Then and there the Boston Port Society was adopted and provided for by the merchants of the city; and a committee was appointed to raise money to build a church for Rev. E. T.Taylor, to be held and used in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of the society under whose auspices he labored. This committee, at whose head we find the name of Hon. William Sturgis, at once applied themselves to the work to which they were appointed; and the following year, 1833, realized the completion, at a cost of twenty-four thousand dollars, of the world-known edifice, the Seamen's Bethel, North Square, Boston.

During the erection of the church Father Taylor was absent on a European tour, from which he returned to find it ready for his occupancy. It soon became the centre of attraction among the churches of the city, its capacity to afford even standing-room being frequently exhausted.

By this liberality and enterprise, the Boston Port Society was relieved of its embarrassment, and well furnished unto its good work. The now recognized patrons of this enterprise being largely, if not entirely, from the Unitarian denomination, the original movers in the effort saw the propriety of their being disconnected with its management. Hence the gradual withdrawal of the Methodists from the board, and the filling of their places with those who assumed its financial burdens.* The awakened interest in seamen that gave to them the Bethel, resulted about the same

* Its president, William W. Motley, Esq., who held that office for some time after this, was a Methodist.

time in the incorporation of the Suffolk Savings Bank, designed at first to be exclusively devoted to

seamen.

Thus the great apostle to seamen saw the fruit of his efforts rapidly accumulating, abundantly assuring him that his "labor" had not been "in vain in the Lord."

It was now seen, that, in the absence of their natural protectors, the wives and children of seamen must suffer great privations, and there arose in the hearts of a few ladies in the city a desire to do something for their relief.

The Bethel pastor being absent in Europe, the ladies conferred with Mrs. Taylor, and suggested a plan for action. She heartily co-operated in the movement. Steps were at once taken to form a society for the relief of seamen and their families. Many readily responded to the call, though some gave it the cold shoulder; but the rest were determined, and succeeded. The Society was organized Jan. 8, 1833, and immediately commenced work. A fair was held in a room in the Masonic Temple in February, from which the handsome sum of nine hundred and fourteen dollars was realized, which gave the Society a good start. The same month there was received from the Boston Port Society, through its president, William W. Motley, Esq., "a proposition that the Seamen's Aid Society become an auxiliary to the Boston Port Society, and act in concert with them." This proposition was adopted.

In December of this year a vote was passed appro

priating three hundred dollars toward the establish. ment of a clothing-store, from which work should be supplied to the wives, widows, and daughters of seamen, and a just price should be paid them for their labor.

In accordance with this vote, the following month a room was hired in the Bethel building to be used as a store. A seamen's widow was also hired as a supervisor, to cut and give out the work, and a committee to make the purchases. On the 28th of February the Seamen's Aid Society store was opened to the public, for the sale of such articles as are usually wanted by seamen. Difficulty in getting work done well and neatly being realized, it was thought advisable to open a sewing-school for girls, which was done in May, 1836; girls being taught therein not only to make shirts neatly, but to make and mend their own garments.

In 1837 the assistance of the ladies was desired in arranging and establishing a seamen's boardinghouse, to be conducted on strictly temperance principles. Not deeming it best to risk the funds of the Society in any new project at that time, they offered to solicit funds from their friends for this purpose. In a few weeks a thousand dollars in cash and furniture were procured, and the house was dedicated in May, by religious services, and opened for boarders under the management of a committee of gentle

men.

In January, 1839, it was found that after six years' of existence, the members of the Society had increased