The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-03
WORK AMONG SAILORS.
How Madison Edwards LabOrs to Save
Seamen's Souls.

The Volunteers Of America held an
unusually enthusiastic meeting a,
their Mechanic street barracks last
night, preparatory to the visit of Mrs
darlington Booth to the city TODAY
Inc commander of the local post homes
70 nave very large audience to greet
the distinguished visitor at the Y M
c. A. hall this evening, and he urrad
those present last night to come pre-
pared to hear one of the greatest lee
lures ever delivered in the CITY.
Inc principal feature of the meeting
last night was an address by Madison
Edwards of the mission of the Boston
Seamen's Aid Society, located in Vine
yard Haven. The work that Mr.. Ed
wards carries on there is peculiar. and
he tells Of it in modest, discursive
style that makes it all the more pleas
urable to listen to-
The mission work there is entirely
among the sailors and the method OF
work is one that but few men would
care to devote themselves to.
Mr.. Edwards has furnished to him by
his society a gasoline launch in which
ne goes out to the vessels anchored for
the night in the haven and brings ia
to his little Bethel chapel such of the
seamen as care to participate in the
services he holds there. In calm
weather this sounds like a simple mat
ter, but when the sea is rolling in be-
fore heavy northeast gale, and the
pillows run literally mountains high. .
1t Is no simple matter to put out into
the teeth of binding, whirling snow
storm, with a little craft, and go the
rounds of all the shipping in the harbo1
and take men off to bring them to shore
When the meetings are over, the re-
turn trip is always made the same eve
ming, as it is obligatory for the men
to return to the vessel for their turn
at watch duty. In all, he makes three
trips every day as he goes once in
the afternoon to distribute good read
ing matter and to issue his Invitations
to the evening meetings The serv-
ices are always preceded by some little
social entertainment or supper for the
benefit Of the men, and they always re-
main to the meeting afterward.
While he has been engaged in this
work, Mr.. Edwards has converted over
800 seamen who are now assured Chris
tians. They an join the so-called float
ing branch of the Christian Endeayor
Society and each wears a G. 70. pin
that is presented to HIM
Last night, Mr.. Edwards attended
the G. e. meeting at Union Church and
when the young people found out who
AC was IiANy lhdtlS MIN ldlk TO them
for nearly half an hour on his work
When he concluded his remarks he was
asked what assistance could be rem
dered him, and he replied that he
would like to have a good Thanksgtv-
ing dinner put up and sent to the mis-
sion for the seamen. This was heartily
promised, and if the young people keen
their word, many toiler Of the deem
will rejoice in the good things from
Worcester's abundance on the Puritan
holiday
Capt. Howard closed the meeting
with an appeal for funds to HELM q
young man who is a msmbe~ of the
Volunteers, and who is declared to be
in every way worthy, 10 go to Lowell to
the bedside Of his dying mother. The
man is out OF work through no fault
of his own, and was intending to start
for Lowell this morning on foot with
out asking for aid had not his neal
been brought to the ears Of the caf,-
tain through friend. A collection was
taken up, but 1t lacked about half of
the necessary amount, ard unless other
help is extended, the young man viii
probably have to pursue his original
intention and walk, as he is determined
to go.