New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-25
j. &J.DOBSOM,
, EAST 14TH ST.
Philadelphia. SO9-Sll Chestnut st.
SAILORS AND THE GOSPEL'
THE REV. DR. c. c. HALL AT THE Poi'l
sOCIETY's ANNIVERSARY
INTERESTING EXERCISES IN THE LAFAYETTE
AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-Goop
WORK OF TIE MANNERS CHURCH.

INTERESTING EXERCISES IN THE LAFAYETTE
AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHuRcH-GooD
WORK OF THE MARINERS CHURCH.
An unusually interesting and impressive service
held last evening in the Lafayette Avenue
Presbyterian Church, Of which the Rev. Dr. DaNiu
Gregg Is pastor. The meeting the celebration
OF the seventy-sevenh anniversary OF the founding
of ihe New-York Port Society and the fourth an
niversary OF the opening of the Brooklyn Drahch'
II was conducted by Russell W. Mckee. director
OF the society. In the front gallery sat the sailors
choir ana around the gallery railing were sis-
pended the flags Of the United States. France Eng
land Russia Japan and other countries. iull-
rugged vessel in miniature was placed in front oil
the pulpit. and above were two pictures OF ocean
steamships
BY far the most interesting features OF the meet
ing were those furnished by the sailors them
selves. a Russian sailor told OF his wild and aim
less life in his younger Gays and his conversion IN
the Mariners Church He said that he was no"
"b1atswain for Christ on the old schooship al
No i6 Catharlne-st.." and said he was proud to see
the Russian flag have a place OF honor beside the
stars and Stripes. A Holland Dutchman told in
impressive words Of his debt TO the Mariners
Church. Two young japanese sailors gave earnest
testimony the work Of the church. "A fisherman
sang one OF the favorte songs of the sailors. and
at the close of the meeting Russian choir sang
one OF the hymns of the Russian people
Superintendent Davis told of the work In the
Brooklyn branch. and the Rev. Samuel Boult.
nastor of the Mariners Church. which is sup
ported by the society reported the progress OF
his work He said that II ever the gospel proved
the attractive power of salvation 1t did In the work
with the sailors
The Rev Dr. Charles Cuthbert Hall. OF the First
Presbyterian Church director of the society. de-
livered an address before the close OF the meeting
in which he said:
After what We have seen and heard here to-
night. and after what you have done in giving sncn
a liberia offering-for am sure that your gener-
osity has been prompted to respond iiberay TO TINS
call for aidthere is little opportunity for more than
a parting word from me. Nothing that couid De
said by a landsman could have such an effect n
demonstrating the value Of the work as me tes a
for the sailor in regard TO the compensaons oil nis
would choose the sea with It's freedom. Its VARIETY
appeal for the sympathy Of the landsman. He Is
full of an enthusiasm which Is ackng IN me tne
that this man has hardly an equal In the hardship
of the conditions in which he IS called upon to
which calls for much sympathy as the sailors
HIS life is little less than pathetic IT is haTa
impression OF the moral conditions which surroand
the sao and wS the vT %rsa Coming 0 the
churches and libraries and score OF simar IN, IN
81 vd tb Supreme disadvantages under which the
sailor attempts TO fight against the evils tnad 1eset
our home Influences and by the love OF our frienls
Think how We moved by the common sentiment
around US Think what the church Is TO us Tnen
subtract almost all of this out OF your HE ana
fancy Yourself one OF these wanderers over the
earth The sailor lives without n home and shut
out from tho major part of life Usef and insteai
hears nothing but the foul gossip of the forecastle
from month TO month with no new thought to
oruse his interest. -, +. +, a.,
Then when the wanderer strikes land, what is his
fate? There are human devils waiting for him at
nearly every port who would not only take rom IN
him his money, but break the strong right arm OF
his manhood You and cannot imagine the hell on
earth into which these men are preciptated when
they land from their There Is no Class or
persons that makes in the nature Of the case more
overwhelming plea for sympathy. This morning |
told my congregation OF this meeting to be held
here this evening in the interests OF the Port So
ciety After the service member OF the congrega-
tion-an officer of high rank In the Navy-tod me
that all he had In his life that was good and
whatever he may have OF name and rank. he owes
10 the Mariners Church. He said that when a
young sailor lad years ago he was led while his
life was going wrong into that church and was
converted to Christianity. Whatever am to-
day" he said. II to that church | don't see
how any reasonable man or woman could see ana
hear what have here tonight without concluding
that there is cause which must never be thrust
from us and that that IS this society. whose work
We have had laid before US tonight; and whose mis-
sion on earth is. In the name and spirit OF Jesus
Christ to welcome and lift into life the discouraged
sailor coming into port from his long, weary and
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