MISSIONARY WORK ON SHIP-BOARD.
By M. L. H.
During the last quarter considerable attention has been given to this branch of the work. In Southampton, England, the ships visited were as follows: 18 sailing to the East Indies, 16 to the West Indies, 28 to different points in England, 18 to America, 10 to France, 7 to Norway, 8 to the Cape of Good Hope, 5 to Scotland, 4 to Ireland, 4 to Brazil, 3 to Sweden, 3 to Finland, 2 to Denmark, 2 to Italy, 1 each to Wales, Russia, and the Black Sea; total number, 131. On these vessels were placed 1,644 periodicals, and 40,412 pages of books and tracts. Of this amount 144 periodicals and 10,336 pages of tracts were sold. The total number of ships visited since the work was first commenced in England is 395. The following from Bro. Ings will be of interest:— “I visited a steamer this week direct from San Francisco, Cal., and handed one of the men a copy of the Signs. He recognized it immediately. ‘Yes,’ said he, ‘it is the same paper; for here is Mrs. White’s article.’ They seemed to be well acquainted with our papers and to like them, also the tracts which they received in San Francisco. I have learned that the captain of one of the West India steamers reads our publications to the passengers and crew on Sundays. A steward on one of the Brazil steamers was so much pleased with a copy of the Signs which he obtained from another boat that he desired to help us in our work, and gave me fifty cents. He promised to scatter the publications which I gave him to the best advantage at the different ports where they were to stop. “The officers of the ships which I visit manifest a surprising willingness to circulate our publications. They say to me, ‘Have you more of the Signs of the Times?’ and talk as though they were well acquainted with the papers, which is a proof that they have read them. We place four packages on boats going on long voyages,—one for the crew, one for the saloon, and two to be left at ports or with passing vessels. “It does seem to me that those Conferences having a sea-board should be alive to the importance of this branch of the work, and not let such golden opportunities for spreading the truth pass by unimproved. The message must go by sea and land, and sea-faring men are ready and willing to help in the work of spreading it. I wish that many more ships would call at this port, so that I could give the truth a wider circulation in this way. “Our missionary work on land is encouraging. I went yesterday to a small town where I had left packages of tracts two weeks ago. I sold thirty-two packages, besides other books. Since yesterday morning I have received six good missionary letters. Two persons wished to subscribe for the Signs. We are of good courage.” The following is from the Secretary of the California T. and M. Society, respecting missionary work on ships in that State:— “Owing partly to the financial standing of this branch of the work, but more particularly to the lack of proper persons who were willing to engage in it, the work on shipboard has not for a few months in the past received that attention which its importance demands. At the camp-meeting held in the southern part of the State this spring, the wants of this mission were considered, and pledges taken for a fund of $1,000 with which to carry it forward, and also for a T. and M. reserve fund of $2,000. The brethren present, not representing over one-fourth of our strength in the State, pledged over $1,700. It is designed to place libraries of our works, worth from ten to fifteen dollars, on steamers leaving San Francisco, besides furnishing them the Signs, Good Health, and such other periodicals as may be thought best. The mission is again provided with efficient laborers. “Those engaging in the work have received letters from several captains who express much gratitude for the light received and the benefit derived from our publications. One acknowledged the weight of evidence to be entirely upon the side of the seventh-day Sabbath. Our missionaries have received several donations from officers of ships, to be used to help on the good work; and captains appear willing, not only to have reading matter placed on board their ships for the crew and passengers, but to take our publications free of charge to almost any port in the civilized world. “Considerable interest has been shown by the inhabitants of one of the islands of the Pacific, to whom some of our papers were given. This was reported by the captain who furnished them with reading matter, and more has been sent. Many addresses have been obtained from officers and sailors for our V. M. societies, and thus interested readers have been secured in various parts of the world through the instrumentality of this mission. “The number of ships visited during the quarter is 91, upon which were left 14,118 pages of tracts, 1,783 periodicals, and 405 Annuals.” Bro. Wm. J. Dunscomb, of Portland, Maine, also sends a short but interesting report. Comparatively few vessels visit that port, but all of sufficient note are supplied with reading matter. He inclosed one dollar received from the captain of a vessel on its way to Buenos Ayres, in return for publications which he was to take to a friend of his who was a Sunday-school superintendent in that place. From other points where this work is carried forward, no report has been received this quarter.