"Fishing for Souls' explores the origins and development of fishermen's missions in Britain, focussing particularly on the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Stephen Friend establishes "an historical outline of the development of the churches' work among British fishing communities and explores why a mission specifically concerned with fishermen was not initiated until the industry entered a period of economic decline during the early 1880s. The factors relating to the development of British fishermen's missions are complex, involving not only social and technological changes inside and outside the fishing industry, but also changing theological perceptions that had a significant impact on attitudes to social conditions". With its honesty and objectivity, especially concerning developments that were difficult and painful for the fishermen's mission societies at the time, 'Fishing for Souls' reveals the magnificent work that the various societies did, and in some cases continue to do."--Provided by the publisher