The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-05-11
INTERESTING EVENT
Interesting Exercises Of the seamen's
Bethel Held Sunday.
a GREAT WORK AMONG THE SAILOR LADS

Makes II MR.niHceMt Exhibit az Tho
WORK Among tile staIcn who Go
Down 10 ahc Sen IN ShIps,.
al 81 Luke's Episcopal church Sun
Gay afternoon the seyenty-first ami
.ersafy or the Seamen's Friend Society
was appropriately celebrated in the
presence or large audience.
An excellent programme had been nro-
pared ana was admirably executed. In
ciuulns delightful music and other fen
lures Rev. DR.. W. S. Lacy, pastor of
second Presbyterian church. conducted
IN aevotionai exercises These were
iolloWed by interesting introductory re-
marks by Col. William Lamb. with ;.
' VI sketch Of the society and a history
.! the famous Dictator disaster Mt Vir
sihia Beach several years ago.
- me address was made by Rev. w.
=: Dung -. d.. pastor Of Epworth NT
=; church, and also by Rev. Arthur S.
LLOYD, rector Of ST. Lulse's.
TIE CIIAPLAIN'S REPORT
Hev. j. 3. Merritt, the Seamen's chan
iali. made the following interesting re-
port of his work:
Dear Brcihren:-Wc meet to-day. Won
70 near and l to give, an account of
.ie t!iap'tin work for the past twelve
iaonths. This work is Of no~rninor I'M,
portance, it is labor especially for the
sous or those that so down TO the son
III ships that do business in the preat
waters. While there have been many
announcements yet, on the whole, we
nave great cause to be thankful TO Al
mighty God that we have hepn .hln RI
GREER ana help many souls, and MANY
VINO otherwise would have suffered hav,,
been relieved - -
just Tor one moment think Of the value
~ single soul saved; then imagine a
night who is fed and shclterefl then Of
one suflclenly clothed having raiment
provided Tor him. If it were yOur broth
or or son who was brought to Jesus.
Who was led and clothed and lodged
you would not esteem it lightly: yct
these men We're equally dear 70 somn onn
far away |
II you were to hear that one OF Yours
nad wandered far away, was sick and
iriendless in u hospital needing friends
70 cheer and soothe him, If you should
near mat he had died YOU would he glad
TO know that some seamens chanInin
mad consoled him in his last hours and
Sd" mat MS mortal remains were not
denied Christian burial then you would
mighty appreciate this work
we could tell you many n tale Of the
wrecked. the sick and the dying ca,od
tor. There is no nearer way to a shin
wrecked soul than that found in min
lstrring TO his temporal necessities
wen measure your faith, which they
cannot see, by your works, which they
t Sau see. sometimes when the hearers
nave been few discoura gements have
come; then some man would tell of bcne-
1tts conferred and bring cheer 10 nv
heaft Sometime ago Il testament was
given TO man; in a short time he re-
turned and said 1t had been the means
VI MS conversion, and wanted one for q
friend out of Christ
me sailor Is poor, but makes many
flch; ne has done so much for the pros
perity OF our city that we ought 10 an
preciate him. Let us not be unmindful
OF the sailors lot-his condition is thn
strongest appeal 10 us. He comn,ssrs
every sea that he may bring us delica-
cies and comforts, and himself is often
compelled TO live on the p!ainest fare
THE SAILORS ITARDsHIps
Think Of the hours of his labor. Much
is sad these days about the hours of
labor; then in what other manual oc
cupatlon are men compelled to go
through such severe prOtracted and eX-
hausting labor. Where is the iaborer
on land who has to so through such
exposures from wind and rain ana cold
ana storms? He must also visit un-
heaithful shores. Then when the days
ihbor Is ended you can seek The bosom Of
your own family-hc to his lonely bunk.
suppose II 4 sailor were to talk about
"h clEHl noll law lie would be deemed
crazy. Many captains ana men 10 not
see their families for years; so let us
give such allcviations as we may be able
to the sulferings the sailor must en-
dure.
Religion will make the sailor happier
ana more useful in the discharge of his
duties; let us Christianize him, so that
officers and men will respect each other
more. so that there will be really and
truly a life on tho ocean wave and a
home on the rolling deep. You will see
by the tenor OF this paper that It has
been my aim to awaken in you q dee;cr
interest for this class Of men.
Let this cause be mentioned often in
your prayers and a service once at least
each year in every church in which
mention Is made Of this interest 1t is
not enough to send a chaplain to min
ister to Scamcn and then think you have
done Your whole duty. This work great
~ needs your services. You are your
brothers. keeper. Men believe you arc
IN earnest when you give yourself we
need your money and your prayers; they
are valuable. But when you give your
self God will honor the offering | am
glad To mention that the st. Andrews
Brotherhood of st. Luke's and ST. Peters
churches, and few from OF her
churches, have rendered valuable assist
ancc to the chaplain in gathering sail
ors and in the conduct Of the music.
So also have the Kings Daughters car
H.. II.