A Visit to Guadaloupe by Philip Giddings

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 30, 1908

A Visit to Guadaloupe

By Philip Giddings

PHILIP GIDDINGS

ACCORDING to the suggestion of the West Indian Union Conference Committee, I paid a visit to this island. Our boat, leaving after midnight, arrived at seven o’clock the next morning at Basseterre, the capital, a town of about seven thousand five hundred souls. I set down my parcels at the hotel, and started out, with a collection of tracts, to make acquaintances. Learning of a man who was preaching, I went in search of him, and found him one who, so far as I can tell, is converted to the Lord. He was very glad to see me, although on finding that I was a Seventh-day Adventist, he was sorry, as he did not adhere to any day, except as it might afford opportunity to speak to the people.

The next morning I left Basseterre, taking the coast boat to a village called Pointe-Noire, which has over seven thousand inhabitants. Here is a school-teacher who has been reading our literature. I spent five days with him. During the day different ones would call for instruction, when I would read the Bible to them. Many had never heard of or seen a Bible before.

On Sunday I obtained permission of the mayor to use La Place. Arriving there, I started to sing, and the people began to gather. Some, more cautious, stood off watching. By the time I had an audience, I took out my French Bible to read certain portions. At this time a French gendarme came up, and asked who gave me authority, and to show it. As I had only a verbal permission, he told me I would have to cease, but I might conduct the meeting in my room. The people seemed disappointed, and some followed me, and asked me to speak to them before my door, while they would stand on the street. This I was glad to do. So far as my own words and ability to use the language were concerned, I realized they were very feeble. But I put the burden on the Bible, and made it talk to the people. The next morning as I was visiting, an old lady living near La Place, called me in to sing for her. Leaving there, I was called to another home to pray.

I made several acquaintances here, distributed tracts, and took orders for the French Bible. I found a liberal-mindedness, an intelligence, and an ability to read and listen, that were surprising for a Catholic community. The Methodist minister, with whom I was

fellow passenger for Dominica had told me the same thing. He said he believed Guadaloupe was waiting and ready for Protestant effort.

From Pointe-Noire I came to Pointe-à-Pitre, the commercial capital, a city of over eighteen thousand souls. With funds so low in my pocket, I could not think of a hotel. But I had told the Lord to adjust conditions. So resting my parcels, I took my valise with tracts for the boulevard. I passed groups of men sitting in the cool shade of overspreading branches, I introduced myself as a Protestant missionary, and received a warm welcome. From group to group I passed on, distributing to those who seemed intelligent and appreciative of literature. When evening came, I had not decided where to lay my head, but an old gentleman came up, and said if his place were not so humble, he would have asked me home, but if I did not mind, he would be glad for me to go with him. I went. The following morning he took me around to several of his friends, saying to them, “Let the Protestant minister read you God’s word from the Holy Bible.” Like droughty land, so his heart and soul and mind thirsted for the water of the Word. He gave me no rest. I had to read to all his friends. Some were at work, and I thought discretion would dictate some other time; but the old gentleman would have no postponement, and so they had to stop and I had to read to them the Holy Bible. Thus day after day we went around to different persons, reading the Scriptures to his many friends.

Among those to whom he introduced me was the Secretaire General de la Bourse du Travail, who received me very kindly, and asked me to call again the next day at ten o’clock, when he would take me to the Depute de la France, and Conseiller General de la Guadeloupe. At the time appointed, I made this gentleman’s acquaintance. He was very affable, and was glad for my visit. He was entirely dissatisfied with religion as he saw it administered in his country. I handed him some French literature. He started to read, remarking, as he read, “This sounds right.” When I bade him good-by, he accompanied me to the door. Then he said to the secretary: “Tell the gentleman I have a large house, and plenty of beds in town; if he desires, he can occupy as long as he stays.” So I thanked him, and spent six days at his house. The housekeeper Isa. was as kind as her employer. When leaving, I offered her a few francs for her kindness, but she would not accept.

While there are French infidels, and these have influenced natives who have imbibed their sentiments, there is a large class besides, who, although they have lost faith in their religion, have not gone over to infidelity, but are waiting for the genuine gospel.

The general intelligence of the people, sharpened, some think, by their ardent love for politics; the school facilities, freed from all church embargo and meddling, have prepared a people who can read and reason. What the percentage of literacy is, I do not know; but it was my good fortune to meet scarcely a man in Guadaloupe who could not read, while the opposite is nearer true in Dominica.

It seems to me the time has fully come to carry this message to the eighteen thousand Guadaloupans—not that it will be all easy sailing: the church party may awake to keep their Diana. But despite Ephesian uproar, there can follow an Ephesian church.

In Guadaloupe school is kept on Saturday, the weekly holiday being Thursday. On Sunday the market-places and grocery stores, post-office, etc., are opened, and are closed with a ball at night.

The manners of the people are typically French—hat-raising, bowing, and suavities. I came short sometimes, when my old friend and guide would remind me. Not only the women, but the men friends, on meeting, kiss each other in French fashion, on both cheeks.

I have taken the names of several persons to whom I hope to send literature until some one shall go, which should not be long. We can use to good advantage any French literature—tracts, old periodicals, etc. Who will help us? The isles wait for his law. Isa. 42:4. Let them wait no longer. I am asked to visit Martinique also. Pray that the Lord will open the way speedily for the work to enter both of these French islands.