p. 14 | Central America by U. BENDER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 20, 1910

Central America

By U. BENDER

THE Central American Conference is made up of the republics of Guatemala, Salvador, Spanish Honduras, and the colony of British Honduras. The combined territory is about 105,000 square miles, with a population of over three millions. This conference held its annual session, June 16-26, at La Ceiba, a city of five thousand inhabitants, on the north coast of Spanish Honduras.

We had a profitable meeting, and I believe all who attended were glad they came. Elder N. V. Willess came from Texas last April to take charge of the work in this field, and was able to visit most of the churches and companies before the date set for the camp-meeting. This was a great help to the brethren, and they came up to the meeting with good courage.

We had a business meeting and a Bible study each forenoon. The afternoons were taken up with meetings for the young people and children, and talks on how to live, both spiritually and physically. We had no ministerial help from workers outside our conference; but Dr. A. J. Hetherington and wife arrived in La Ceiba from New Orleans, a few days before the meeting, and remained till the conference closed, rendering valuable assistance.

The night meetings were entirely given to such preaching as we would have in a regular tent-meeting where we were presenting the message for the first time. These night meetings were only the beginning of a regular series, which were continued after the close of the conference. The people of the town attended in good numbers, and gave attention to what was presented.

While in Central America, I visited the English school at Guatemala City. Brother and Sister W. E. Hancock are in charge of this school at present. After the camp-meeting I went into the interior of Honduras to visit the school which Brother Herbert Owen and his associates are endeavoring to establish at Siguatepeque. From Port Cortez on the north coast, Siguatepeque is one day by train and three days by mule. Leaving there for Colon, Panama, I went by the Pacific route, sailing from Amapala, the south port of Honduras, distant from Siguatepeque four or five days by mule.

Central America is a difficult field. It will require sacrifice and patience to gather the harvest. The climate is not the best, nor is it easy to travel about. U. BENDER.