THE KING’S BUSINESS
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easy feat when one attempts it for the first time after passing the fortieth year mile stone. The women are attempting for the first time to do personal work and make visitation calls. As a result there have been converts and showers of blessing in their homes and in their neighborhood. S he came in flippant, indifferent, self- righteous, discussing a point about prayer. Of course she "prayed” but prayer was often not answered. “Was she a Chris tian?” "Oh, yes.” “Born again?” “Oh, I don’t know anything about that sort of thing.” “Was she a sinner?” “Why, no, not especially.” “But God—” She rose from her knees and went away rejoicing in board recalls the different opportunities we have had of preaching the Word on the ill- fated vessels and forces us to ask ourselves, “Have we faithfully done His will in the day of opportunity, or have we failed God?” I n such hours while lives are confronted with the realities of eternity no doubt God brings home the messages heard but not heeded. God’s providence overrules human deficiency and some day God will show how every footstep of the worker was guided and how “all things work together for good.” One day a vessel was boarded and a mess- man dealt with, the only man on that ship the workers had an opportunity to definitely deal with. A few weeks later news came of another steamer that the workers had often visited having gone down with all its men and a number of passengers. A little later the first vessel was again visited and while bringing the truth home, using the loss of that steamer as an illustration that the time was short, the worker learned that one of this crew had left the ship shortly before and gone on the one that went down and A MONG varied incidents the sinking of a steamer with many or all lives on
life for God had revealed her sin and she had found a Saviour. A young man, brilliant, gifted, popular, was led into the deep sin of drink. Family troubles followed, and in a fit of despera tion he attempted his life by cutting his throat. “But God—rich in mercy,” held back the knife that it might not strike the vital vein. While in the hospital two weeks later this man was brought face to face with the question, “What shall I then do with Jesus?” Through the ministry of one of our Bible women he was led to ask that question and found the answer in the con fession of Christ. Today this man is happy, rejoicing in the Saviour and witnessing to His saving and keeping power. was lost. That man was the messman, the only man dealt with when the boat was in the harbor before and the only man to leave this ship on which God gave us an other opportunity to work. God knew of that man’s need and his near end and led us to him in answer to prayer. W ithin a few weeks two steamers were lost with a large number of men on board. While on the other side of the world two other steamers on which the message was given here in San Pedro by the workers were destroyed in the war. Surely much prayer is needed for God’s wisdom in guid ing the workers while carrying the message of the Cross to the men of the sea. D uring the past month again and again we have learned how the Gospels and books given out months and a year ago are still kept and read over and over. One man who was met on a street car said, “Mr. Z-----, do you remember the day you gave me a book on the Swedish steamship? It was a Swed ish book, 'The Way To God,' and I have never in all my life found a book that helped me more. If I read it once I read it a hun-
The Work in Los Angeles Harbor Mr. Oscar Zimmerman, Superintendent.
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