Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-29
TENTH YEARS SERVICE
OF REV. A. p. MACDON-
AID, COAST MISSIONARY

A minister whose parish includes land
and water, his church gasoline boat
which seeks out the lonely harbors and
small settlements of the Maine Coast,
Rev. Alexander p. Macdonald. the pas
tor of the Maine Sea Coast Missionary
Society, has just completed his 10th year
of service.
Starting from a humble beginning in n
sailboat, carrying his message occasion
ally to various points on the coast. out
growing the usefulness of a gasoline
launch, and now using a fine cruising
yacht, which is capable of making trips
at all seasons of the year. welcomed in
every little harbor from kittery to East
port.
The work of the mission is confined to
that portion of the coast people. who are
by their isolation deprived of educational
and religious advantages, medical science
and social gathering.
In 1904 Mr.. Macdonald and the pastor
of the Bar Harbor congregational church
launched the enterprise. The sloop Hope
was purchased for $500, and Capt. II. z.
White was employed as navigator.
The following year, the Maine Coast
Missionary Society was formed, unde-
nominational in character, and shortly
afterward a fine yacht, the Morning Star
was given by the late Bishop Alexander
Mackay-Smith of Philadelphia.
The services of Rev. Mr.. Macdonald
were secured to devote his entire time
to the work, and the Mission began at
once to fill a large place in the lives of
the coast jewellers.
A few years ago Mrs. John S. Kennedy
of New York. gave a fine gasoline yacht,
costing more than $4,000. and staunch
enough to be used at all seasons. This
gave the work a big impetus.
Others deeply interested in the work
have been DR.. Lyman Abbott, DR.. Henry
Van Dyke, DR.. A. F. Schauffler. Bishop
Dole, Pres. Emeritus Charles w Eliot,
Bishop Alexander Mackay-Smith and
Morris X. Jessup.
Starting from Bar Harbor, the mission
boat makes trips, generally of fort
nights duration, touching at all Of the
little settlements and dispensing cheer,
consolation, religious advice, educational
or even medical advice, so far as posi-
BILE.
To visit all the families, pray with the
sick and aged, comfort those In trouble,
perform marriage ceremonies, bury the
dead leave bundles of reading matter
warm clothes and other creature COM
forts, and to make a note of existing
conditions for the future betterment OF
the place, are only few of the manifold
duties.
Whenever possible a religious service is
held, the families from far and near COM
ing to hear the Gospel message.
During the past year the missionary
held 595 preaching services, travelled 934r
miles, officiated at 10 funerals, admins
! tered communion eight times and re-
ceived 20 members into the Christian
brotherhood.
| The missionary himself is splendid
selection for the work. Winning high
rank at Bowdoin in the COS, he felt 1t his
| duty to work among the fisher-folk he
had grown to know and love among his
early pastorates. A stalwart. genial soul
possessed of a faculty Of never giving I'll
a problem, no matter how dscouraging
with a kindly eye and broad, frank
/ hearty smile, he is eminently fitted tc
cope with the many problems of the
coast.