The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-11-17

None would be quicker than Jack to de-
tect the false note of earnestness in his
voice, if there were one.
A brief story of his life and his own con-
version at sea will be something of an ex-
PLANTATION. He was born in Portland, "a
years ago, and at the early age offs went
to sea and continued a sailor till he was
20. Then he remained at home a while and
learned the carpenters trade but at inter-
walls went to sea, sailing to the West Indies
and South America.
His conversion happened as follows. as
related in his own words: II left Portland.
February /, 1858 in the brig Rockingham,
of Portsmouth. bound to Cuba. There wa s
a good breeze from the west-northwest and
it was very cold. That night we had to
shorten sail. The next morning the gale
had Increased to a hurricane. the vessel
scudding before it like race-horse. When
five days out, at o'clock. q. M, sea
broke over the ship from stern to stern.
stove the boats and swept eve rything NOV
able from the deck. With the sails blowing
from the bolt-ropes and all hands constant
w at the pumps, myself being one of them.
to keep her free, she was leaking SO bad II
was very evident to me that the snip
corldn,t stand the terror of the sea and
thunder of the storm much longer. In the
horror of darkness and despair prayed
EARNESTLY to nv God, who alone | trusted !.
to save u.s."
Finally they rode out the storm, and
don't yer think" says the old sailor IN tell
ing of it. '.the captain noticed difference
in me after that and spoke of it. l was
better man Y
1t was soon after this and over 30 years
ago that he began his missionary labors In
Portland among the sailor community and
has kept them up ever since, with und1mln-
lshed zeal, always happy in his work, tax
ing all rebuffs and discouragements with
the greatest patience and good nature and
achieving any success with the sincerest
enthusiasm and delight.
In all possible personal ways he has sought
and is still seeking not only to bring indi-
vidual sailors to better sense OF a christian
life. but to help all sailors in any material
way that he can. He is indeed the sailors
good Samaritan. A few illustrations Will
suffice.
1t was not long ago that he noticed
sailor leaning dejectedly against the wall
in an obscure corner on one of the wharves.
What's the matter Jack said he ltave
you met rough weather.
The sailor was only half sober. He had
been on glorious drunk, had spent every
cent he had in the world and had partially
recovered his senses to find that In some
souabble his tIowsers had been so torn that
he was in no fit condition to be. seen on the
street. He told all this to Mr.. Pickett and
exhibited the HOPELESS condition of his Meth
er garments.
WELL" said the latter You have burst
yonr lower sail from leech to leech. sure
enough, You wait there
He went home and when he returned Jack
was soon fitted out with whole ''suit of
sails" from head to foot, for Mr.. Fickett's
wardrobe is apparently like Fortunatus'
purse.
Several years ago when distributing his
papers and magazines on board vessel.
one of the sailors refused them because his
eyes were so weak that he couldn' read.
This set the ''Cap'L'' to thinking lie is
Familiarity known as Capt. Pickett why
shouldn't Jack have spectacles as we'll as
anybody else. He went to Mr.. Cyrus Farley.
the optician, and asked if he had any old
spectacles that he would sell cheap Mr..
Farley soon produced couple of dozen of
old eyeglasses of every description and gave
them to him.
The sailor with the weak eyes was sought
and luckily pair of spectacles was tried
that exactly suited him. He has been a
great reader ever since, but hadn't read
before for years. Eyeglasses were all that
he needed.
From time to time that box of old eye
glasses has been overhauled ever since and
some sailors eyes thus simply made almost
as good as never.
But why is ''Cap'n" Pickett 'actuated by
such deep and powerful interest and affec-
tion for the sailor, so that to help Jack
materially. as well as morally, has been the
chief aim of his life for thirty years and
his greatest source of happiness?
His own words are perhaps the most ex-
pressive. and are certainly the most pic
turesque that could be used.
For thirty years." he says, II have been
cruising along Sailor Town. heaving the
Gospel net and since that time many q
sailor has been caught in the net. I have
been instrumental in bringing many a Ieck-
less sailor, who was crowding all sail down
the Straits of Death. in self-condfence of
his own recklessnoss, now heading for the
Port of Peace. Knowing that sailors are
not the worst men, though Jack when he
gets ashore, may often loose his bearings
and get on the wrong tack for the very
reason that there is always a delegation of
land sharks to prey upon him and knowing
by experience what Jack has to contend
with while ashore and afoat, l felt that
certainly he should Lave my sympathy and
love, if had any"
This is simple statement but 1t means q
life's devotion.
In speaking Of his Sunday visits to the
sailor boarding houses he says:
When l first started in on this good work
was looked upon by the landlords and
Jack, himself, as an intruder, my room bet
ter than my company, but by having tact
Of lufting and bearing away when they
brought their guns to bear I soon gained
the confidence of Jack and landlord
This is simple statement but it means
a remarkable delicacy and skill in word and
deed. and kind heart that seems never
to know resentment or anger, that have
overcome years of rebuffs and insults that
car better be imagined than described.
The following is one of several notable
cases of personal reform that have been
the result of his efforts One PorfIard