Voodooism in Haiti by W. J. TANNER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 3, 1910

Voodooism in Haiti

By W. J. TANNER

The gospel was given for the express purpose of saving those who are downtrodden and degraded by sin, and it is answering its purpose here in Haiti. Morality here is at a very low ebb. For example, a man's importance in the eyes of his fellow beings may be accurately estimated by the number of concubines he is able to keep. Except in the case of the few Protestants, it is a rare thing to find a man who is living with but one wife. It would appear that this fact would greatly hinder our work. However, although about seventy-five per cent of our members are men, we have had little difficulty with this problem. This I attribute to the fact that reverence for the law of God has such a conspicuous part in all our evangelical work. If the people know nothing else about us, they do know that we honor the ten commandments, and they are not slow to come to the conclusion that if they accept the gospel, they must not only keep the Sabbath, but also change their standard of morality in other respects. Therefore, none come to us but those who are willing to make the sacrifice, and up to the present the sacrifice has always been made; the concubines are put away, and family affairs adjusted without our speaking about it.

Another thing that has a very conspicuous place in the life of these people is voodooism, which was introduced from Africa by the slaves who were brought here in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Roman Catholicism has had little influence over this relic of heathenism, except to modify some of its forms. The altar, for example, is much like those seen in Catholic churches, and the voodoo devotees have also adopted the cross. It was not until after living here two years, that I made this discovery. It was explained to me that the blue cross is the voodoo emblem, and is used to protect the faithful of the cult from evil spirits.

TENT-MEETING IN PROGRESS AT ST. CROIX, DANISH WEST INDIES

Voodooism, in its worship, in its sacrifices, and in its dance, is demoralizing and degrading in the extreme. It is simply a cunningly devised system of vulgar and obscene worship, whereby the enemy of righteousness succeeds, it would seem, in destroying all desire for truth, honesty, and virtue. Those who have never studied the workings of this vile cult can little understand the influence it has over the masses. It apparently blocks the way of the gospel to the hearts of all its votaries. Yet here, too, the third angel's message is admirably fitted to the needs of the missionary. The truths relative to man, his condition in death, the fall of Satan and his angels, and the fact that they can transform themselves into angels of light, all strike a death-blow at voodooism and all kindred beliefs. Without this precious truth I feel that our work for these people would be most discouraging. That we are making headway against such things as I have mentioned, should strengthen and encourage every child of God who reads these lines. Cape Haytien. W. J. TANNER.