One day I recall saying to the servant in charge of the branch office: “Have you ever thought of witnessing to the men who sail in ships?” “I think it would be a good idea,” he replied. “Give it a try and let me know how you get on.” Well, I did just that, commencing in 1946 when my wife and I resumed the pioneer ministry.

Since that time the ships have constituted my chief field of labor. I made it my business to study the ways of ship life and how I must speak and act so as to obtain a welcome for the Kingdom message aboard ships. I found it necessary to obtain two passes from the shipping authorities, and these entitled me to go on board “all ships at all times.” To date I have been privileged to witness on more than 12,000 ships of all nationalities, and the work becomes daily more interesting.

It has been a pleasure to observe the fruitage of this service. I know of several seamen who have become dedicated servants of Jehovah. Others accept the literature readily, and then on the next trip there is further discussion, perhaps even a Bible study started. The approximate quantities of Bibles and Bible literature that I have placed with men on ships since 1948 have been 6,000 clothbound books, 6,000 booklets and 20,300 magazines. Surely a mountain of testimony!

A FRUITFUL FIELD

Back in my assignment now, I am having some wonderful experiences among sailing men. I often think of how Jesus, too, had a lot to do with men familiar with boats, even selecting some of his apostles from among such. In one instance I had placed the book From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained with one man, and as I returned after two or three weeks and was walking up the gangway he called out: “George, you’re just the man I want to see. That was the most interesting book I ever read. I want to see how many more you have like it.”

Another man who received the Paradise book from me said, when I called back: “When I read that book I knew I had found the truth. It fully convinced me. I want other books that will help me to do God’s will, that I may gain life.”

Still another who had been taking books and magazines for some eighteen months said: “George, if I don’t go on to the point of doing God’s will and dedicating my life to him, I know I will end up with this old system of things in destruction.” He then inquired how he could do witnessing like I did on board ship. I advised him to keep a small literature supply in his cabin and speak to the men during lunch hours or at other free times. Now he has taken three months’ leave so as to study and dedicate his life to God before returning to his ship.

There are at least three chief stewards who are interested and who invite me to partake of their hospitality each time their ships berth here. One captain regularly takes the magazines and is always happy to have me as his guest. Some I have contacted have even kept in touch by correspondence. These experiences we have keep reminding me of the words recorded at Ecclesiastes 11:1: “Send out your bread upon the surface of the waters, for in the course of many days you will find it again.” It seems so applicable when one keeps in mind that “waters” in the Scriptures are often symbolic of “peoples.”