Harbor Island, Bahamas
By James H. Smith
The Lord has greatly blessed us in presenting the message in different settlements in which there are some who rejoice to hear the truths of God's Word. My family and I have been away from Nassau nearly all the time since the beginning of the year. We left the interests of the work there in the care of Sister Nelson, the school work being in charge of Brother and Sister Coffin. Sister Nelson is seeing some results from her Bible work among the people of the city, and the church is doing active missionary work. On leaving Nassau, we began work in a settlement called Gregory Town, on the island of Eleuthera, about fifty miles from Nassau. Here I held a series of meetings in the schoolhouse, and twelve are now keeping the commandments of God. They are not well off in worldly possessions, and some have had a severe struggle with the tobacco habit; but with the help of the Lord the victory has been won. The people can read a little, but are not in the habit of doing so, and have to be taught to read and study for themselves, so as to be able to stand. A brother of the Nassau church who is well acquainted with the truth, moved to Gregory Town for a time; and I was able to leave the work to quite an extent in his care while I went to another place. About six weeks ago we began meetings in the open air, which have been well attended, and already quite a number have expressed their determination to obey the law of God. This being next to the largest town in the colony, the interest soon grew beyond my ability to handle it, and we asked Sister Nelson to come from Nassau to help in the Bible work. People are accepting the truth, but it will take time to train them to the point where they can stand alone. The great problem will be to find leaders for these companies. Neither Sister Nelson nor I can remain with them long, as there are many settlements in which the message must be given. Our school is not yet developing workers, the pupils being all children. It gives us great joy to see these people break away from the old habits and religious ideas that have bound them, and start out in the service of God. Remember us in your prayers.