SAILORS' HOME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9188, 18 October 1888, Page 6

SAILORS' HOME.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Though J do not often visit the Sailors' Home, 1 yet take a great interest in it. I observe that for some time back attacks have been made upon the religious services conducted in the mission hall, as if they were t.he cause of the falling off in the number of lodgers and visitors. These services are : Morning and evening on Sunday, and one on Wednesday evening, with a class on Sunday afternoon. Who has been the inspirer of these attacks we need not go far to seek. Let him answer this question, When the Home was in Queen-street the services and religious conversations were more frequent than they are now ; why was the attendance then of the sailors so large in comparison of what it is now? The answer is near. The sailor does not like a cold, surly reception, but will go far for sympathy. I have known instances myself where he has gone a distance inland to seek for counsel or help, or to bring bananas or pineapples to one of those ladies who are represented as frightening him away from the Home. Let the saddle be put upon the right horse, and not upon those self-denying labourers whose gentle words attract rather than repel, and who seem best suited for dealing with the tough, manly sailor. Miss Marsh, Miss Robinson, and a multitude of lady workers in England and Italy have proved themselves among excited navvies and soldiers to be more effectual than large bodies of the police.—l am, &c., An Outsider.