Haiti by W. JAY TANNER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 22, 1908

Haiti

By W. JAY TANNER

W. JAY TANNER

IN our report that appeared in the REVIEW of May 21 we mentioned the fact that to offset the effects of our literature the Catholics have begun the publication of a monthly journal here at Cape Haitien. In the August number of this publication, The Bulletin Paroissial, on the first page, under the heading Avis Important [Important Notice], appears the following notice, or rather commandment, printed in italics: “A quantity of literature in which the Catholic faith is attacked is being circulated among us, such as Les Signes des Temps and brochures of an anti-Catholic propaganda. Our readers know that these writings are not for them, and that they must not read them or keep them in their houses. Their duty in this matter is well established. It is forbidden that Catholics read any religious writings except those that are approved by the bishop.”

Readers of the REVIEW will recognize in Les Signes des Temps, thus placed upon the episcopal index of Haiti, our French Signs of the Times. This paper, and the brochures in question, have been making their impression. The priests have been endeavoring to respond to them for more than two years by the publication of leaflets attacking our views. Their methods have been those always employed by the enemies of truth,—assumption, confusion of the real issue, misapplication of the Scripture, ridicule , and misrepresentation.

Generally speaking, our policy has been to keep at our work of sowing the seed, paying no attention to these attacks. However, one of our native brethren issued a short series of tracts on his own responsibility, in which he well defended our faith. In fact, the curé to whom he responded directly, wrote him a letter in July inviting him hereafter to continue the question in private correspondence rather than by means of “open letters,” as he (the curé) did not think the discussion was very interesting or very profitable to the people.

Besides this, the editor of Les Signes des Temps has caused to appear in that useful journal a series of strong articles in response to attacks from the same priest. Both these articles in Signes des Temps and the “open letters” of our Haitian brother have been widely read here, and undoubtedly are the cause of the publication of the Avis Important. As a result, we shall doubtless lose some of our regular subscribers to the Signes; indeed, we have lost some already; but this will not arrest the progress of the work, for the message has gained a momentum before which man and his inventions are powerless.

In spite of the political unrest, the Lord gives us reasons for encouragement in permitting us to see others accepting the truth from time to time. I have between fifteen and twenty awaiting baptism in the various companies in the country.

I have just returned from a trip to Port au Prince, the capital of the republic. This was a rather expensive journey, but I have seldom had experiences in the field that brought me more encouragement than this one did. The company of Sabbath-keepers there has grown from one or two a little over three years ago to ten now, including three

candidates for baptism. This progress has been made with very little ministerial help. In fact, it is mostly attributable to the consistent living and wholesome Christian influence of the aged brother who first began the observance of the Sabbath in Port au Prince some seven years before he knew of any others of like faith.

I held a meeting every night during the week of my stay. Before leaving I baptized two intelligent young law students, who were converted from the Catholic faith, and one sister; and one other sister was received into the membership of the company, on profession of faith. This last-mentioned woman is the wife of the chief of the president's staff, and her father is present minister of war and one of the strongest candidates for the presidency, a Haitian soldier whose name has frequently been in American papers the present year.

As all know, the Haitian capital has been the scene of stirring events the past few months, in the form of summary executions of political suspects and the incendiary burning of one fifth of the city. It will, doubtless, see still more stirring events in the near future, but we hope that after some of these generals and aspirants to the president's chair settle the matter, and sheath their swords, the city will witness a campaign of a more peaceful nature.

We believe that there are still other honest souls there who will gladly receive the message and prepare to meet the soon-returning Saviour, and we now only wait the propitious moment to begin our work there.

· Cape Haitien.