Missionary Sacrifice

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 7, 1915

Missionary Sacrifice

THE sacrifice which some of our workers make in responding to the call of the Master is pathetically told by Sister E. A. Curdy, of Haiti. Under date of September 20, she writes from that island as follows:—

“Nearly a year has passed away since our landing here in Haiti. We have not satisfied the request of some of our friends in the States to give them news of ourselves and our field of labor through the REVIEW.

“For the first three months, my husband gave a series of well-attended lectures in a hall rented for the purpose. These meetings created a great interest and promised a rich harvest. Unfortunately, the work was suddenly cut off by the bloodiest revolution the island has ever known. Many persons had to flee to the mountains for the preservation of their lives, and we witnessed scenes of want, suffering, and death. However, our efforts have not been in vain; the interest goes on, and will fully revive when peace shall reign again. American soldiers are now patrolling the streets, and putting the town in order.

“An unspeakable sorrow has just smitten us. Our hearts are crushed, but we are looking heavenward, praying for the Master to strengthen our hands for the work of his harvest. Clark, our eldest son, a bright, beautiful, strong boy of ten, now rests in the quaint cemetery of Cape Haitien, in the shadow of a green mountain, with the bright blue sea at its foot. Here he lies awaiting the hour when the sky shall be brightened with the glory of the coming of the Lord. He was stricken with intestinal fever on Sabbath, September 4, and passed away ten days later. In the evening twilight, dark clouds rolled down the mountain; a few drops of rain fell—oh! just a few—like tears from heaven. Then the clouds suddenly cleared up, and the life of our boy had passed away.

“Our hearts bleed, but if European mothers can give their children to the bloody battle fields, why should not I rejoice that my son fell on the field of honor and duty as a brave little missionary of the cross?

“Just before his illness he put his trunk, small library, and his boyish treasures in perfect order, as though preparing for an absence. He was incited to study by his great desire to become a medical missionary, and he talked with enthusiasm of the days when he would attend college in Washington.

“Dear Clark has well done the work the Lord required, and has fallen asleep. His influence has been a blessing to us, and we, his weeping parents, will endeavor to reap the good fruits of his sweet life. In the resurrection, we will clasp him to our hearts again.

“We were too sorrowful for a set funeral service. Elder Prieger read part of John 14, and my husband brokenly offered prayer, which was concluded by the Lord’s prayer. One stanza of “Mon Dieu, Plus Près de Toi” [“Nearer, My God, to Thee”] was sung to close the service.

“We now leave for Port de Paix to establish a school for the training of native school-teachers and Bible workers. I shall teach English, and Mr. Curdy will take charge of the other departments.

“We asked the Lord to teach us to like Haiti, and he beautifully answers our prayers. The fields are white, the harvest is ready, but the reapers are few. Haiti now has a warmer place in our hearts because of the sacred spot where our boy sleeps. The kind sympathy of the people here has been a comfort. They manifested great devotion in trying to alleviate our suffering. A doctor never showed a more loving interest in a patient than did the doctor who attended our boy. It is with eagerness, therefore, that we participate in the rescue work of Haiti.

“Friends, please write to us, addressing Port de Paix, Haiti.”

This message, we know, will call forth many prayers, not only for the bereaved workers, but for Haiti as well, upon the altar of whose need a strong young life was sacrificed.