The morning news., 1899-03-13
HELD ITS ANNUAL MEETING.
PORT sOCIETY's FIFTY-sIxTH AN
NIVERSARY CELEBRATED.


mental Church-Large Attendance
of Friends of the Insti-
futiOn-Services at Several of the
Churches Were Dispensed With to
Admit of Their Congregations At
tending-Music of the Service Was
a Fcnturc-StrOng Sermon Preach
ed by Rev. BascOm Anthony, Pas
tor of Trinity-RepOrts of the OFF,
GERS Were Very Gratffying-EIec-
tion Resulted in the Choice of the
Old Board.
The annual meeting of the Savannah
Port Society was held last night at Wes-
Fey Monumental Church, There was
large attendance, showing that there is
much interest among the people of the
city in the society. Services at the Inde-'
pendent Presbyterian, St. Johns Episcopal,
st. Pauls Lutheran, Trinity, the First
Baptist and Grace churches for the even
ing were dispensed with, in order to admit
of their congregations attending the ami
Versary exercises at Wesley.
The programme that had been arranged
for the occasion was of such a nature as
to please all. Special attention had been
paid the music, and the renditions by the
choir were exceptionally fine. A duet by
by the lady members and the offertory by
Mrs. Wickenburg were given with a charm
that was fully appreciated. and the ability
of the choir that has been gathered to-
gether by the officers of the church was
upon every lip after the service. Miss
her accustomed success.
Several ministers were in attendance up
on the services. In the pulpit were Rev. DR..
James Y. Fair, Rev. Bascom Anthony and
Rev NJ. ]. Epting. Rev. Ed. F. Cook, pas
tor of Wesley, and Rev Osgood F. Cook,
pastor of Grace Church. sat within the
chancel rail, and each took part in the con-
duct of the services. An eloquent prayer
was offered by DR.. Fair, and Mr. Epting
read from the Scriptures. The
sermon, which was eloquent in its
delivery, interesting and instructive in its
temporal phases and convincing in its the
ology, was delivered by the pastor of
Trinity Church, Rev. Bascom Anthony
Last year was the first the society has
spent in its new building. For this reason
there was more of interest in the meet
ing than there has been in those previous
ly held, and the reports of the officers
Were of progress that was peculiarly
gratifying to the members and friends of
the organization.
The report of the superintendent and
chaplain, who was Introduced by the pres
ident, Mr.. Samuel B. Adams, was the first
rendered. This was as follows:
THE fifty-sixth anniversary of the Sa-
vannah Port Society has brought us here
tonight that we may review the work of
the past year. We as a society have
much to be thankful to God for, because
he has bestowed great blessings upon US
and has permitted us to be the means in
his hand to do much good for the many
seamen that have visited this our great
seaport We have had 1853 vessels in port
during the year; this includes coasting
steamers and schooners, but not river
boats.
In the chapel have been held 1856 meet
ings, with an average attendance includ-
ing the weekly prayer. meetings, of 43.
have also visited Sapelo and Brunswick
several times and held meetings for sail
ors. 1 have made 579 visits to vessels for
religious purposes, and Ga to the hosp-
tails, distributing Testaments, tracts and
other good reading matter
Il have also made an effort to make
sailors stop drinking, and have held SS
temperance meetings, and 81 have signed
the pledge for life
Il have also received money from them
and sent to their homes in different coun-
tries to the amount of $1,517 Our three
reading rooms have been kept open all
the year, and have been well supplied with
reading matter, and also the correspond
ing room has been supplied with writing
material. The attendance has been very
good. In the summer time the number of
men visiting the reading rooms goes up
to several hundred day.
1--WE had very good season. The new
building has proved itself to answer the
purpose for which it was built we gave
accommodation to the men of the Ocean
Steamship Company, and besides that. we
had 81 other crews, among them were 4S
Scandinavian British, 2 German and
American.
During the year we have given out 9s6
free beds, and have also otherwise as
sisted seamen in distress with food and
clothing and transportation.
The Ladies' Auxiliary of the Savannah
Port Society did more work last year than
ever before in its history. 1t has in the
first place done much In furnishing the
dormitory with beds and linen. 1t also,
for the first time in its history. gave
Christmas presents to all sailors. about
300 of them. The Christmas feast given
was also grand affair and greatly en-
joyed by all present. DR.. Fair had charge
of the religious exercises, and gave a very
impressive and helpful address. The la
dies have also kept up the Saturday night
meetings all the year, which have been
well attended and much enjoyed by the
sailors, and / hope that they will continue
in their good work, remembering that
their labor in the Lord has not been in
Vain.''
The report of the secretary and treas
urer, Mr.. Julian Schley, was as follows:
Cash on hand at last meeting ....$ 4O, AZ
Gross proceeds from dormitory. g, ,s69. 81
Annual dues from members NM. 410. 90
Donation from American Seamen's
Friendly Society ........a....... 400 90
Donation from Norwegian Mission
airy Society .........,..............,. 300 90
Voluntary donations from ships 2O7 IA
Church collections at last annual
meeting .....................a. 129. Al