The morning journal-courier., 1908-01-07
HELPED THESEAMEN
Reports of Bethel Society Show That Much Aid Was
 Given.
PUBLIC APATHY NOTED
Superintendent Deplores Separation from the General Chris
 tian Body.

The Women'S SeamenS Friend Soci- ety held it's annual meeting at the Seamen's Bethel on Water street yes terday. Miss Mary E. Law, the presi- dent, was detained at home by illness and Mrs Henry Champion presided. The principal business was the thor. ough report of the years work pre- sented by Superintendent J. 0. Bergh.
 In substance it was as follows: We are confronted with many discourage ments. general lack of interest and apathy on the part of the general pub lic,. and seem to stand to a great ex- tent alone, apart from active sympathy and cooperation of the general Chris tian body. The indifference of the men, the difficulty of awaking any response and enthusiasm make tremendous courage and hopefulness necessary.
 Our aims and methods are the same as last year and conditions pre- vailing in port being the same. The change of the bulk of transportation from sailing vessls to barges seems of a fixed character, and there will probably be no revision back to the old ] way
 This change has brought men with different characteristics and habits more difficult to overcome than of the old time sailor. But underneath is the same human soul responsive to human ! kindness"
 MT. Bergh went on to tell of the work of the various departments be- ginning with the home.
 Incalculable good has been done here. Physical benefits and moral in ! fluence have been delightful The re- l spectability and good comradeship of the boys are the greatest restrainers to wayward boys. General good con- duct becomes a formulative force into moral stability of the great number ,l who have been helped. only two were l not turned into better homes. \ The average number Of men daily al the home was from ten to twelve. T. | serves as an asylum for men temper arily in need. Meals and lodging of which no account is taken are fur nished, clothing and transportation tickets and care given the SICK.
 Reading room-Here the best maga, zines. three daily papers, Harper Weekly, Leslie's, Judge, Golfers Youths Companion, Home Herald and several Swedish and Norwegian week. lies are to be found, and are greatly appreciated The library with its books of travel. fiction, history, biography science and reference is eagerly sought. Accommodations for letter writing are also provided and in tht past year 94S letters were written here
 Reading matter has also been dis trihuted to the men on the boats. Tn, best current literature, l6o0o papers 3,6OO magazines, 3So books and IA Bi bles have been given out During the year, fifty-one religioul services have been held, with an at tendance of 2,250 In this connection Mir. Bergh thanked MT. s. S Sands fo work during his vacation. also thanke, Rev. MT Lamb and Dr. Munro and tn Rescue Band of the City Mission. Nil Bergh has paid 1850 visits to boats.
 Easter, Thanksgiving and Christina were specially remembered and the us ual number of charities were dis pensed.
 Two sailors were helped to a hom at Sailors Snug Harbor, among then John Brown, the blind sailor. To summarize: Number of religion : services, 51 attendance at services, l, 225; visits, S,690 letters received, ZOOS letters written, 943: loose papers give away, 16,00o: magazines, 3,635; books SS0; Bibles, IA; visits to barges, 1856 money received, $1,73S.
 Mrs. Charles F. McNeil read her re port as secretary, also reviewing th
 years work
 Mrs.l Luman Cowles, the treasurer
 gave a report which showed a substan
 tial balance.
 Mrs Henry Champion reported tn condition of the library.