Sending Publications to Foreign Stations
By Joseph Bates
DEAR BRO. WHITE:—I have thought that some of our publications might possibly prove a blessing if sent to some of the foreign missionary stations, especially to the Sandwich islands, where so many thousands of our seamen are, in certain seasons of the year harboring and recruiting for the whaling seasons. I learn that there are sometimes from three to four hundred of our seaman in their hospitals at a time, sick and disabled. From this district there are between three and four hundred ships carrying over 10,000 men in the whale fishery. More than one half of these are at those islands three or four times during their voyage. Many of these ships are now fitting from this and other ports of the Union, aud books could be sent by them now almost every week. Perhaps some of our Brn. may feel a willingness to aid you in doing something in this way. In the first angel's message much was said and done about sending Advent publications to foreign stations. Possibly some good may be done by sending forth some under the third angel's message. Once in a while an honest soul may be found wandering over the ocean, as well as over the land. I have been thinking about sending a few of our books and papers to some of these islands on the ocean. I am glad Bro. Hewitt was well cared for among his friends; they will not lose their reward: he was a worthy brother. We are all well as usual here: the church free and united. Yours in love. JOSEPH BATES. Fairhaven, Mass., May 13th, 1855.