The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-12-21
He Keeps Ills Weather Eye Open To
Do Good.
Supplying Good Litera-
ture to the Sailors.
His Visits to the Marine Hospi'
tai and to Sailing Ships.

One OF the busiest men In this city dur
ing the year now so nearly drawing to q
close has been Captain X. =. Pickett,
who for many years has been one OF ths
officials at the barge office. Captain
Pickett, has followed the seas since a
mere lad, and has always manifested
deep interest In the welfare OF his fellow
sailors. For several years past he has
bsen especially active In missionary work
among the sailor lads.
The other afternoon he spoke In most
Interesting manner with q reporter OF the
PRESS regarding the labors that he has
accompli shed during the year.
4 "God has been pleased to NIL the sails
OF my affection that l might catch the
gales of Heavenly influences that have
arisen during the past year." said the
veteran mariner. 81 now drop anchor
after twelve months cruise and Invite
you to inspect the ship with me. 1t
is with feeling of gratitude to God that
do this. In supplying me with the ne
csssity to perform my labor OF love OF
God and man during the past ysar, much
real interest hiss been aroused among the
sailors. There has been great sorrow on
the sea. A large number of vessels have
been lost this past year Some OF the
vessels left this port ard on these visit
ed and to their sailors on bead l spoke
words of sympathy and love, besides sup
plying them with good literature. Little
did think that 1t would he the last
time. These vessels left for their desired
Ravens with full sail and flying colora
aud now straining eyes are looking In
vain for the loved ones to return.
al have special grounds OF encourage
ment to labor among these big listed sons
of Neptune to whom I have given my
practical sympathy for over forty years.
A kind word concerning the love Of our
slessed Savior to them and others, lind,
often touches chord In their hearts
which will Mt oncs vibrate In harmony.
Lei US remem Der that We are all mari
nsrs navigating the tempestuous ocean OF
life. Keep Jour weather eyes lifting. II
may bs asked how ] onn devote so much
time to mission work and still attend to
my official duties. To this will answer
tuhb N pckeoh Sui 300 ono w
much while others around him have no
desire or will to do these things. When
Captain Edwsrd Johnson, Of the light
house steamer Lilac was living, he was
one Of the thoughtful men..who ever had
his eyes lifting for an opportunity to do
good to his fellow men on land and on
saa. lie has gone to his reward. That
noble hearted man would never pass q
poor struggling fisherman without run
ming down alongside and singing out to
the fisherman to give him line.
"Thsre are three millions Of these men
whose homes are on the sea five .eig hths OF
the time. / find In my mission work
among those toilers of the deep good men
Of careful training, sterling integrity and
Christian devotion who, thank God. car.
~ the Bible and who do lot forget their
mothers. Certainly 1t is delightful &c
keep track of the influence Of these men.
Neglect the saiior and you retard the
worlds evangelization. Convert him
and you hasten the kindgom Of Heaven.
az have visited the United States ma
rine hospital many times during the
year. and have always found 1t In ship
shape, Bristol style, and have been oordi-
ally and heartily resolved by the physl.
clans, nurses and from Is to % sick sail
ors. have been greatly aided by Broth
er Burgess and Brother Applebee. The
sailors would express their thanks to Vi
In a most touching manner. 1t is very
gratifying to me to know that my work
is thus appreciated and that many of the
sailors have individually expressed the
hope that they would bs willing to carry
the glad tidings from ship to ship and
from port to port.
81 have visited 730 vessels In this port
this year and in almost every instance
have supplisd them with good litsra
ture. have placed a library on the bark
Edmund Phinney bound to Buenos
Ayes, and on thu bark Arthur q. Wade.