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Haiti

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 9, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 28.

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Haiti

By A. F. PRIEGER

A. F. PRIEGER
We wish to thank all the REVIEW family who thought of and prayed for us during the time of trouble we passed through on account of the war. I am sorry to say we are not all through with it yet, for from all reports the revolution is starting again. We have been here since November, 1912, and during this time Haiti has had three presidents. We often wonder what will come next. Right here where we are located is the seat of trouble. Had not the United States gunboat come here, there would have been a great deal of pillaging. Just as the pillaging began, the United States marines landed, and it all stopped instantly. At present some fierce fighting is going on eighteen miles from us, and it seems to have turned into a guerrilla warfare.
Our work has been hindered to a great extent, but we hope that we shall make up for lost time in the near future. Thus far, only two of our brethren have been drawn into these political movements, and they have learned a lesson. None of our people have lost anything thus far. The Lord has kept them in a remarkable way, and I believe it is chiefly due to the prayers of our brethren everywhere.
We had quite an exciting time when the revolutionists entered the city. The shooting was terrific. Bullets went everywhere, and the empty shells were lying on the streets so thick that the next day at 11 A. M. I still found sixteen empty cartridges. Only a few persons were killed or wounded, for the city was surrendered without resistance.
I have just bought a photo of a genuine voodoo priest, and the man that took the picture was exiled because he took it. Everybody here, from the peasant to the president, believes in these voodoo priests. I have never attended their feasts. Nothing would be gained by doing so; for strangers attending them see only the humorous and ridiculous side, and often leave with the impression that such a feast is only an innocent worship of an innocent and ignorant people. But those who are here longer find out that it is a very serious affair. These feasts are always in the dark hours of the night; and when I meet some of these voodoo worshipers, I feel that Satan's host is present. Invariably all of them are fatalists, and the most ignorant is fully convinced that he can some day be president of Haiti.