Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-09-30
COAST MISSIONARY.


Interesting and Important Work
Among Coast and Island Towns.
Tossed about on the Atlantic in his little
crstt which in storm Ii but . frsil cookie
shell, carrying the good news Of the gospel
TO those who otherwise would be utterly
without its influence 80 far Is outside help
is concerned, the beautiful work being
done by the messenger OF the Seacoast
Missionary society is among the most
practical philanthrophies OF Maine.
Starting all his activities from Bar Har-
Dor, the headquarters Of this three-year-
old missionary effort and home port OF
the staunch little launch Morning Star,
Rev. Alexander P. Macdonald sails 100
miles east and 100 miles west every month
during the season, counseling, aiding,
assisting mentally, morally and spirit
ual.y the thousands Of waits Of humanity
who are, by virtue Of situation and cir
cumstance, cut on from the humanizing
influence which help their fellows to grow
and increase In mental and spiritual
stature.
The way In which this work had its be-
ginnings ID well worth . paragraph. For
several years while, - . student in college,
he taught in vacation along the rock
bound coast Of Maine, young Alec. Mac
Donald was deeply concerned with the
Csat problems which confront the outer
dwellers of the Maine coast-those people
Who are isolated from their kind by phys
ical conditions, or whose duties - keepers
Of the danger signals ON the rocky islands
prevent their giving to their families and
enjoying for themselves the intellectual
and religious privileges which are received
by the great mass OF the people q so much
matter OF course that they seldom real
Re what it means to have free access to
them.
On islands where . single family Is
often the entire population; on others
where one family originally, its members
have increased and intermarried in ignor-
ance Of laws human and divine until they
are stunted, physically and otherwise; on
isolated headlands over which the con-
trolling towns have no interest and less
care; everywhere along the coast where
there are human souls in need OF assist
snce, this missionary goes carrying first
the practical aid to the bodily needs, and
following 1t up with the spiritual message
given him to deliver.
Speaking before q congregation Of
Wealthy summer visitors in his brothers.
church in Bar Harbor three summers ago,
MS story Of the needs of these outcast
members OF the Maine coast excited such
sympathy that funds were at once proffered
N tens, twenty-fves and hundreds, and
'ae two MacDonalds organized at once the
society that has grown into such a noble
snd effective work.
a missionary was secured, an auxiliary
aoop bought, and from port to port, island
70 Island and headland to headland she
1uised, Capt. White doing what he could.
eut the sloop proved not altogether suited,
mo Tor the past two seasons her work has
osen done By the Morning Star, trig
I"le launch that might be the private
saent OF wealthy cottager, and whose
s''come lines are the only ones which
up q the places where she drops anchor
- : month. Other yachts sail right by,
u happy occupants little dreaming how
siy they are touching elbows with
oies - they steam careiessiy past,
.aus hearts that are hungry with the
yang for human companionship watch
800 through eyes grown wistful with
s.'ng and wish they would stop--at
1T sometimes.
solene y the motive power that pushes
Aorning Star along over the pillows
Msae Atlantic from station to station Of
Nacoast parish, which numbers Atty
w Eauons 70 b visited each month,
!. N. ing Ss7ao mon, women and children
@*nes, suitable to rigors OF the tenn
snae vent their fury on these unpro-
n hon. .sns Of bottles Of Roley's Honey and