Hayti by U. Bender

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 2, 1908

Hayti

By U. Bender

LEAVING San Juan, Porto Rico, November 4, the morning of the seventh found our boat putting into the harbor at Cape Haytien. I landed about 8 A. M., and found Elder W. J. Tanner on the wharf, waiting for me. We spent one day in the Cape, visiting several men of influence who have become interested in the truth and are doing what they can to make it stand in a favorable light before the government and people.

Friday morning we boarded the train for Grande Rivière, distant about twenty miles inland, where we were to hold a general meeting. Brethren Fawer and Isaac, with a number of others, met us, and escorted us to the house rented for meeting purposes.

After paying our respects to the general in command of the militia of that part of the republic, we were free to meet all the friends, as they came in to give us the polite welcome, which has become a part of the life of the people of Hayti—from custom rather than feeling.

Beginning Friday night, we had meeting as often as opportunity would permit, until Sunday night. Sabbath morning I spoke to the people, and Brother Fawer interpreted. That afternoon Elder Tanner baptized five dear souls in the river, and returning to the place of worship, he conducted a good social meeting. Although I could not understand a word of what they were saying, I enjoyed the meeting very much. Sunday morning I spoke again to the people on the subject of organization. In the afternoon Elder Tanner laid before them the responsibilities as well as the privileges of each member of Christ's body. At the close of these remarks a church organization was formed, and officers were elected and ordained. The presence of the Lord was very manifest during the latter part of this service, and the members of this company, with the friends present, were impressed that everything connected with the service of God is holy. And so the first church representing this last message, was organized in Hayti, with a membership of twenty-five. There are several others to be added, and the membership will soon be forty. Let us pray that the work may be hastened, so that soon there may be in many places companies of believers growing up into church organizations. There are more than eighty Sabbath-keepers in Hayti at the present time, and the hearts of many people are becoming stirred to seek after truth.

Quite a number of brethren from other companies were present at this meeting. I think the believers in attendance

numbered more than fifty. Brethren Fawer and Isaac conducted the night services, presenting the general topics of present truth.

Elder Tanner, as his reports show, attributes the prosperous condition of the work in Hayti to the scattering of the printed page during the last twenty-eight years. This should be an encouragement to all, for if the Lord can use our books and papers in Hayti, shall we neglect to scatter them in the more favored fields?

Hayti is no easy place in which to work. Only the love for souls would keep one there. Of all the different fields in this union conference, I can say emphatically, Hayti is the least inviting. Is any land poverty stricken? Hayti more. Is any suffering from moral pollution? Hayti more. Do any feel the blighting, degrading effects of papal rule? Hayti more. One might go on through the whole catalogue of curses that rest upon the human race, and it will be found that poor Hayti is struggling under the burden of all. When I say conditions there politically, financially, and morally are terrible, you can only form an idea of what that word terrible means, by comparing it with the worst you know, and then you have not comprehended, unless you have been in and known Hayti.

This last message, which is to go to every nation, is the only hope of Hayti's sons and daughters. What a glorious light, as it breaks through the darkness that surrounds them! Many are responding to the light, and as these believers have multiplied, it has become apparent that we must have a little sanctuary in which to worship. The brethren in Hayti are very poor in this world's goods, and can not bear all the burden of acquiring this meeting-place.

While I was there, we located a very desirable property which could be obtained for about six hundred dollars. In their recent council, the union conference voted to raise funds with which to purchase this place. It will be a day of rejoicing in Hayti when this is secured. It will be our first property there. May God prosper the work until there shall be many more memorials erected for the truth.

Remember at the throne of grace those who have given their lives to the promulgation of the third angel's message in benighted Hayti. U. BENDER.