West Indies by Mrs. W. A. Sweany

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Dec 5, 1907

West Indies

By Mrs. W. A. Sweany

MT. ROSE, ST. PATRICK, GRENADA.—August 17 we dedicated our little church building here. That was a good day in the experience of our little company. We met at nine o’clock in the morning, and at our first service in the church we dedicated the building to the Lord. We also consecrated ourselves and our all anew to the service of the Master. It seems to me it was the best meeting I ever attended. It lasted till twelve o’clock, although no one realized it was so late. Once Mr. Sweany thought he would close, and provide for another meeting. But he could not: each one pressed in with a testimony of praise and thanksgiving.

Quite a number not of our faith, men of the world, were present, and seemed to take a deep interest in the exercises. As their hearts were made tender by the influence of the Lord’s Spirit, tears flowed freely. They were “almost persuaded,” but are waiting for a more “convenient season.” What a sad day for all such when once they awake to the fact that they have tarried too long, and that they are forever shut out of the kingdom!

I must tell you of one little incident of that day which moved to tears every one present. One little East Indian woman, who is such an earnest, consecrated person as we do not often meet, feels a burden for her brothers and sisters, and especially for her oldest brother. He is a wicked man in every sense of the word. However, he was present at the meeting, and she in her testimony spoke of her love for him, and her longing to see him saved. She then turned to him, and between her sobs, implored him to yield to the Lord, before it was too late. It was a scene that would melt a heart of stone. Many wept aloud; he bowed his head in his hands and wept like a child. O that all could forever cast off the shackles of sin, and be free in Christ Jesus!

Perhaps you may be interested to know more of this sister’s experience. She is the mother of sixteen children, nine of whom are living. She does all their sewing, washing, and general work, labors in the garden, and now and then works by the day, on an estate, for which she receives twenty cents. She heard and accepted this message, and was filled with a longing desire to learn to read for herself from the Bible. So after we moved here, she asked me to teach her. Her husband ridiculed her, and her friends told her it would be impossible for one of her age to learn. But she was not so easily discouraged. Evening after evening, when her work was over, she came to me for her lessons. We used “Best Stories” for a lesson book, and she studied hard. In a short time she could read fairly well. How happy she was when she could read some from the Bible for herself! Now she can find her memory verses, and memorize them, and she takes great delight in doing this. This only shows how willing the Lord is to help those who will help themselves. If only those who have greater light and privileges would be as faithful, how much it would mean for this cause!

Our meetings were continued on Sunday, for the benefit of those not present Sabbath day. We had services at three and seven o’clock. The attendance was good. Appropriate songs and Scripture exercises helped to add to the interest. Then each evening during the week service was held. We feel that on the whole it was a profitable occasion, and we trust lasting good will be the result.

I quote from Volume VI, page 108, of the “Testimonies:” “Workers in new territory should not feel free to leave their field of labor till the needed facilities have been provided for the churches under their care. Not only should a humble house of worship be erected, but all necessary arrangements should be made for the permanent establishment of the church-school. . . . The school-room is needed just as much as is the church building. The Lord has persons to engage in the work of establishing church-schools as soon as something is done to prepare the way for them.”

In view of this and the great need before us, we do not feel free to leave this locality until we can leave a good school in operation. The schoolroom is all ready, and the children are waiting, but we have no teacher. We are earnestly seeking the Lord to help us find a teacher, and believe he will send us the much-needed help. [The Educational Department of the General Conference is seeking to secure a teacher at once for this place.—Ed.] The waiting seems a bit tedious, when we are so anxious to move on and open up the work in another field. But we are not waiting in idleness. We are working, doing with our might what our hands find to do. We have adopted the plan of the second tithe for the support of the teacher, and one of our members pledges $2.40 a month. The children are all anxious to get into our own school; they do not want to go to the public school.

Our company is increasing little by little. Five are to be baptized this quarter, and some others must wait and be more fully instructed.

We still make our regular trip through the island once each month, distributing literature, visiting the people, and studying with interested persons. These trips are very wearing; but they enable us to come in contact with the people, and to sow the precious seeds of truth, and we hope for a bountiful harvest as the result. Three schoolmasters live out six miles from one of the towns we visit. My husband walks out there each month, and has some interesting talks and studies with them. They see the truth, and love to read our books and papers, and we trust these long tramps over the mountains, in the hot sun, will be a means in the hands of God of helping them to make a right decision.

We work hard, and yet enjoy such health that it is a constant source of astonishment to the people here. What a privilege to be connected with a people to whom the Lord has given so much light in regard to health principles! We are having a real feast in the study of “Ministry of Healing,” and feel sure that this book is going to prove a great blessing to our poor people.

The natives here are very superstitious. They are afraid of water, “night air,” etc. When the bedroom floor is scrubbed, the occupant of the room goes to other apartments for three nights, for fear of taking cold, because of the damp floor. At night they close every door and window; and if there happens to be a little crack anywhere, they stuff it with rags, to keep out the “deadly night air.” In all such foolishness the doctors encourage them. They think that if one were to eat oranges when he is warm, it would give him leprosy. After one has ironed even a few pieces, she must not venture out the remainder of the day. And so I might go on at almost any length, telling of their peculiar ideas. It is exceedingly difficult for them to break from them. But gradually, as they study the Word of God and become more enlightened, these superstitions are dropped, and after a time they look back and laugh at what they once believed.

This is a difficult field. It takes a great deal of hard, patient effort, to search out the honest hearted. But they are worth looking for, and by the help of the Lord we mean to do a thorough work. We have so persistently sown the island with the precious seed that we hope that when we start in another place, it will not take so long to develop a company. The Lord has enabled us to break down, or live down, the prejudice, and has given us warm friends throughout the island. We believe our stay here has not been in vain, and that our lives have had an influence for good over the people of this community. And what more can we ask—just to be instruments in the hands of God to help along his work in the earth? We are eagerly looking forward to the time when we shall be able to open the work elsewhere.

We are of good courage. We love this work. It is our very life, and we are doing all we can to help finish it. We want to stay “in the front” till the victory is won. We long for the coming of our Saviour, and so are doing all we can to hasten the day of his appearing. We pray for those at the head of the work who have heavy responsibilities resting upon them.

MRS. W. A. SWEANY.