Haiti by U. Bender

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 17, 1908

Haiti

By U. Bender

SUNDAY, September 27, I left Kingston, Jamaica, on the steamship “Assyria,” for Cape Haitien, Haiti. As the ship stopped at several ports for cargo, it took ten days to make the voyage of six hundred miles. Except for a day and a night spent in a hard storm, the time passed very pleasantly.

I went ashore at several ports where the boat stopped, but found little difference save in the size of the towns and the lay of the ground. The same broken-down, dilapidated appearance is to be seen at almost every turn, from the water-front to the very edge of the towns. I asked the captain of the ship why the people did not repair their wharfs, so that the work of loading cargo would be much easier. He said, “The word repair is not in their dictionary.” They have their quantity of contentment, pleasure, and happiness, but I am not desirous of testing the quality thereof.

Things seemed very quiet in the republic, so far as political trouble is concerned. While I was there, the wife of the president died, and as she seemed to be the mainstay of the old man, who is not less than ninety-eight years old, this sad event may open the way for a new movement of some kind.

I found Elder W. J. Tanner and family well. They are of good courage, for the work has prospered during the past year, in spite of the troublous times in the republic.

About a year ago the West Indian Union Conference voted six hundred dollars to erect a place of worship at Grand Riviere. This is an important town in the northern part of Haiti. We have quite a large company of believers there, so it is naturally a center for our work in the northern part of the island. The building is twenty by thirty feet inside, with walls of brick and stone eighteen inches thick. There is also a vestry built on the rear, twelve by fourteen feet, to accommodate the minister when he visits them.

I visited this place with Elder Tanner, and was much pleased to see the progress in building, but the most encouraging feature is the progress the brethren and sisters of this church have made in the love of the truth. This was evident from their appearance and actions. I could not understand their speech, but

what people do is a stronger argument than their words.

Sabbath, October 10, was a day of rejoicing for the little company at Cape Haitien, it being their privilege to meet in a public place for the first time. In the past they have had their meetings in Elder Tanner’s house, but now they are able to rent a little room on the street, where the people can see and hear as they pass. To a newcomer, this little room, with six home-made seats and a few chairs, furnishing seats for not more than forty in all, with a little platform and desk for the minister, would not appear very grand; but to those who had worked and prayed for years for the advancement of the truth, the privilege of having this place in which to meet was an evidence of divine favor and blessing, for which they raised their voices in praise to God.

Elder Tanner has been able, during the last year, to speak to our own people in French, and has now begun to speak to the public in French on some subjects. This means a great deal for our work there.

Brethren and sisters, pray with us for Elder Tanner and his family, that their health may be preserved, and that day by day they may have “courage to face the road, good cheer to help to bear the travelers’ load.” May the Lord bless his servants, and seal them to the work among this people.

My next stop will be in Porto Rico, with Elder B. E. Connerly and wife.

U. BENDER.