The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-01-17
.SEAMEN'S FRIEND SOCIETY
REFLECTS oLD OFFICERS FOR
 NEXT YEAR.

Street -R eport of Superintendent
 Bergh-More Inmates Than Ever
 Before--PopuIarity of the Library
 Housing of Penniless Sailors.
 The annual meeting of the Women's Seamen's Friend association was held in the lecture room of the Church of the Redeemer at 3 o'clock yesterday after noon, Previous to the busienss session | Rev. Frederick Lent of the First Bap- tist church conducted devotional exer- cises. Miss Walker of the Calvary Bap- tist church and Miss Richards rendered solos.
 The officers Of last year were re- elected for the ensuring year as follows: President--Mrs. Avert g. Winchell, vice presidents, Mrs. Henry Champion, Mrs. Joseph Porter. Mrs. Simeon J.. Fox, Mrs. Frank A, Monson: Mrs. A. B. Fuller: recording secretary. Miss Mary E Law: treasurer, Mrs. Luman Cowles; auditor, Albert s. Holt; advis- ory committee, Mrs. George O. Crut- tenden. General E. s. Greeley, Frank ". Pardee: Joseph Porter, Joel A. sperry, Herbert c. Warren. John T. Manson.
 Rev. John Q. Bergh continues as mis- sionary and superintendent by previous appointment.
 At this meeting the reports of the secretary and treasurer and the super infnndant ba Gao afe, Home is situated on Water street in the very heart of the shipping district of the city and it serves as safe har- Dor from temptations of the saloons and dives along the water front. The home is light and pleasant, and home like. The rooms are large and airy, birds sing i'll the sunny corners and the place is one of great cheer and com, fort.
 Superintendent ]. o. Bergh. who is in charge of the home and actively en- gagged in the work among the sailors, rendered his report to the society, and in brief this is what it contained:
 It has proven in a number of ways that we do not exist in vain. This is shown by increased attendance at our services, a greater demand and appre- citation of our reading mater, the grow, ing liking and confidence toward our institution as whole, and also the isolated cases of personal improvement. During the year we have had fifty two regular services in our chapel, one each week. It was not advisable to hold more under the present circuim- stances, but when our new chapel is ready for use we will be able to hold services more frequently. As it is seven persons have publicly expressed desire for better lives.
 The number of inmates at the home has been greater than at any previous time, We average from twelve to four- teen men every day of the year, and at times we are filled to utmost capac, ity. Our institution. takes the place of home for these men, and we have ship ped whole shiDs crews from the office Of the home. s.
 The reading room has been very pop ular during the year, and 5000 men have enjoyed it's privileges. We have re- ceived letters to sailors to the number of 2,266, and sailors have themselves written S32 letters to their families and friends. The barge men have learned to come to our home instead of going to the companies offices. They have learned to enjoy our reading rooms.
 We have sent out during the past year 120 shop libraries and at the pres ent time all but ten are afoat. Each month we hold a so-called mothers meeting for the women and children of the barges and these meet ings have proved helpful and profitable.
 One of the good indications of the effect of the home is the desires evinc- ed by the sailors to save their money. During the past year we had deposited with us $2,S76 for safe Keeping Part of this money has been placed in the bank and part is still in our hands.
 Every day of the year penniless sail ors are fed and housed and kept until they can find berth. If they are un- successful in finding ship in New Ha- ven we give them a ticket to New York where they will have a better chance of shipping on some vessel.
 We have given out eighty-eight articles of clothing to needy sailors during the year. One poor Italian sail- or was sick with nervous prostration for three years. He had a family, but was unable to care for them, during the three years the home cared for him, and at last when the doctor decided that the only cure for the man was sea voyage, the home furnished $50 for @ ticket and sent him on voyage that benefited him greatly. One barge woman was drowned, and the home voted money to help pay the funeral expenses Many sick sailors have been helped to the hospital and many others who did not wish to go to the hospital were taken to the home a cared for by a competent physician. We have also helped many aged sailors to gain admit tance to the Sailors Snug Harbor. And during the year I have made 1885 visits to vessels anchored in the har- bor. .a~ M
 This in substance is the report made by Superintendent Bergh, on the noble work carried on by this institution which does so much to keep the sailors straight during their leave and which helps so many needy men.
 At the conclusion of the meeting the volunteer committee served light re- treatments in the parlors of the church.
 
 THOSE WORRYING PILEs!-one i A