Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-05-30
THE MISSIONARY sLoop.
First Years. Work OF Coast Mission
airy White.

4
issued. To sail sloop in parish extend
ing from Kittery Point to Quoddy Head,
along the broken coast OF Maine, in all
kinds OF weather, is no small undertaking.
To enter the coves and harbors, to call on
the families on isolated islands, to visit
the hghtkeepers and the saving sta
tions, is a task OF greater magnitude.
The Maine Sea Coast Missionary society
was organized at Bar Harbor in June, 1905.
The following officers were elected: Presi-
dent, Angus Mcdonald, Bar Harbor;
vice. president, jefferson c. Smith, Bar
Harbor; treasurer, Thomas Searls; secre-
tary, Alexander p. Mcdonald, Seal Har-
Dor; missionary in the field, Capt. H. f.
White, Seal Harbor.
Capt. White entered upon his work last
July. The summer months were largely
spent in an investigation of the field and
preparation for the work BY the gener-
Gus response of the summer residents
slong the coast, the gifts OF friends who
knew the need of such work, the special
gifts OF Bar Harbor friends, and the per-
sonal interest taken in the movement by
Rev. Lyman Abbott, funds were pro-
vided and an auxiliary sloop bought and
paid for.
Following is summary Of the work
done the past year by the missionary,
Capt. II. f. White, as contained in the first
report Of the society:
Number OF miles Travelled .............. ...l5s5
Number OF settlements visited. ...... ... "a
Total number ofvisits made............... 12s
Services conducted by the missionary
Mone................., ................... 81
Services in which he aided other
workers ............ ..................... "a
Enrolled in the home department of the
Sea Coast Sunday school scholars 80. n
Encouraged in procuring supplies Sunday
schools.-,.-.....-........ Observation-Disclosures.
Organized one Junior Endeavor society
sin the distribution OF literature given
by interested friends, one Sunday school
was furnished with library of Atty FIVE VOL
umes. On the sloop Hope a circulating
library is carried, and many families are
thus supplied with reading, also vessels,
homes and schools have been supplied
with literature.
SIN benevolent work, one trip was made
for physician, two persons were aided in
getting TO hospital, five boats were aided
| while in trouble, many sick were visited,
and one funeral service conducted. The
| winter months were spent mosly in two
| fields, Corea and Little Deer Isle.
"We have caused the different de-
| nominations to give more thought to their
weaker churches along the coast. The I'M
UNCONVENTIONAL character of our society
| has proved OF great value in uniting the
different denominations in religious work,
| especially in those small communities
| where bigotry separated the people and
prevented Christian fellowship and spir-
itual communion.
sour first years work has impressed us
| wildly with two facts: first, how little OF
the coast line can be efficiently covered by
one missionary; secondly, the imperative
need OF just this kind of practical
Christian work we are endeavoring to do.
1.-THE most promising work, we find, is
with the young people. Our missionary
visits the public schools and keeps in
touch with the young, and some OF them
are boys and girls to be proud of-making
the best of their meagre advantages to
| procure an education. In one place Of
| about forty families, where the town was
| too poor to make proper provision for the
| winter term OF school, the boys and girls
over twelve hired the teacher themselves
and continued the school. We find also
| bright boys and girls who have completed
a common school course, but who are diff
dent about going away from home to con-
4 =. k..- -, -.
not go because they have not the means.
| We wish some one who is looking for a good
| investment in educational W ork, would
consider live, active, healthy boy or girl
and help HIM to better start in life.
"In the care of the sick we feel that the
cause would be greatly aided by some ar
rangement with centrally located hospi
tai, for the treatment of patients at mod
crate terms and in some cases gratuitously.
''On the islands it costs from s. to go a
| visit to procure the services OF a physi
clan. 1t Is difficult for us to realize the
hardships endured by many who have not
the means to secure proper medical treat
| ment.
ITO make this work effective along these
lines a larger launch, with shallow
draught, having proper accommodations
for at least six people, who, during the
months OF summer as a social settlement,
would go from place to place along the
coast and would render most valuable SER
vice in arousing the people to a more
wholesome way OF living.
1.-THE report Of our missionary will indi-
cate something OF what he has tried to ac-
complish. The secretary spent most Of
the year in an island parish under no ex-
pense to the society, part of the time
teaching the common school. The presi-
dent rendered valuable help in special
meetings and by an occasional lecture.
1.-THE foundation for a good work has
been laid, and we rejoice in the hearty CO.
operation of so many interested friends,
| from so many sections OF our land. In
work such as we are doing, our efficiency
and scope must be governed by our income.
| O.,~ +. nj. 10