Canary Islands by B. B. ALDRICH

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 26, 1915

Canary Islands

By B. B. ALDRICH

B. B. ALDRICH

THE work here progresses slowly, and from the human standpoint is discouraging. Many seem to have become disgusted with religion of all kinds, and to have developed a sort of antipathy to it; and that is one reason why it is so difficult to labor in these islands. The Romanists are well content with their position, and resent any effort to lead them into new lines of belief, regarding any such attempt as an intrusion. However, we believe there are some honest souls here who will be saved in God’s kingdom.

Our work is almost entirely with the truth-filled books. The first of the year we began work in Las Palmas, the metropolis of the islands and the capital of Gran Canaria, with the health book, “Practical Guide to Health.” This is a very important port city. The steamship lines from Europe to South America and to South Africa cross here, and the coaling industry is carried on on an extensive scale. For this reason also the city has a decided metropolitan aspect, and more commercial activity is seen than in any other city of the archipelago. It is a rival of Santa Cruz de Teneriffe, which is the capital city of the islands. Since the first of the year we have planned to alternate between canvassing for the health book in the island of Gran Canaria and canvassing for the gospel books in Santa Cruz de Teneriffe.

In Las Palmas, with the blessing of the Lord, I have been able in five trips to take three hundred and fifty orders for the health book. On my list appear the names of lawyers, merchants, hotel men, priests, and the mayor. This month I have orders for about two hundred books to be delivered to the principal club, the chamber of commerce, the bishop of the eastern Canaries, and the mayor, as well as several priests. Truly the Lord has abundantly blessed in this important work, and we are grateful to him for his help.

We have had but few opportunities for Bible study with the people. I think a lady Bible worker here could do much more good in this line than we can do. However, on Sundays when I am in Teneriffe, I meet with some in Santa Cruz who seem to desire to learn the truth. Some of these are anxious to keep the Sabbath, but on account of the attitude of the head of the household have not yet seen their way clear. Others seem to want to learn, and we hope they are in earnest. I have been going each week while on this island, eight miles on foot to San Isidro, over a rough trail, to hold Sabbath school with some who have expressed a determination to keep the Sabbath. They seem to be in earnest, although they do not fully sense the sacredness of the truth. They have been so long without the light that it is slow work teaching them. Only by the Holy Spirit’s help can we ever do the work. The influences of Romanism are depressing and discouraging. Catholicism is seen here in its worst aspects and effects. However, we are of good courage, and believe we may yet see good results.