A Mission Boat by E. R. BUTTON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 10, 1915

A Mission Boat

By E. R. BUTTON

It is marvelous how the Lord opens the way for the book work to be carried forward, even when the finite mind does not see how a certain territory, because of its immense waterways, is ever going to be worked.

Northumberland and Lancaster Counties, the two southernmost counties in the District of Columbia Conference, have an immense area of water. Hence, seeing the advantages that would accrue to the individual who would undertake the colporteur work with a gas launch, Brother Kenneth Gould, a member of the Kilmarnock church, and Brother H. A. Wright constructed a boat of sufficient size to meet their need, equipped it with a good engine, and recently started on their mission. As evidence of how the Lord is blessing their efforts, it need only be stated that the first week of forty-two hours they secured orders to the value of $116, while their cash sales amounted to $14.65. They cook, eat, and sleep in the boat, thus reducing their expenses to the minimum.

Brother Harry L. Gould, who has a thirty-foot gas launch, a twenty-two-foot house boat, and a small rowboat, has likewise dedicated himself to the Lord for service, and will be ready to start on a summer's campaign of book selling as soon as four or five consecrated workers can be got together to accompany him. The plan is to anchor at a town, be it small or great, and while two of the workers canvass the people there, the others will travel over the rural districts for a radius of about six miles. By this means a quick work in spreading the message can be done in that part of the conference.

On this page is a half-tone reproduction of Brethren Gould and Wright, and of their boat “The Messenger.” The writer not only had the pleasure of dining in this boat, but of making a sixteen-mile journey in it, and found that it rides the waves splendidly.

E. R. BUTTON.