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Canary Island

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 16, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 20.

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Canary Island

By B. B. ALDRICH

B. B. ALDRICH
AFTER a delightful voyage from New York to England, a pleasant week in London, and a rather rough though safe voyage from Liverpool to the Canaries, on the morning of Dec. 10, 1911, our boat glided into the picturesque and quaint harbor of Las Palmas, on the island of Gran Canaria, in the Canary group. The Canaries consist of seven large islands, belonging to Spain, lying between the twenty-sixth and twenty-ninth parallels of north latitude, the island farthest east being about seventy miles from the African coast. They are spread over a large area, about 300 miles by 100 miles, and contain a land surface of about 3,500 square miles, with a population of about 350,000, largely found in cities and villages. The islands are of volcanic origin, and are rugged and mountainous, some peaks on Gran Canaria rising to an altitude of 6,000 feet above sea-level, while in Teneriffe some are much higher, the celebrated cone Pico de Teyde rising 12,192 feet above sea-level, and covered for a large part of the year with snow and ice. Almost any climate desired is to be found on the island of Teneriffe, and nearly all the products of the temperate zone, as well as some of the tropics.
We began to look around for a healthful location for workers from the disease-stricken West Coast of Africa, where they may come and rest and get strong and well again. After looking over the more elevated districts of Gran Canaria and making a trip to Teneriffe, about fifty miles west, we finally chose the latter island as a location for the mission home, and decided to go there as soon as possible. Accordingly, on Jan. 2, 1912, we sailed for Santa Cruz de Teneriffe, and the next day made our choice of some houses that we had seen in the ancient city of La Laguna, about 3,000 feet above sea-level and about five and one-half miles from port.
An electric tramway connects La Laguna with the seaport Santa Cruz, and the trip, which requires about forty-five minutes, is exceedingly picturesque. As one winds round up the mountainside, the view of the capital city of the Canaries and its beautiful harbor and the razor-ridged mountains to the north of Santa Cruz, is a sight long to be remembered for its beauty. La Laguna was, until 1821, the capital of the province. In that year the seat of government was removed to the seaport, where reside the consuls of different nations and the governor and officials.
The province is divided into two districts. Santa Cruz is capital of the whole province, and also of the western district; Las Palmas of the eastern district. La Laguna is the center for education, having the large school Instituto de Canarias and several others. It is the center religiously as well, being the headquarters of the bishop of the province, who has more influence with the people than has any other man in the province. There are several large churches, a great cathedral, and a school for priests here in La Laguna. Many retired families reside here, and during the warm season most of the wealthier class from Santa Cruz, and the city becomes a great center of social life and activity. It is in the most productive and fertile section of the islands, in a basin among the mountains where one gets the fresh sea-breezes from the east as well as the winds from the west over the lower section of Teneriffe. The climate is quite bracing, especially nights and mornings. From any of the mountains near by one gets a most beautiful view of the coast, as well as of La Laguna, the surrounding green wheat-fields making a beautiful contrast with the white houses and earth-colored walls of the city, and with the white peak of Teyde, about twenty-five miles distant. In this beautiful place God has given us a location for a home for workers.
We have been here about three months. Brother and Sister T. M. French, on their way back to Sierra Leone, West Africa, made us a good visit; and shortly after they left, we were pleased to greet Brother and Sister W. H. Lewis, also from Sierra Leone, who came here to seek rest and recuperation. They have been with us for about four weeks, and the climate seems to agree with them, as they are improving in health.
From the appropriation made to this field, we shall soon have our little home quite well equipped with simple appliances for helping our missionaries coming from the West Coast. God has given us the use of a new house with seven living-rooms, well-lighted and ventilated, as a temporary home; and in many ways we recognize his leading hand in our coming here.
Already we have circulated a goodly number of the Spanish tract “El Secreto de la Salud” among the people of La Laguna, and while doing so, we have had some interesting experiences. One day last week I was privileged to meet a priest, who examined the little tract to see if it contained Bible references, and failing to find any, purchased the tract. I had a good talk with him, in which the Spirit of God helped me, and I trust made a good impression upon him. We have been able to gain entrance to some well-to-do Spanish homes. I have had interesting talks with some influential people of La Laguna, in which God has given me opportunity to state our faith and the reasons for it. Our landlord has been over to study the Bible with us. Last Friday evening he came, and I had an interesting talk with him, in which he said he knew the adoration of images to be nothing but idolatry and a violation of the second commandment. He also said that he could not believe in Catholicism, although baptized into the church, and expressed a doubt about the priests being just in keeping the Bible from the people. We pray that God may influence him and others to take their stand with the remnant people. This past week has been holy week,and there have been beautiful processions of images through the streets, intended to inspire worship and adoration in the minds of the people. The power of the enemy is great here in the islands, but the power of our God is greater, for the Word says, “He taketh up the isles as a very little thing.”
Pray for us, that the Spirit of God may go before us, and may also water the seed sown, that fruit may be seen from the work here in Teneriffe.
La Laguna, Teneriffe.