The Island of Java by GEO. TEASDALE.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 26, 1908

The Island of Java

By GEO. TEASDALE.

ALTHOUGH the area of Java is less than that of Alabama, it contains a population of thirty-two million, which is much more than one third the number of the whole population of the United States. Not only does it contain this population, but it also maintains it; for that its only resources are agricultural. It is so fertile, however, that each year the value of its exports exceeds sixty million dollars, and this after providing food for its teeming inhabitants.

The Dutch government holds the natives in strict subjection, and is very careful about the admission of strangers. Life and property are more secure than in many of the civilized countries of Europe, and there is practically no poverty, as we understand it in other countries.

The first company of workers for Java bearing the third angel’s message came late in the year 1906. We landed in Sourabaya, a city of two hundred and fifty thousand population, situated in the eastern part of the island. A few persons have been attracted to the standard of the truth. The greatest difficulty in the way of proclaiming the truth is the diversity of languages. Malay must be acquired in order to do business with the Chinese and the coolies. Dutch, being the official language, is also necessary, and the thirty million natives are divided into three tribes, each of which speaks a distinct language, and all are quite difficult to master. We have seen God’s leading in this field in many instances, although as yet but few results of our labor are apparent. There is no doubt that the proclamation of the closing message to the Mohammedans of Java is the most difficult work for which the Australasian Union Conference is responsible.

GEO. TEASDALE.

Sourabaya, Java.