It may be of some encouragement to the beginner engaged in the distribution of our literature, to hear the experience of a Christian Scientist on an ocean trip. The ship was joined at an intermediate port, and before the passengers returned from sightseeing the literature was placed invitingly in both first and second class music rooms and library. The next morning the first thing seen on coming into the music room was a man deep 'in a Journal, and on going out on deck there was a cheery good morning from another with a Monitor sticking out of his pocket. Later, after tiffin, a group of men at a small table were seen looking over a Monitor, and the following remark was overheard: "You had better get used to it, my friend, even if it is labeled 'Christian,' for it is the best paper America has;" and from another, "It's the only paper in the country, or in the world for the matter of that, which speaks 'the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.' "
After this the Scientist made a business of finding out the interests and inclinations of the different passengers, and then rising early, or during the afternoon siesta when no one was about, she would place near the usual seat of each one a Monitor open at an article or picture which dealt with something of particular interest to the person for whom it was intended. This plan proved successful, and the Monitor was read by all, often talked about, and the "Willy-Nicky" correspondence especially caused not a little amusement. Sentinels and Journals were filtered in by degrees as it was seen that the passengers were ready to read them. One evening a passenger came over to this Scientist with a Journal in his hand, and said: "Do you know anything about this Science? Have you read this? I am so interested I am going to buy the textbook they refer to so often." Opportunity was soon found to lend the inquirer a spare copy of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Since the next port was touched at on a Wednesday, the writer went ashore to attend the Wednesday evening meeting, but she did not go alone, and on the way back to the ship the influence of the literature was seen and felt in the eager earnestness and thankfulness expressed.
In the second class compartment this ship had only a few bound books locked in a case. There was absolutely no other reading matter, and very little more in the first class, beyond the usual library fiction.
