Ruatan, Bay Islands by Archippus W. Green

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1908

Ruatan, Bay Islands

By Archippus W. Green

ARCHIPPUS W. GREEN

Undoubtedly the readers of the good old Review will be glad to know something of the situation here. Ruatan is the name applied to our little isle, which is the center and largest of the six small islands located off the north coast of Spanish Honduras, in the Caribbean Sea. The first settlements were made here in the seventeenth century. Children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren have built around the old homesteads, thus making the little island present a beautiful aspect. The prevailing language being English, an American has no trouble in going among the people, though the spirit of the Spanish mañana (to-morrow) still exists. The inhabitants of the entire six islands are of negro descent, with the exception of a very few white people, and are all engaged in agricultural and commercial pursuits.

Many of the natives are industrious, having pleasant homes and large banana and cocoanut plantations; stock-raising is carried on to quite an extent, especially among the higher classes.

The scenery of the island is beautiful; on either side as far as the eye can distinguish, the margin of the sea is fringed with the mangrove trees, interspersed with clumps of cocoanut and cohoon trees, while ever and anon the full tide flows in white breakers up the shore. The climate is very pleasant indeed. Warm and tropical winds blow from February till September, while cold monsoons and chilling winds of the north blow from October till January.

This island can be called a land of beauty. Its fruits are abundant and very delicious, especially to the foreigners from cold climates. There are the bread-fruit, the pears of different varieties, the custard-apple, mango, limes, citron, tamarind, pineapple, orange, and cashew, while the months of May and June bring out many varieties of beautiful flowers.

The only mode of traveling is on horseback or in canoe, as trains, cars, and wagons are entirely unknown; while, from island to island, sloops and schooners are the only mode of conveyance, as steam-engines and gasoline launches are a thing of the future.

There are no large rivers; only here and there is found a stream or rivulet.

Of wild animals there were originally but three species—the deer, the rabbit, and the wild hog, which are hunted very much by the native, and are considered quite a table delicacy.

Birds of various species inhabit these islands. The most important are the yellow-head parrots, noted for their clear, musical voices and plain speaking. The seacoast and bays abound with fishes.

As one traverses the streets, he sees vice in its varied forms doing its deadly work among the people. Our hearts go out in pity for these our fellow men. Their condition calls to us as a Macedonian cry, “Come over and help us.” Who will answer with hearty response, “Here am I, send me”?

The work was started here by Elder Gibbs, who was succeeded by the late Elder F. J. Hutchins in the year 1894, and since that time has made steady progress. At the present time we have five churches among the islands, with over one hundred members.

What a work is there before the faithful watchmen of God, who must warn the nations of the coming perils of the last days! As faithful workers for God, we must bear a decided message to our fellow men. Souls are perishing in sin, and all must know the grand message ere he comes. We must not delay, but arise and gird on our armor, and step to the front with our face to the foe.