A Quarterly Meeting in Cuba by Estelle Ketring-Snyder

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 18, 1909

A Quarterly Meeting in Cuba

By Estelle Ketring-Snyder

It is now three years since it was our first privilege to have a part in a meeting of this kind in Cuba.

At our first quarterly meeting three years ago, we were a little company of twelve—all Americans, not one Cuban in the room, nor, to our knowledge, a single Sabbath-keeping Cuban on the island. Yet at this last meeting there were twenty persons present; not including ourselves, all Cubans, fifteen of whom are walking in the light, and have been baptized. Our hearts were made glad to see three new converts, all adults, go forward in baptism at this meeting. These were all wives; the husbands of two hope to be ready for this ordinance at the next quarterly meeting. We are not hasty in urging them to take this step. Before it is performed, they must have accepted Christ as their Saviour, have kept the Sabbath for at least several months, have given up tea, coffee, and tobacco (both men and women find this the hardest test), have had their domestic relations straightened out, also have laid off their ornaments, and be paying their tithe. Are they not examples to many of our American brethren?

At least an hour before the appointed time they began to come; some came a distance of twenty miles, some from points nearer. The Sabbath-school first held its session, and then the meeting changed. After the examination of candidates, and remarks appropriate to the occasion, the whole company quietly walked to a near-by pool in a running stream, sheltered by tropical growth, and the solemn ordinance of baptism was performed. All was done in perfect order, without disturbance of any kind.

It is not many years ago that this could not have been done; for in the days of Spain’s rule, Protestant gatherings of any kind would not have been permitted. Thus we see God’s hand in opening Cuba’s door to the message, and we are none too early in entering. Our only regret is that it was not done earlier.

On their return from the water, a social meeting was held. There was no waiting for one another; each told of battles lost or victories won; each determined to press onward, and asked one another’s prayers, that the Holy Spirit might guide. One, a little girl of twelve, whose family oppose her, thanked the Lord that she was still allowed to remain with the new Sabbath-keeping family where she has been for several years, although her father threatens to take her away from them.

The ordinance of humility then followed, all taking part; and after the emblems of the Lord’s table had been solemnly partaken of, the meeting closed, having lasted from 10 A. M. to 5 P. M., broken only by the going to and from the water for baptism, yet there was no sign of restlessness or fatigue on the part of any one present.

We do not hold a regular business meeting, but at each quarterly service, two envelopes are given to each individual—one for tithe, and one for offerings, which are returned the next quarter. On this occasion over thirty-six dollars, American money, was brought in by the Cuban people alone. This may not seem much to some who will read this, but we know it means a strictly honest tithe on the part of many of them. The little twelve-year-old sister brought her envelope; she earns nothing, so could only bring an offering of pennies given her, saying, as she did so, “Este es para la obra del Señor” (This is for the Lord’s work). So we see it is the same spirit in all lands and in all languages that actuates the honest ones when they have received the truth. While results do not develop rapidly, they do come steadily, and we have learned not to “despise the day of small things.”

ESTELLE KETRING-SNYDER.

Marianao, Cuba.