p. 16 | East Caribbean Conference by Philip Giddings

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 25, 1908

East Caribbean Conference

By Philip Giddings

At the meetings of the West Indian Union Committee held in conjunction with the West Caribbean Conference session in Trinidad, Port of Spain, Dec. 15, 1907, there were present L. E. Wellman, President; H. C. J. Walleker, Vice-president; Philip Giddings, Secretary; also J. Matthews, F. G. Lane, J. G. Dasent, W. D. Forde, and A. A. Clarke.

Being out of our territory of a voting constituency, no regular session of the conference was held. There were, however, council meetings relative to some plans of work for the coming year. The following were some of the resolutions adopted:—

That Mrs. L. E. Wellman be appointed Sabbath-school secretary of the conference.

That Mrs. P. Giddings be secretary of the Young People’s Work.

That our conference workers push the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons” to realize funds to apply to the West Indian Training-school; and to solicit subscriptions for the Caribbean Watchman.

That Brother A. A. Clarke be asked to connect with Elder F. G. Lane in tent work in the Leeward Islands.

St. Thomas, with adjoining islands, being so near the Porto Rican mission, it was advised that it connect therewith. This step was accordingly taken.

Since the return to their fields the workers have been sowing diligently, and here and there reaping some fruits. Brother F. G. Lane (Antigua) has baptized several, and has since gone to Montserrat, a neighboring island, to open up work. In St. Lucia, where Brother W. D. Forde is, thirteen were baptized recently. Poor as they are, they have decided to lay plans to build a church. One poor sister sold a house, and gave the greater part of the proceeds to the church fund.

In St. Vincent Brother J. G. Dasent reports eight baptized by Elder Wellman, with as many more being prepared for the rite. In Dominica, we are still at our church building, which is now nearing completion. We have necessarily gone on slowly, having at times to stop, pray, and wait for funds. Up to date it has cost us $559.05. Small as this may seem to our brethren, it represents much labor and sacrifice. Our carpenter, Brother Thomas Mass, formerly a Catholic, worked steadily on the church for months, and refused any remuneration.

I have not much to report in evangelistic lines. One little Catholic girl, who has been attending our services for some time, came for her music lesson, looking sad. Mrs. Giddings asked her what was the matter. She said her mother was going to take her to the Catholic Church for her first communion, but she did not want to go. We knew we could do nothing, so we asked the Lord to help the child, and change the mother’s purpose. The Sunday came; but the mother, instead of taking the child to the Catholic Church, came with her to our meeting that Sunday night. At the close of the meeting, she thanked us for what we were doing for her child.

A lady who was interested in the Sabbath question was given by her minister a paper published somewhere in the Southern States in which was an article against Seventh-day Adventism and Mrs. White. The truths of healthful living, dress and diet reform, etc., were all mangled. I was passing when she called me to read and explain. When I finished, she said, “They gave me that paper to prejudice me against the Sabbath; but the seventh day is the Sabbath day, and I will keep it.” She has been faithful since.

The teacher of the government school has been with us for four Sabbaths. She is convinced, as are also her mother and father. They have not fully identified themselves yet, though they have come to meetings. We are praying that they may follow fully.

A few Sundays ago two Catholic converts went with me to a village to have a meeting. Drunken men and women, boys and girls, surrounded us, and made such noise and confusion that we could not speak to them. I have planned to visit them again, and get, if possible, some of our literature among the few intelligent and reading ones. So few read, and some understand so little of what they do read. We ask the prayers of our brethren and sisters.

PHILIP GIDDINGS.