St. Thomas, Danish West Indies
By H. C. J. WALLEKER
We have now been located here about eight months, and are thankful to our Heavenly Father for the many blessings bestowed upon us since coming to this place. Some have accepted the message, and are rejoicing in the new-found light. Others are now preparing for baptism. We have much opposition to meet from the ministers of other denominations, but we find that as they work hard against us, it only helps to make the truth shine brighter. English is the prevailing language, but so poorly spoken that when we first arrived, we could hardly understand the common people. We are, however, now becoming accustomed to their manner of speaking. The official language is Danish, but only a few of the natives can understand it. In St. Croix, Danish is more generally used. Some books have been sold there, but the truth has never been proclaimed in a public effort. We hope soon to go there, and hold tent-meetings. The General Conference has given us fifty dollars for a tent, to add to the money raised for this purpose at the Western Washington camp-meeting at Kent last year, although we have not yet received this. We see the great need of such a tent, as many of these islands are still waiting for God's law. We are anxious to begin the proclamation of the truth in some of these places where it has never been heard, but must first have a tent. We are working on the new addition to our church, which, when finished, will be a great help to our work here. Money comes in very slowly. If only the believers in the United States could know by personal experience the condition that the workers in foreign fields have to meet, how gladly would they give of their means to finish the work. The Spirit of God will direct hearts where to send their money. It is well to have it pass through the regular channels, however, so that the local conference can get the credit for it. I know if money is sent to the General Conference, and it is plainly stated where it is to go, that it will reach the field for which it is intended. Brethren, let us not be afraid to put our money into the cause; for the time is fast coming when it will be useless to us, and also too late to be of any use in saving souls. The people all through the West Indies are poor, and can do very little themselves toward building churches and schools; but we must have buildings of our own for the work here. No suitable buildings or halls for church or school work can be rented, so we must build. Material is very high in these islands, as it must all come from America or England. The cheapest rough lumber is forty-five dollars a thousand feet, and it is very poor at that. The average wage is thirty-three cents a day, while in most cases one must pay as much or more than in the States for food and clothing, so the people have very little to give. When we arrived here, we found the brethren had a church building, but far too small for our Sunday-night meetings. Then the school question came up, and we found the law required children to attend the public school on the Sabbath, so we at once decided that we must have a school of our own, but we must first have a building. We knew that it would cost no less than four hundred dollars to get what we needed. I have raised one hundred dollars here, and a little less than twenty-five dollars has been sent from the States. We have prospects of soon having a teacher to open our school, and we know it will be a great help in carrying the truth to the people. We expect a good class of students, and look for large results from this work. The Lord has impressed an experienced teacher to come to us, and we praise him for this. Our church-schools are an important factor in our work, both in the home land and in foreign fields. The Catholics have been awake to the importance of this work for a long time, and in most places we find them ahead of us. The best school here is conducted by them, and many Protestants must send to them for want of something better. I am glad that our people have begun to wake up to the importance of this work.