Daily Northern Tribune

Bath Seamen's Friend Society.

This Society held its annual meeting on Wednesday the 5th inst. The meeting was not so fully attended as could be wished, considering the importance of the object of the Society; but those who were present manifested an unflagging interest, and a determination still to persevere in the accomplishment of its designs. A committee of ladies was chosen to call on the Ship owners and other gentlemen interested in the welfare of the sailors, to solicit their aid in procuring the means for establishing a Sailor's Home. The Secretary of the society presented the following report, which was cordially received, and it was voted to request its publication in the papers of this city.

Agreeably to the wishes of the society, a special invitation is extended to the young ladies of Bath to attend its meetings, and interest themselves in its objects.

A MEMBER.

Report of the "Bath Ladies' Seamen's Friend Society."

It seems suitable, on this our first anniversary, that we should look back and ask ourselves, as members of so important a society, what we have done towards the accomplishment of the object that a year since called us together; whether we have come now with resolutions as high, and hearts as warm as when we last met, or whether we are faint-hearted and discouraged, and have allowed our interest to flag, because the signs of promise, in some respects, seemed to fail, and some about us have looked coldly and contemptuously on our efforts. We have indeed seen clouds hanging above us, and felt the thorns beneath our feet; and yet these things ought not to discourage us, since we are satisfied, by a careful examination of the matter, that we are doing what we are bound to do, come what will. And the fact that many members of this society have had an increasing conviction of the importance of contributing to the temporal and spiritual advancement of those who come to us from the fearful perils of the sea, as they have thought more deeply on the subject, ought to keep our hearts from fainting, and our interest from dying. Let us not stand and look on with folded hands, but bear in mind that while we are inactive, thousands and thousands of seamen are swept along by that mighty tide that will bear them to the sea of Death.

The ladies of other towns have spoken to us many words of kindness and encouragement. At the last meeting of the society, it will be remembered that the Secretary was directed to write to ladies in neighboring towns, and request them to aid us in establishing a Sailor's Home. She accordingly addressed letters to ladies in the following places:--Augusta, Hallowell, Gardiner, Richmond, Bowdoinham, Topsham, Brunswick, Phipsburg, Woolwich, Wiscasset, Newcastle and Nobleboro'.

From some of these places we have never yet heard, but those who have noticed this appeal, manifest much interest, and a willingness to aid us if we determine to establish such a house. The Brunswick and Topsham ladies have a sum of money which they collected last winter, and have recently informed us that if we do not soon do something, they shall send the money--which they intended to give us--to some other place. Some of the Topsham ladies have expressed a willingness to assist in furnishing rooms, if we establish a Home, and those of Augusta and Newcastle have promised their aid. The ladies of Hallowell have not even waited for us to make a beginning, but seeing the great importance of such an establishment here, have very kindly forwarded us a box, containing articles of bedding, and a promise to do more for us this spring. In view of these prospects, what shall we do? Shall we return their gifts, telling them our courage has failed? Can we give up the hope of accomplishing our object, when so many in other places stand ready to help us as soon as they shall see that we are in earnest?

Knowing so well as we do the importance of a Home, where the sailor may not only be preserved from temptation, but receive positive good, will God excuse us if we neglect to provide for those who have such strong claims upon our sympathies? Will any mother present, who has a beloved son exposed to "the pestilence that walketh in darkness, or the destruction that wasteth at noonday," say that it is vain to try to improve the circumstances of the sailors who are waiting at our very doors? She has oftentimes wept through long nights of darkness--each angry blast of wind sending a thrill through her frame like a death-knell--yet if she be a christian mother, with a more intense agony has she thought of the probability of his being ensnared by the temptations that surround him in the miserable boarding house which he makes his home when on shore. Under the influence of feelings such as these, she surely cannot be so selfish as to forget that this day, in these very streets, are wandering, sailors, who have mothers with hearts as full of tenderness as her own, and who are as anxious as she that they should be placed, when on land, in a house where they shall be restrained from evil by the healthful moral influence about them, and be cheered by the comforts of home. Oh how would these sisters feel to know that those who grew up with them side by side--knelt with them in childhood at the same altar--were reared as tenderly as they--are now revelling in crime, drinking the cup of death, living where they are beset by temptations in every form, becoming so familiarized with profanity, drunkenness and fearful crimes, that their moral sense is blunted, and they say in their hearts--"Henceforth let evil be my good!" And as there are few here that have not been mother, wife, daughter or sister to the sailor, we know that it is impossible for any one to refuse her influence and aid for the purpose of promoting his good.

In view of these things, will we not this day pledge ourselves individually to strive more earnestly the coming year to do much for the good of the sailor--temporally, morally and religiously--though indifference and coldness meet us at every step, and a tide of opposition should threaten to overthrow all our efforts. When sitting by our own pleasant hearth-stones, let us not be narrow minded, thinking of, and caring for those only who move in our own limited circle, but remember the many, many wandering ones who find their homes and their graves 'midst the storm and the tempest, forgetting that far beyond the troubled sea of life lies the great ocean of Eternity, and that they must trim their sails aright if they would move calmly on its bosom.

Bath, April 5, 1848.