THE SAILORS' HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 172, 24 July 1890, Page 5

THE SAILORS' HOME.

NEW MISSION HALL OPENED.

MEETING LAST EVENING.

The completion of a fine new mission hall in connection with the Auckland Sailors' Home, one of the mosb beneficentof our local public institutions, is a matter for congratulation to all who are at all interested in the work amongst the sailors of this port, and the largely-attended meetings yesterday afternoon and evening at the formal opening of the buiiding bore witness to the interest taken in Auckland in the welfare of seafaring men. The new hall is a finelooking, substantial structure, and_ the Council of the Home have an additional ground for satisfaction in that they have opened the place entirely free of debt, which is much more than can be said of mosb places of public worship in Auckland.

THE BUILDING.

Mr Bartley was architect and Mr James Heron contractor for the hall, and they have performed their duties thoroughly well. The edifice, which stands close to the Sailors' Home main building, otf Quaystreet West, is built in the Italian style, and measures 48ft in length by 30fb broad inside. Tho heighb from floor to ceiling is 21ft. The interior of the hall has a most attractive and pleasing aspect. Ib is lined all inside with narrow upright boards, varnished. The roof is semi-open, filled in in diagonal panelled work. The placo is lighted wibh albo-carbon gas lamps, by which method ib is expected to effect a considerable saving in the cost of light. Ab bhe back of bhe hall there is a missioners' sitting-room and a room for ladies, besides a small kitchen. A number of appropriate Scripture texts painted on a blue ground run round the side of the walls. The hall possesses splendid acoustic properties, and should prove very useful.

AFTERNOON MEETING.

At 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon, there was a fairly large attendance at the opening of the hall. His Lordship the Righb Rev. Dr. Cowio (president of the Home) presided. Amongst those who occupied seats on the platform or in the body of the hall were : Hon. Col. T. M. Haultain (member of Council Sailors' Home), Messrs J. H. Upton (Mayor), M. Niccol (Chairman of Harbour Board), Archdeacons Dudley and Maunsell, Revs. Monro, Best, Macnicol, Salter, Gittoe, Scott Wesb, Hazeldean, Bates, Burrows, Larkins, Sommerville, A.J.Smith, Pastor W. Birch, Messrs J. T. Arundel, C. B. Stone, C. C. McMillan, W. Brakenrig, Captains Burgess, Daldy, M. T. Clayton and Logan. The meeting was a thoroughly representative one, and a large number of ladies were

present. The proceedings opened with the singing of a hymn, " Jesu, Lover of My Soul," by the meebing, after which the Rev. Mr Macnicol engaged in prayer. The Rev. Mr Lee read Psalm cvii., v. 23-32, and another hymn was sung, after which the Rev. W. Birch read St. Matthew c. 14.

His Lordship Bishop Cowie then called on Mr J. T. Arundel to say a few words on the occasion of the opening of the new hall.

Mr Arundel, who is well known here in connection with Island shipping matters, expressed his pleasure in meeting that evening with so many well-wishers of bhe sailors in such a fine building. He had, he said, been accustomed for some time past to take parb in the religious services held in the adjoining Home building, and tho erection of this hall was bub the completion of the good work commenced in connection with the Home. The Home was in a greab measure established bo care for the sailor's body, bub ib waa of greater importance thab his soul should be cared for. For bhe pasb five-and-bwenby years ho had had the honour to be a member of the British and Foreign Mission to Sailors, and he was very glad to find that Bishop Cowie took as great an inberest in bhe work amongsb sailors as did the philanthropic Bishop Temple, Bishop of London. (Applause. ) Everyone should take more than a passing interest in seamen and seafaring matters, and in caring for her sailors as well a3 in everything else. The old Maltese saying thab " the ocean speaks the English language," was an epigrammatic summing up of the facb bhab bhe English were coming to dominate the seas in peaceful enterprise. There were no doubt, he said, a large number of Christian, Godfearing sailors amongst the ranks of seamen, but the number was very small in proportion to the careless and godless ones. He had, in the course of his business transactions in the South Seas for many years past, seen a great deal of sailors and their life, and he felt quite right In saying that in the matter of godliness and religion many of the South Sea Island natives, or Kanakas, shipped as seamen, pnt white captains' mates and sailors to shame by reason of the very contrast of their behaviour. Christianity should help to make a man better. The Christian sailor should be the best and mosb capable sailor, and in every profession this would equally apply. He was very glad to ccc quite a number of business men and merchants ab the meeting. He was sure they would agree with' him when he said thab ib was bo the interests of owners and evsryone to have our ships manned by steady, Christian seamen, and all should aid in this good work. They should all be pleased to find Christian sailors such as his dear old friend Captain Logan here. (Applause.) Mr Arundel concluded with a fervent wish that the Home and tho mission would ever prosper and be productive of great and good results.

The President then 'called on Captain Logan (of the s.s. Manapouri) to address | the meeting. ! Captain Logan was received with loud applause. He said he considered it an exceedingly great honour and privilege to be able to speak on such an occasion as the present, and the pleasure he felt was intensified by the knowledge that he spoke to them in a free hall, entirely free from debt, unencumbered to the service of the Almighty. He trusted and prayed thab their efforts to reclaim and interest Bailors {v good bhings would be very successful. S-Uors were in some things very - like children ; they were easily led, and rushed car-iessly into all sorts of temptation. They might just as easily, with care, be led into the paths of good. He hoped they would go on in their noble work, and he thanked the Council and workers on behalf of his cloth for their efforts in the direction of bringing the sailors under the great and potent influence for good. Prayer was said by the Bishop, and after bhe singing of the "Old Hundredth," the meeting closed.