The annual meeting of the Seamen's Christian Friend Society was held, on Tuesday week, at the Seamen's Chapel, London Docks. The chair was taken by one of the vice-presidents, Colonel H. J. Brockman. The society's operations are in a most satisfactory condition. The income is larger than it has ever been, and the work in some departments greater. The society supports an institution for seamen in St. George-street, comprising a seamen's chapel, sailors' free reading-room and library, and a conversational-room; also free schools for sailors' children. Besides this, the society has missionaries stationed at London, Liverpool, and the south coast. Nine hundred and seventy-five religious services, attended by 22,000 seamen, had been held on board ships afloat and Bethels on shore; 5404 visits had been paid to sailors' homes, lodging-houses, &c.; 228,170 Bibles, gospel-periodicals, bound books, and tracts had been sold and distributed in English and many foreign languages. The income for the year amounted to £1017, and the expenditure to £999. Several earnest addresses were delivered on the society's behalf.
The annual meeting of the Missions to Seamen [renamed Mission to Seafarers in 2001] was held, on Thursday week, at Willis's Rooms—Admiral Gambier in the chair. The report states that the missions are progressing steadily and satisfactorily. The receipts for the past year amount to £8942, while the expenditure has been £7798. The chairman, the Rev. Mr. Rowsell, and other gentlemen addressed the meeting; and several formal resolutions were passed.
Source: The Illustrated London News, Vol. LIV, May 22, 1869, p.527