Merseyside Bottle Evangelists
I quote freely from a pamphlet-tract of theirs titled
dated November 1962, written by the Merseyside Bottle
Evangelists.
"The bottle missionary work began in 1948, after Irish
businessman, Mr. J.J. Gilpin, of Bangor, visited a Brethren meeting in
Liverpool.
He brought with him a sample message bottle and asked the men at the
gathering if they would take up this work. A gross of suitable bottles
was ordered and the little band began their task of spreading the
Gospel, little realizing it would prove so successful."
"With the cartons of bottles for dispatch to the deeps go letters
from Mr. Rees to the casting sailors, asking them to return data of
the times and positions they were in when the bottles were hurled to
the waves to start their long voyages carrying the Word to the
far-flung corners of the earth."
"Each bottle, sown like a seed in the deep by Christian officers
and men on ships of all nations sailing from Merseyside, contains
'a message from God'- the Gospel verse 'For God so loved the world...'
printed in nineteen languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Japanese,
Russian, Burmese, and Zulu."
"When these 'seeds' take root and bloom, as they so often do in
the minds of finders everywhere, a little group of men in Liverpool
are overjoyed because their labours are bearing fruit.
Twelve in all under organizer and correspondent, Mr. Robert M. Rees,
Liverpool, they belong to the Plymouth Brethren."
"The only organization in England doing this work, which is
entirely voluntary, the Bottle Evangelists have been instrumental
in the casting of about 65,000 bottled messages into the seas since
September, 1948, up to July, 1962."
"Some 5,500 (approximately) replies have been received.
Stacks of correspondence, with enough foreign stamps to make a small
boy philatelist pop-eyed, and letters in many languages, all filed by
Mr. Rees, testify to the success of the work."
"Translation presents no difficu1ty to these men. The proprietors of a
Chinese laundry near to Mr. Rees' home translate some letters. Arab,
Indian and other foreign cafe managers and customers in the city offer
their help, too. His nephew, Mr. George Cross, a linguist, has also
lent invaluable aid."
"The letters are carefully sifted and those writers who are really
interested are sent the Bibles and literature they ask for, in the
cause of converting others in their lands."
"Organizer Robert Rees is a retired machine attendant. Aged 67,
broad-shouldered and grey-haired, he was one of the toughest seamen
who ever put to sea under sail of the four-masted barque 'Wander' many
years ago."
"On the appeal of Commander E. G. Carre, editor of a magazine for the
Merchant Service Officers' Christian Association, he volunteered to
carry the Gospel to men on ships which called at the Mersey ports and,
as the Garston representative, he took his Bibles and tracts aboard
the vessels."
"In 1932, Bob became converted- in Valparaiso of all places- and came
to live in his home town, Liverpool, two years later. He is married."
No matter who you are |
Another section of the pamphlet was addressed to
"The account you have just read is a copy of an article which
appeared in one of Britain's leading newspapers, describing the work
of 'Bottle Evangelism,' an effort to spread the gospel of God's
saving grace to all parts of the world. I have no doubt you, like many
other people, express surprise on having this unique method of
preaching brought to your notice, how God is using this simple way of
telling of His Love for lost guilty sinners, and of the wonderful
results, as seen by the many letters received from 'finders' in far
off strange lands and scattered islands the world over, many changed
lives being known to us."
"Did you notice the first word in the caption under the picture?
'CAST.' For a few moments I would beg of you to continue reading,
whilst I endeavour to bring before you the deep significance of the
word CAST.
"It is for you, my dear reader to consider this matter NOW, for
the invitation is sent out and extended in love to you. Allow me to
quote the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, 'Him that cometh unto me, I
will in no wise CAST out,' John 6:37. Are you perplexed and fearful of
what the future will hold for you if you make this choice and take the
step? Listen to the words of comfort given to all who believe in Him
as their own personal Saviour 'CASTing all your care upon HIM, for He
careth for you,' I Peter 5:7. Is it not grand to know His promise is
given in Micah 7:18, 'Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth
iniquity... he retaineth not his anger for ever... because he
delighteth in mercy... he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt
cast all their sins into the depth of the sea.' Not to float around
for a period and then to be brought to our remembrance, NO- forever
out of sight."
"This is the wonderful story of God's Love, that He is willing to
remember your sins and iniquities no more, for He gave His only
begotten Son to pay the price on the Cross of Calvary, for your sins,
as it is written 'Christ died for our sins,' I Cor. 15:3, that
whosoever, and this means you, are fully forgiven."
"This is God's gospel good news, my reader, will you give it your
most earnest consideration NOW? The other side of the picture is
indeed terrible to contemplate, for it is also scriptural TRUTH. 'As
it is appointed unto man once to die, after this the Judgment'
(Hebrews 9:27) which is written for our learning and warning. In
Rev. 20: 11-15 we have brought before us the scene of that judgment,
Oh my unsaved reader, listen while I quote God's Own Word- Take Heed,
'I saw a great white Throne... and I saw the dead small and great
stand before God... and whosoever was not found written in the book of
life, was CAST into the lake of fire,' Oh! be warned by these few
words."
"Why not accept the message of the bottle, as many others have
done in simple faith. 'For God so loved the world that He gave His
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish,
but have everlasting life.' John 3:16."
"If you desire any help on this most important matter which
concerns your eternal destiny, write to us as many have already done
and been helped with literature and counsel, and we shall be very
happy to enlighten you to understand more clearly how to 'CAST your
burden upon the LORD,' Psalm 55:22."
We read in God's Word, 'Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt
find it after many days,' Ecc. 11:1. This is our special joy in
service- to CAST the bottle-messengers on the seas, praying that He
will direct them to those who know not the Gospel, BUT before this
can be done, it is absolutely essential to make complete change in our
way of living, to make a choice as to whom we will serve, i.e. to cast
our lot in to follow HIM who said 'Follow Me, and I will make you
fishers of men.'
Matt. 4:19."
"Right now, out there in the ocean waves, the brave bottles are
riding the crests".
"Someone, somewhere, on Mull or Madagascar, will be waiting for
the word that will dash up on rock, sand, mud, or shingle in a flurry
of foam."
On June 16, 1987, a letter was written to me (Kraig Rice) by
Hugh B. McGowan, the United Kingdom Director of World Christian
Ministries, a Christian Bible smuggling ministry. He wrote me from
Merseyside, England with this information:
"Dear Brother, Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Many thanks for your letter and the insight into your ministry in the
spread of the gospel.
Unfortunately, I have the sad news to report, after inquiry, that the
Merseyside Bottle Evangelists of Liverpool are not longer in
operation. Most of the brothers who were exercised in this work are
now with the Lord.
It gives me a personal delight to hear of your Ministry as I was
involved in this kind of work after I was saved. I did a lot of
voluntary work in putting tracts into bottles and sealing them for
Christian sailors to take to sea. Our organization was in the City of
Belfast where I was born and raised, and the name of the Organization
was 'The Printed Page.' That work also came to an end because, like
Liverpool, the shipping became less and less. Many of our wonderful
once thriving ports are virtually at a standstill as far as shipping
is concerned.
May the Lord bless you in your Ministry and when I hear any further
news I will be in touch.
Yours Sincerely in the Master's glad service,
Hugh B. Mc Gowan."
BREAD ON THE WATERS (BOW): Our web address is www.breadonthewaters.com
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