The establishment of Bethels in most of our own seaports, and in
many foreign ports frequented by our vessels, where the gospel is
regularly preached and the opening of "Sailors' Homes," which I have
before mentioned, where there are usually religious services and other
good influences, are doing a vast deal in this cause. But it is to
be remembered that the sailor's home is on the deep. Nearly all his
life must be spent on board ship; and to secure a religious
influence there, should be the great object. The distribution of
Bibles and tracts into cabins and forecastles, will do much toward
this. There is nothing which will gain a sailor's attention sooner,
and interest him more deeply, than a tract, especially one which
contains a story. It is difficult to engage their attention in mere
essays and arguments, but the simplest and shortest story, in which
home is spoken of, kind friends, a praying mother or sister, a
sudden death, and the like, often touches the heart of the roughest
and most abandoned. The Bible is to the sailor a sacred book. It may
lie in the bottom of his chest, voyage after voyage; but he never
treats it with positive disrespect.
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