Ship Mission Work in San Francisco by Chas. W. Peter

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 26, 1910

Ship Mission Work in San Francisco

By Chas. W. Peter

In “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. IX, we are admonished to distribute literature judiciously upon ships as well as on trains, etc. The great city of San Francisco affords a wonderful opportunity to carry out this instruction. Her water-front tells the story of many seas, and her wharves moor argosies from every port of the maritime world. A large number of vessels of those I have visited during the past five years have been wrecked, and many lives have been lost. Other fine, new ships have taken their places, and ply between this port and home and foreign coasts. I am endeavoring to supply these vessels with literature on present truth, placing it in cabins, reading-racks, state-rooms, and using it in personal work.

Thousands of soldiers and marines can be reached in this way during the year. There is a constant stream of young men from all over the nation in service on the battle-ships and in the island possessions. These young men are cosmopolitan in the extreme. Some crews of vessels carry representatives of as many as twelve nationalities, sometimes even more. To reach these men, it is necessary to have literature in various languages. I need tons of English literature to carry on the work in this large harbor. To secure this I suggest that churches, missionary societies, and young people’s societies subscribe for clubs of papers sent to me from the publishing houses.

By the spirit of prophecy we are counseled to work these large cities while we have opportunity. Do you, who can not be here personally, desire to have a part in this work? If so, you can ship literature, freight prepaid, to my address (mark “Melrose”); or, as suggested, order clubs of papers sent to me from the publishing houses.

I take orders for books, such as “Heralds of the Morning,” “The Story of Daniel,” and “Coming King” (Spanish). During one noon hour lately I

took orders for five copies of “Heralds of the Morning,” and another noon I obtained orders for four copies of the “Coming King” in Spanish. These will be delivered when the steamers return. All profits of literature sold in this way are used in forwarding this work. In addition to this ship work I supply fourteen reading-racks in stations scattered over the large city of Oakland. This reading-rack service is wielding an influence for good that eternity alone will reveal.

In closing, I would ask you to pray for the success of this work, that the literature will accomplish that for which it is prepared, the salvation of souls.

My address is 1454 Fortieth Ave., East Oakland, Cal. CHAS. W. PETER.