Ship Missionary Work in Singapore by W. W. Fletcher

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 18, 1907

Ship Missionary Work in Singapore

By W. W. Fletcher

About one month ago a church missionary society was organized in Singapore, with Brother Mills as leader, and with leaders for the various branches of missionary effort we are planning to carry on in this city. These comprise ship mission work, hospital visiting, missionary correspondence, industrial department, tract loaning, and selling and distributing our periodicals.

Having been appointed librarian for our society, I am confronted with the problem of how to obtain supplies of literature for our ship mission work. As a port of call Singapore is one of the most important in the world. In the daytime our harbor presents a forest of masts and spars, and at night the countless lights give it the appearance of a thickly populated city. Think of the thousands of men “that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters,” that call here in their journeying. Vessels come here from every nation under heaven, and to those countries they return. We have here an opportunity, such as exists in few other places, to scatter our literature toward the four winds.

Now there are thousands of our good missionary papers in the homes of our people, “hiding their light under a bushel,” that might easily be proclaiming their message on all the high seas. If our dear brethren and sisters will co-operate with us, this will soon be accomplished. Send us back numbers of the Signs, Watchman, Instructor, Life Boat, and our health papers, and you will help us in this effort to give light to the sailors. It does not matter how old the papers are so long as they are clean. Neither does it matter what language they are printed in. Literature in foreign tongues will be especially useful.

Address all papers to Elder G. F. Jones, “Villa Hatsu,” 12 Dhoby Ghaut, Singapore, Straits Settlements.

Remember that here is a golden opportunity to dig up the buried talent and set it to work somewhere in the Lord’s vineyard.

Some of the bravest and warmest-hearted men of this generation are those who are continually facing the perils of the deep. These will also endure much for the Lord’s sake when they learn the truth. Let us do what we can to give them the opportunity. Just recently two British man-of-war men visited us, who accepted the message through mission work done at St. Lucia, West Indies. I am sure that if the readers of these lines could meet these brethren, and know how they are holding up the light before hundreds of their shipmates, it would kindle a burning desire

to see many more such lights. This one means of supplying the seamen with our literature is within our reach. Let us use it faithfully.

The pioneer of pioneers in the third angel’s message (Joseph Bates) was a seaman. In the latter end of the message the toilers of the deep will join heartily in the sounding of it; for Isaiah, in speaking of the remnant church, says, “They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the Lord, they shall cry aloud from the sea.” Isa. 24:14. W. W. FLETCHER.