Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-10-25
CHARLES /. BOURQUlN
On Sailors Missions

MISSIONS of Philadelphia are doing
1Vl great work to further the cause OF
citizenship among the sailors who visit this
port. in the opinion of Charles l.. BouraMin'
for almost thirty years IN charge OF Inc
Sailors Mission" Mr.. Bo%rquin also says
that the standard of the American sailor OF
today is much higher than some years ago.
"Thcre is no class of men who are cX-
posed to greater temptations than the
sailor" said MIR. Bourquin. There IS an
old tradition to the effect that sailor ana
his money are easily parted, and from what
we know Of the liberal, open hearted char
acter Of the men, this has undoubtedly
good bit of foundation in truth. The moment
that n big vessel makes port there are IN.
Vulnerable sharpers who lie in wait lot the
getting hold of the sailors money IN the
olden days than now, for not only are many
snfepuards thrown around the senmen, but
the sailors themselves are OF far hlgher
typp than formerly, and they are not so
easily taken in by the sharpers as tney
once were. .
Nevertheless. there must be constant
yipilnnce on our part az well as on the
mart of the sailors themselves. They know
TINT both they and their money are per
fcctly safe at the mission, and this tact,
doubtless, accounts for the very large sums
OF money in the aggregate which Is In
trusted to us.
Some BALLOTS OOOu ShNotS
II have handled between 5000, 600 and
| sent $500 home for one OF the sailor DoSs,
a sum which in this time of depression In the
sailing trade represents great deal OF sei-
denial and careful saving,
while we look after the spiritual vel
fare ~ the sailors, we first look after their
material comfort. Not much can be done IN
a spiritual way with a man who is hungry
or Who needs a new pair Of shoes or q new
suit Of clothing. Coffee and refreshments arc
served and any other material hsslstahGe
that is needed and can be given oy US Is
supplied. -,,os, thu American
soiIor todny rcprcscntS fine class or man.
hood. Many q boy is in strange port when
his vessel makes this city, ana u IL tnls class
Of sailor to which the mission most especially
appeals. 5o T.. now a. 1ov
noirt of depression, like many other huSi-
nesscs. and the demand Of the snilors for help
is consequently greater thah II usuhHy Is
Where it is possible we give them clothing
shoes and other articles when ,heE hccH.
OnIv a few DAYS ago we were able to equip
almost entirely a man with new outht and
I shall never forget his gratitude
Mission Seventy Eve Years Old
"Tbis mission" said Mr.. Bourquin: is
now almost seventy Ave years old and has
be.n in active operation every moment OF
tbot time. 1t IS primarily a place whore
ali eeafarina men can come whenever they
40 desire and be sure or welcome ana OF
rnateriol assistance when that Is required.
'"The work of the mission was begun in
1s47 and the place of meeting at that time
was a floating church, known as the Churcn
~ +hs Redeemer. The building was erected
on an Immense fntbont. and when not IN
active service was moored at the Dock street
wharf. The edifce itself held about 700 per-
"ons and whenever ship made this port 1t
u,an towed by tugboats alongside of the ship
81 services were held there for the sailors,
a. being probably harder at that time to get
tbe sailors of the old time sailing ships to
come to n church when they once got shore
isaHe than It Is at the present time.
"The old floating church was built and
rut into commission In the opening year OF
tha mission-1S47-and remained actively in
ths service until 1850, when from some un-
eYnlained cause it sank at the wharf. 1t
yynS raised, the necessary repairs made and
osain entered the service 1t was used until
i6Ss when II was sold to st. Johns Episco..
nj Church Of Camden, the cornerstone OF
our present building at Front and Queen
streets having been laid In 1857 and the
building being ready for occupancy when
the floating church was disposed Of to the
Camden church. We expect to remain here
until the new building for which the plans
have been made is erected on the block be-
tween Second, Walnut, Dock and Moravian
streets.
Seamen More Sedato
"When the mission was first opened there
were large number Of sailors boarding