New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-22
BENEFITING THE SAILORS.
FLOWER AND FRUIT DISTRIBUTIONS AT
THE SEAMENS MISSION ON
THE WEST SIDE.

One OF the many quiet and unobtrusive charities
in this city owing much to woman's devotion is
the fruit and flower bureau Of the Seaunens Mis-
sion. West and West Houston SITS There since May
l. all through the exceptionally oppressive heat of
last summer. little woman has spent two en-
tire days every week distributing and directing the
oisu1oution OF flowers and fruit contributed largely
through her personal influence In that time more
than two thousand bouquets have been sent to the
seamen, sailors and boatmen' in the harbor
The Seamen's Mission has been in existence eight
years OF more. under the care Of the Rev. Walter
A A. Gardner whose work as chaplain was eff
GENTLY supplemented by that Of his mother who
lived with him IN the little rectory connected with
the church until her death last March. Although
an invalid, unable to leave her room, that room
was the centre from witch many helpful sug-
Eesuons and directions went out that at her Death
the wardens Of the church placed a tablet to her
memory IN the pretty chapel near those of Cor
nelius Vanderbilt and ". Il. Vanderbilt II was
AIRS. Eliza Anne Gardner who fitted out the war
ships with comfort bags" and she did much tow
ard establishing the floating hospital and the fee
Iono; MnlIe she lived she kept the reading desk
lain asked for contributions for hat nro ee fRP
that request spTang the seamen'g FoweT Ir,FsI0n
The little woman" Cwho begs to be nameless) re-
the sailors that she volunteered to provide and dis
tribute as many flowers as possible through the
You have no idea how the sailors love flowers"
cares for them they do They viii keep a flower
IN the buttonhole until nothing is left but the
Every Tuesday and Friday at 9 O'Clock she ap-
pears az the mission and opens the boxes and
baskets OF fruit and flowers and prepares the lat
Ter 5s Io P me eop2F'enrs who take them to the
al the mission and given night to the men who
are there. Flowers decorate the long table, and
Gneyl too, are given away at night
We md that this simple distribution has in
creased the attendance largely" said Mr.. Gardner.
Il his Is the only church the North River from
the Battery Harlem and there are eighty saloons
10 battle against. We have learned that an annie
q flower and a cup Of coffee will often keep q man
mere all the evening and send him back TO his ship
sober. 1t is singular how susceptible these men
done wonders IN Frightening life below decks and
above
The reading room is open every day from o'clock
until 10 M, and services are held in the church
on Sunday, music being furnished by a good double
quartet, these ordinary expenses being paid by the
Episcopal Church.
Among the constant contributors to the fruit and
hover mission last summer were Mrs. F. r.
Pearson, OF Tarrytown; Mrs J. w. Rogers, Of
scarborough, who has sent two boxes every week.
ton, Conn; Mrs. II. a. Barlow, Of New-Canaan,
Conn.,, who also sent q number Of cushions for the
Of sick sailors; Mrs. Charles Z. Shepard of
Huntington, Long Island; Miss Sears of Gardiner
n: Y and Miss Anna 3 haWgensen-
The Flower and Fruit Mission hopes TO continue
Its work ell winter, and viii endeavor TO provide
& generous Thanksgiving dinner for the sailors in
port,
The entire neighborhood calls upon the little
church, with its sympathetic chaplain, for every
overcoats and childrens clothing, for protection
from brutality at home. for medical aid when III
and food when hungry. To the limited degree
within the chaplain's power these calls Needed
but few contributions received in those lines
and little be done compared with what is