519
THE KING’S BUSINESS
WORK IN PACIFIC COAST HARBORS
Oscar Zimmermann, Supt.
B ECAUSE of the war, news of the arri val or departure of vessels is kept hidden. Vessels painted in the colors of war pass in and slip out mysteriously, and reports of vessels sunk, come in. Those of the workers who were in the work in its early stages, when prayer meetings were held in empty freight cars, or between stacks of lumber, remember the names of two vessels recently sunk, the “Aztec” and “Seward,” and later the “Missourian.” They lie at the bottom of the ocean, but the memory of the several visits to each one, the men who were entreated to accept the Saviour, and one who did accept, will never be forgotten. Truly, this labor was not in vain in the Lord. There is a long list of ships which have gone the same way, and the workers know always that this is the time of their opportunity. Only one vessel, so far, has been closed to our visits among the merchant marine here in San Francisco Harbor. On April 5, twenty-four vessels arrived; April 6, thirteen vessels arrived; April 7, fifteen vessels came in, and April 9, twenty-two vessels made port according to the Marine Exchange’s last reports. (Since then, no list has been printed). Can any one doubt that God’s hand is in this who has thus opened and keeps open doors for service? An interesting account of how the enemy is defeated when he attempts to put up bars, is as follows: Permission was asked of a well-known shipping firm, which sends out a large number of .vessels, to board their ships. A short answer came, “No,” but giving no reason. Apparently there was no reason except personal disinclina tion, so the worker felt that an effort was being made to hinder God’s 'work and refused to be scared out of this splendid opportunity, although the “no” came from
the head of the concern. The worker bided his time, praying, and’finally felt led to board one of the vessels, where he found a warm welcome .by the captain and officers, and so far has been on nearly a dozen of the ships of that concern. Then came the day when a large package of papers of a Satanic cult was found, and with it became apparent the reason for the refusal. The way found by the worker is one void of offense, and some day the man whom Satan put in the way will, surprised, yet he cannot keep the c blocked any more. We pray fa version. good book. One was given to me a Pedro some time ago—‘Select Sermo was. They come on the ships there all t time from the Bible Institute.” Ques tioning him further, he professed faith in Jesus Christ and said that after a good training, he left home, went to sea, for got his mother’s Bible, and got deeply into sin. Finally he was under conviction and sure of the ultimate end of his life, and he felt he must turn away from sin. Just at this time this book was given to him, and showed him the way out of it all into Christ. “I saw also,” he said, “that I •must be fully willing to be on that side altogether, or not at all.” He read his Bible (kept it under his pillow). Our hearts were made glad at this fresh evi dence of God’s approval on our poor and meager efforts to glorify Himself through His power. A great sense of the need of prayer is upon us. Do uphold us in the work by prayer. Special wisdom and power is needed to minister to those around us. One day a book was place room table of a vessel bel .Union Oil Company fleet, examining the same, said:
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker