Seaman's Mission, San Francisco.
By H. C. Palmer
ITEMS OF INTEREST FOR MAY.
On the ship C—, a man in the forecastle is much interested. He is a skeptic, but when certain points were explained he decided to investigate, and report when he got home. He seemed candid, but his mind had been turned away from religion by the conflicting teachings of different expositors. May our Heavenly Father direct him in his search for truth. Ship T— S—. The cook on this vessel was interested. He was not a religious man himself, but said the SIGNS OF THE TIMES was a good paper, and asked to have some copies sent to his sisters in Dublin. Said he would get his sisters to write. He was promised extra reading matter, on condition that he would read it before giving it to his sisters. This he promised to do. May he see the light. Ship I—. The men in the forecastle of this ship seemed possessed of very inquiring minds, and anxious to know the truth. The first mate promised to visit me, but has not done so yet. The captain said he had read all our tracts and papers on his voyage from here home, last year, but had not decided what to do. He wanted to examine the Sabbath question more fully. There is a germ of religion in this ship, which may ripen into good fruit. We must pray for it. The limited number of ships in this month, lessens the interest of the report, but we know that the seed of truth is being sown, and are not discouraged. A stewardess on a steamer is about to take a vacation, and she evinced much interest, and promised to investigate during her leisure. She said she would want further information. Elder Loughborough writes from England, that six persons have bought books and subscribed for papers, as the result of the work here. Some of the names were obtained directly through the ship work, and this gives us courage and hope. He also writes, in answer to my inquiry, that ship work will be commenced in Liverpool as soon as laborers can be obtained. This is very necessary, so that interested readers on this side can be visited on their arrival there, and vice versa. There are some of the Lord's jewels on board the ships; may we, as his servants, have the privilege of finding them. The time for the harvest is now, the working time is upon us. All our powers of mind and strength are necessary to advance the work of God. Diligence and the love of souls should stimulate us to see how well we can do the Lord's will. Can we read of his great love and devotion to man, without feeling a desire to follow in his footsteps, and submit to his guidance? Let our faith be looking forward to that hour when the King of glory shall say to his worthy people these words of welcome: "Well done, good and faithful servant." This should be our position before our Heavenly Father; we should be in such close connection, that our every hope should be centered in rescuing souls from darkness and bringing them into this great light. Mind, means, strength, all are the Master's; he has bought us; we are not our own. He has paid the price in his precious blood, and we must be so that His mind can direct everything we do. This theme is a grand one, and we can pray that the Lord may purify us, so that we may be worthy to continue labor in his vineyard.
H. C. PALMER.