The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-11-02

Il
1t has been my privilege to attend the
| conference Of Workers Among Sea-
| men, held the past week in the city
OF Boston, and continuing for three
| days; and l have wished many times
during it's progress that the entire body
\ Of adult Christians in New Haven
| might be dropped down right into the
heart OF this conference, and catch a
| little of the glow of inspiration which
pervades this body of Christian work.
| ers They are here from Montreal New
| Orleans, Boston, Philadelphia, New
| York, ST. Johns, Ohio, and many other
| parts of the country.
There are places where it is consid-
cred quite sufficient to allow a little
band of tired sometimes discouraged
Mary and Marthas to struggle with
this great cause alone, against the tide
of popular favor and the four winds of
adverse conditions. But in most of the
cities represented, it is to be observed
that this work engages some of their
foremost citizens-prominent men, in
fluential and wealthy men. There are
! IN this conference a number of eminent
and brilliant men both from the profu-
sions and business callings, who are,
through the year, giving study, time
and money to this cause. 1t is a joy
to learn through the work of this con-
ference that there are so many people
who take the cause of eeamen right to
their heart. They do not stand off,
wrapped in robes of impenetrable frig
1dlty and raise the questions which
have made my ears ache and my heart
ache score of times-"Don't you think
the sailors are too bad lot to be ele-
waited? Don't you think it is wiser to
devote our efforts to work that yields
better and more apparent results?
Don't you think the sailor could better
his own condition fast enough, if he
would let drink and vice alone?" etc.
These workers believe that the sailor
is a man and a brother; no better, no
worse than other men. That in the
twelve months Of each year he drinks
far less than multitudes of men who
pass without reproach. They drink
some liquor every day, and go unre-
proved. He being obliged to abstain
many days drinks too much in the few
days on which he can get It, and is
condemned by public sentiment, and
deprived of public sympathy. They
believe the sailor is unique in his en-
vironment, and in the characteristics
that grow out of it and is a prey to
robbery and inhumanity, more than
any other class of men-that his wrongs
should be righted. and that he should
receive the justice and protection which
is accorded to all other workmen in this
free land. And they believe this is not
easy. That 1--WE are not fighting against
flesh and blood, but against principal-
ties and powers" and that our warfare |
demands some of the best brain and |
talent, if we succeed. They believe he |
has soul to save, and that it is as |
dear to the Redeemer as the soul of |
any Pagan, or of any church officer |
who has amassed his wealth at the |
hands of the sailor. They believe he
is to be most important factor in the |
evangelization Of the world.
Some of these men are working to |
give seamen the gospel-some to pro-
vide free legal aid for them in the large
ports some to provide them homes
See what they do for him right here
in Boston They do not look down up
on him from high railing of apathy
and Indifference, and touch him at far
|
but they put their arms around him
and love him to better things. What
would those cautious people who be-
lieve that even a Christmas dinner is
too much coddling for lazy sea dogs"
say to the treatment of them by Bos-
ton and Montreal? They give them
suppers every week, concerts and lee
lures every week, thousands Of COM
fort bags, nursing in sickness, and
homes as good as many of their man
ayers live in. And more than all, they
don't do this at arms length. They
mingle with these men, sit with them,
chat with them, invite them to their
best churches, get their best musicians
and orators to sing to them and speak
to them, and so keep them from the sa-
oons. Their wives and daughters min
ster to them, and give them a chance
% see what gracious Christian woman
hood is like. AT the supper given the
delegates at Mariners Haven"
about fifty seamen sat down with us
We sang together prayed together,
'hatted together, ate together and had
good time.
Boston has entertained the delegates
o this conference right royalty. The
conference opened on Tuesday evening,
october "a, with a banquet at the
american house. The day sessions
we're held at the Sailors chapel on
Hanover street, and each evening in
ne of the finest churches, aided by
uch speakers as President Eliot, DR..
iordon, navy officers, etc. 1t is conf
emily anticipated that the reports of
Iork among seamen from so many
arts of the country-cOmpariso and
lethods discussion of plans encollr-
cement from work accomplished, the
Ioquence of gifted men, and the mag
etism of successful workers, will re-
alt not only in new inspiration to
nose engaged in this cause, but will
Emulate the general public to more =
terest in the needs and possibilities OF
ar three millions of seamen, and so
lcrease the efficiency of our local =
oards,
/ should be glad to report the details
each session the various subjects
ecussed, the report of work achieved
the past, and planned for the future
1T I could not absorb so much of your
lluable space, moreover, it might at | Ii