoke of the work of the dormitory de-
partment, and the incalculable benefit
that II Is to the seamen. More than 1000
seamen visit the port annually he said, and
they being strangers need most the milk of
human kindness. He urged all church
members who are interested in such a
work and who might lend a helping hand
10 visit the rooms of the society. u
That our work has attracted attention
from the outside world is true" he said.
from the fact that not only does New
York city stand by us in substantial aid,
but even foreign lands have come in and
n a nFlr hot f- Co..
reaching as the globe itself, while the
donations and subscriptions from the peo-
pie of Savannah amount to less than $500"
He concluded with an appeal for more
active interest and further aid on the part
of the people Of Savannah who should be
more interested in the work of the So
ciety than others.
The chorus sang Blessed Is the Peo-
pie" by Righini, after whcich the adj
dress of the evening was delivered by
Rev. w. &. Schaeffer of the Lutheran
church Rev. Mr.. Schaeffer spoke of the
work of the society and it's mission for
good among the seamen who visit the
port. He drew some interesting lessons
from the subject and spoke of the society
in a way which will no doubt attract more
attention TO its work.
At the conclusion of the exercises a
short meeting of the society was held for
the purpose of electing officers for the en-
suing year. The officers elected are as fol-
lows:
Presidential. d. Stevens
Vice PRESIDENT. NJ. Barnard.
Treasurer-T. c. Clay,
Chaplain-H. Iverson.
Directors-H. d. Stevens, ]. NJ. Barnard
r. c. Clay, r. Ellington, p. NJ. Dougan,
r. B. Reppard c. s. Connerat, c. NJ. Gill
bert, J. D. Weed, Lloyd Owens, T. G.. Hun
ter. Fairly Cunningham. Walter Coney,
John C. Rowland, Joseph Clay. Julian
Schley, S. B. Adams and Jacob Paulsen.
The officers elected are the same as
those who served last year. with the exeep-
ton of Messrs. Cunningham, Adams and
Paulsen, who were added to the directory.
BISHOP BECKER IN ROME.