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Bonacca

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 26, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 52.

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Bonacca

By F. E. CARY

THE island of Bonacca is situated off the coast of Spanish Honduras, and is under Spanish control. It is about twelve miles long, and from two to four miles wide. The population, English and Spanish, numbers from two hundred to four hundred.
We have over one hundred Sabbath-keepers here, all English, I believe, who formerly came from Grand Cayman. The work was begun on this island about twenty years ago, by Elder F. J. Hutchins and others. Some time ago an industrial school was started, high on a mountain, but it has been discontinued, on account of scarcity of scholars, and for other reasons. I am teaching the only church-school in Bonacca, at present. It is held in our church here at North-east Bight. Our attendance has ranged from twenty-five to twenty-nine. The children are all very anxious to learn, and generally have excellent lessons. Their Bible lessons are well learned, and hundreds of texts are stored away in their memories. Some time ago my school was stopped by the Spanish government. But on appealing to the governor in person, I received permission to continue it.
Our Young People's Society is doing well. The young people are doing nobly, and gaining many victories. Some who have been unruly in school have made apologies, and are doing better.
In September Elder E. L. Cardey held a Sabbath-school convention at Ruatan. We considered our work as a whole in this field, and many new plans were laid — some for churches, some for schools, and others for a future camp-meeting. God has blessed the work of Elder Cardey in this field. Besides raising up one church at Mongrove Bight, more than a score of persons have been baptized here and at the Lower Cays. Some stiff opposition was met at the Cays, as meetings were in progress. But we know that the Lord has his way in the whirlwind and storm; and if we but trust him at all times, we shall hear the still, small voice saying, “This is the way, walk ye in it.” F. E. CARY.