THE KING’S BUSINESS
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H undreds of books are put on board ships and thousands of gospels and tracts are read on many steamers plying the seas of the world. Each one has a definite, clear presentation of the cross of Christ as theme, and will you not pray more than ever that many may be saved through the reading of the printed page? A nother clear conversion was that of Mr. U., the third officer on a big freighter. In his case also God honored the Word and saved the man. As a leaflet was being left in an open cabin door, a man passing and entering that cabin said, “Come in and take a seat.” The invitation was very urgent and at once the worker was conscious that God had been and was dealing with this young man. He had read part of the book given him a couple of months ago, “The Way of Life,” and told the worker this experience:: “I went ashore to get a glass of beer in the saloon, and while there a strange conviction came over me of my lost condition and the world I’m living in. I thought I better go and play a game of pool with the fellows, but did not finish the game. I found no pleasure in it and was really sick of it all, and left them to come on board.” It was then that the worker was led to visit the cabin on the “bridge-deck,” and found that the hunger seen in the face of that other wise healthy, strong young officer, was evert more a fact in his heart. After his de cision for Christ, the opportunity was given for a definite study of the Word for an hour and fifteen minutes. “I’m so glad you came on board,” he said, and his face showed it. Surely God does work upon hearts, and what a joy it was to the worker to simply let God mould that life, through His Spirit.
O ne dark night a year and a half ago, a young man (M r. B.) was dealt with whose heart was bitter. Sorrowfully the worker heard from his lips the words, “not tonight,” as he left the ship, although the man said, “You are the only man who ever talked with me w ithout antagonizing me. I could not have told anyone else what I told y o u ; not even my own folks.” Repeated visits to the ships brought no change in the man’s attitude towards Christ, and as he finally left the ship the worker had no knowledge of his whereabouts, until a few weeks ago when he was led to go to his room, after a conference of Bible In stitute workers, although his intention had been to board the car with the other work ers for Los Angeles. Mr. B. was met and the conservation revealed that God had taken from him all means of livelihood, a Storm having wrecked the little fishing ves sel he had bought with the money saved while on the steamer where we first met him. Driven to think of and attempt sui cide, and tired of the world because of his misfortune, he was told that without Christ he could not expect anything better, and again the claims of Christ were brought be fore him. Work was found, and a few days afterwards while the Spirit of God was dealing with him, alone in his little room, he confessed Christ as his personal Saviour. He sees now that the misfortune encount ered proved the greatest blessing of his life, as it brought him face to face with the fact that he was depending on self and careless of God. He is now busy spreading the news and a letter received ends thus: “I am also sending a letter home, and in my poor way I’ve tried to impress my fam ily with the happiness that has come to me since I accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour.” (
The Work in the Shops David Cant, Superintendent
T '' HIS little incident occurred at the close -*• of one of those dear old heart-search ing hymns: A great, big, Splendid specimen
of a man gripped our hand and said, with deep feeling, “Brother, I know that old, old story is true, and I’ve been enjoying
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