Cuba by E. W. Snyder

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1908

Cuba

By E. W. Snyder

It is now about three years since I arrived in this field to begin the work of giving the message to the Cuban people. At first the work went slow, and we can not say it has gone rapidly at any time, but we have seen evidences of the providence of God, and now a good foundation is laid.

During the year ending November 1, thirteen Cubans have been baptized. Altogether, we have baptized fifteen, all of whom, with three exceptions, are faithful to the truth, and in their lives are giving a good testimony. In fact, the numerical feature is not so much a cause for encouragement as are the zeal and missionary spirit manifested in the lives of those who have accepted the message. The first convert, a barber by profession, supports himself by working three days of the week, devoting the rest of his time to the sale of our Spanish papers. Some two hundred fifty of these are being used each month, and we can say that all the interests we are now finding are due to this work. A sister from the native Presbyterian Church, baptized at our last quarterly meeting, is also devoting each Sunday to the periodical work, and is much encouraged by her experience. It was at her own suggestion that she began this work.

One circumstance will serve to illustrate the character of the fruit the truth is bearing in the lives of the Cubans. Unexpectedly the sum of fifty-five dollars came into the possession of a brother here, whereupon he at once began to pay all his little debts, some of which had been standing for years. In this way he gave a good testimony for the truth.

Up to the present, our work has been largely limited to the district between Havana and Marianao, and meetings are being conducted at four different places, in private houses. We were obliged to close all our public meeting-places, and at present the mission is not paying a cent of rent for such purposes. This has worked somewhat to the detriment of the interest, and we trust that the Lord will soon send us the means to place the work on a different basis in this respect.

As a rule, the Cuban people are improvident and given to spendthrift habits, this being true of both the high and the low, the rich and the poor. Of home life the common Cuban knows nothing in the sense that an American enjoys home life, and outside of the time spent in eating and sleeping, he is found at the corner café eating and gambling. This place is also the rendezvous where business matters are talked over. Our Cuban brethren, instead of spending their time and money at these places as formerly, now take delight in attending the meetings, and are liberal in paying their tithes and offerings. Notwithstanding the unprecedented hard times the past year, a few have paid over one hundred thirty dollars tithe, more than thirty dollars of this amount being paid by one brother. Our people here are all poor, and although it is true that some of our brethren from the north are moving here, their income will be very small for some time to come, and their tithe little more than a negligible factor in the work.

In addition to the work in and around Havana, we are glad to say that our three self-supporting mission schools are doing a good work, and exerting an influence for the truth. These schools are located as follows: at San Cristobal, directed by Brother and Sister S. H. Carnahan; at Minas, directed by Brother Guy Holmes; at Nuevitas, by Brother Calvin Kinsman. The spirit of sacrifice manifested by our educational workers is greatly appreciated.

Colporteur work, followed with Bible work and public meetings, seems to give the best immediate results. House-to-house work is indispensable; for the Cuban people, owing to fear and superstition, will not go out at night to a strange place, although they may repeatedly be invited to do so. Their acquaintance must first be made in the home, and their confidence gained, and when once interested, they will be faithful attendants at the meetings.

Good American brethren are greatly needed to settle in every province of Cuba, where they may make homes for colporteurs. With the work of the colporteur well established, we are satisfied that believers would spring up in all parts of this fair land. It is true that not much could be promised in the way of immediate profit or gain in the things of the world, and we would advise that all who are looking to this feature alone would better remain away from Cuba, as they will most likely be disappointed, and leave, as some have already done. There is room for any one to labor here who is not too far along in years to get a working knowledge of the Spanish. No elderly person, dependent wholly on himself, unless he is a person of independent means, should come to Cuba, as it will not be easy for him to adapt himself to the great change. As yet we have only touched the field with the tips of the fingers as it were, and the needs are great. Since the brother whose house has served us for a mission headquarters has returned to the States, it seems imperative that arrangements be made for permanent headquarters.

Owing to the high rents and the scarcity of houses, we are at present obliged to occupy a place that in no sense represents the character of the great message we are giving to the people. We are praying that the Lord may provide means that proper headquarters may be secured.

However, a greater need is that of a laborer for eastern Cuba, where there is one organized church, and where several Cuban Sabbath-keepers await baptism. The journey from Havana, of nearly five hundred miles, is an expensive one, and we have been able to visit that section but once this year. How much longer must the work in that part suffer for the lack of means and a laborer?

Brethren, we trust that you will pray for the work in Cuba, and pray that the Lord may lay the burden of these souls now in superstition and dense darkness on the hearts of those who will come here and make it their life-work to give the message to this people. There is room for all who will come with this object. Who will respond? We shall be glad to correspond with all who have this burden. Address us at Apartado 35, Marianao, Cuba. E. W. SNYDER.