p. 19 | The Gospel to the Sailors by A. J. S. B.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 19, 1911

The Gospel to the Sailors

By A. J. S. B.

LIFE at sea makes one anxious for reading-matter. It also leads man to realize, as nothing else will, his absolute dependence upon his Maker. In the words of the psalmist: “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth up the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. . . . He bringeth them unto their desired haven.” Ps. 107: 23-30.

For this reason, sailors as a class are appreciative of religious literature. Some of the methods of reaching officers and sailors on the ships are clearly outlined in the following interesting account of “A Day in Ship Mission Work,” recently received from Brother D. D. Fitch, of the Southern California Conference:—

A Day in Ship Mission Work

“At a recent young people’s rally it was decided to promote the ship mission work at San Pedro, Cal. A collection

of over ten dollars was raised, to which a brother from San Pedro later added enough more to pay for twenty copies of the weekly Signs of the Times for six months. Other papers had been sent in by friends, and we wish to assure you who may have missionary papers to spare, that they will be placed where they will count for the advancement of the message. On a recent Thursday about fifty of our people arrived at this port on our return from the annual camp-meeting. One of this number had brought with him a large supply of up-to-date, message-filled magazines, which had been purchased by the San Pedro friends for distribution. In addition to this, we had a supply of the Temperance number of the Youth’s Instructor, which the young people on the camp-ground had paid for, with the understanding that the papers should be placed on board the ships.

“The Lord opened the way to have these papers placed on board the United States torpedo-boats, a number of which lay in the harbor. As soon as we had found a safe place to leave our luggage, I visited the ‘Truxton,’ one of the fleet which lay alongside the wharf. I obtained permission from the commander to place the literature in the mess-rooms used by the crew. He also told me how to place reading-matter aboard the seven other boats lying behind the breakwater in the outer harbor. Brother Hawkins, mother, and I waited at the city wharf until the launch came from one of the boats, and told our errand to the one in charge, as directed by the officer of the ‘Truxton.’ He willingly took us to the ‘Perry.’

“The chief officer of the ‘Perry’ received us, and after learning our errand, escorted me to the different mess-rooms, where I left the papers, speaking a word to the men, and requesting careful usage.

“From the ‘Perry,’ we were taken in a launch to the ‘Stuart,’ where we distributed more literature. It would have been more economical for them to have had us make the round in one boat, but each time our kind host would send us in his own boat. The launch was undergoing repairs, so the captain’s gig was fitted up with cushions, etc., and five men rowed us and our bundles of papers over to the ‘Preble.’

“Thus we passed from boat to boat, welcomed and kindly received, although it was at a time of target practise, when the men are not allowed liberty, and when visitors are not permitted to come aboard. In the afternoon we were landed by the launch from the ‘Whipple’ at the same wharf from which we started in the morning. We were hungry and tired, but glad for the privilege of placing the gospel-filled literature aboard these destructive boats, which, of themselves, are plain signs of the second coming of Him whom we love.

“After lunch I visited two other boats of the same fleet that lay at the wharf. The statement of my errand gave me a free passage to and from the boats, so that during the day no expense was incurred for transportation. About four hundred periodicals and magazines were distributed to the men in this fleet, and also to the crews of some other boats.

“Those desiring to assist in this work will kindly mail such literature or books as they can spare to Chas. Bennett, 730 Dodson St., San Pedro, Cal.’”

Where we now have one ship missionary, we should have many. The encouraging reports received from this class of workers in New York, San Francisco, and other seaports are an index of what will be accomplished in this direction when we fully realize our responsibility for the souls of those “that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters.”

Here is an opportunity for many church-members to subscribe for clubs of the Signs of the Times, the Gospel Sentinel, and our other magazines and periodicals, to be used in reaching these sailors, who visit the great seaports, as well as the ports of the Great Lakes and the many navigable streams.

For full information as to how you can help in this good work, address your conference tract society secretary or your missionary secretary, who will be glad to inform you of the prices on clubs of our papers and magazines. Back numbers of papers and magazines that you have read will also be acceptable to the sailors.

A. J. S. B.