Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1912-08-21
SEA COAST MISSIONS.
Origin and Growth of this Work In
Maine.

by Rev. II. w. Collins, Of Deer Isle.l
In these days of modern and efficient
methods, when the gospel car and motor
boat have superseded the old snail going
primitive days of missionary endesvor, it
is worth while to study the development
in coast missions, not the least OF which
is the good work being accomplished in
providing religious privileges to the light
houses and remote settlements from
Quoddy Head to Kittery Point.
The self-sacrifIc and conservation of the
noble men who founded and developed
the Maine sea coast missions is again
brought to cur attention by the death OF
Capt George W. Lane, of Maiden, Mass,
which occurred at his summer home on
sebasco island, Portland, July rs, at the
age of seveuty-seven years
After serving four years in the navy
during the Civil war, this man OF vision,
and one OF the choicest spirits among
men. conceived the idea OF patreiling the
coast and carrying the gospel message to
places deprived of such privileges. MIR.
Lane had recently experienced conversion
and was filled with the desire to help his
fellow men.
This inspiring genius of this branch of
mission work began his labors in May,
1850, using for the purpose twenty-foot
sailing sloop- His first services were
rendered gratis, but later friends of the
effort recommended him TO the American
Sunday school Union, and under the
auspices OF that society he served upwards
OF ten years, establishing his missions at
Friendship, Muscorgus Island, Little
Deer Isle, Outer Long Island and other
points, thus doing a constructive work to
be developed into churches.
About the year 1880 Capt. Lane WAS
transferred to the Congregational Sunday
School Publishing society, continuing his
| itinerary to the coast settlements until the
year 1900, when, through i'll health, he was
forced to retire from active lapors.
/ To Capt. Lane we owe the inspiration
of the present Maine sea coast missionary
work. The people of Outer Long Island
petitioned the Maine Missionary society
for a preacher to supply them, and the
society responded by sending Alexander
| P. Mcdonald, then a student at Bangor
/ theological seminary. Mr.. Mcdonald,
| during his pastorate at Outer Long Island,
was led to take up the coast work and
| thus continue the missions Capt. Lane
had organized, employing a motor boat
| for his journeys. Mr.. McDonaId's con-
secrated labors in this good cause are well
/ known to the people OF Maine, and to him
belongs the credit of developing this work
| At the present time a weli-equipped
yacht about seventy feet in length, with
motor power. is used by Missionary Nc
\ Donald. Capt. Lane, to whose genius we
owe the inspection OF this grand enter
prise, spent much time during the years OF
/ his retirement from active work, in mis-
sion work among the islands OF Casco bay
Simple, impressive funeral services were
held at his summer cottage on Sebasco is
! land, where 200 friends gathered out OF re-
spect to this friend of the people. The
remains were taken to Deer Isle for inter
ment. Capt. Lane is survived by his wife
| Mrs. Lucy A. Lane, and two daughters
Flora, wife of Emery C. Noyes, Of Detroit,
and Miss Cora Lane.
Men of the type OF Capt. Lane, who
blaze the way for. better conditions OF
living, though their work be forgotten,
yet, they being dead, are still speaking
They serve well their generation, and their
works do follow them.