Stanoiar, 29th January, 1868. 'TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SEAMANS' CHURCH, SHANOMAL.
G—On taking charge, in May last, of the amens' chaplaincy at this Port, found everything connected with the Church and ita arrangements in excellent order; which I consider a happy fact, worthy of icing distinctly recorded, not admit much diversity of description. Holling ree 'The routine occupations of a Seamens' Chaplain do
gular Service, morning and afternoon, on Sunday,.
ing Ships, supplying Seamen with Bibles, aa neod-ed; attending the Sick, in Hospital or ship board, both on Sundays and week-days; visiting the Sailors' Home from time to time; trying' experiments in to Lectures, Library, 'a Reading-room, &c.; burying the dead and communicating with their friends at hom—these are the duties of the position, and in the discharge of thei the timejof the Chaplain la largely occupied Tire want of an office, conveniently situated, has been much felt hitherto; but this difficulty has ly overcome by an arrangement which gives the n accomodation both for Office and Bible Depository at the Rooms of the Shanghai Temperance Society, on the Hong Que Bund (No. 20 Wang-poo Road).
In the absence of any Institution, accessible to Seamen, for instruction and entertainment, 1 would suggest the building of a Room, near to the Church, and suitable to be used as$a Library, Museum an ture Room. The architecture should be in keeping with the simple and admirable style of the Church; and the building itself might connect with the future Parsonage which, it is to be hoped, will—not very long henco—be provided; to the great diminution of current oxpenses, and to the satisfactory settlement of all future chaplains, The Christian duty of exercising a hearty hospitality cannot be well discharged unless the Minister of a congregation has 'a local habitation" as well as 'a name."
This matter is of increasing importance in view of the fact that seafaring men are ceasing to be so distinctly sct off, as a class by themselves, as was formorly the case, Every year finds the seaman more and more assimilated to other mon, and more accessible to common forms of influence. Hence the desirableness of being able to entertain, as we would at home, those who have been spending weary months in the monotony of a long voyage, By means of contribu ions, voluntarily made after each occasion of worship, a communion Service haa been procured; also a Baptismal Font and Alms-bason; $30 have been subscribed fur hanging the chino of Bells presented to the Church;.and remittances have been sent to the Asylum for Widows and Orphans of Scamen, to the Shipwrecked Marine Society, and to the British and Foreign Bible Society.
Inconelusionallow te to give expression to my thanks for your kind attention to my personal wants since my arrival, and for your cordial ce-operation in the good work in which we all have a common interest.
Thave the honor to be, Gentlemen, Your very sincerely, EDWARD W. S¥LE, Chaplain.
Seanes's Carri Buupixa Fusp 1s account Nov. 20.
Yo paid Henry Lester as por his account for construction.
Various other expousos
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.