p. 13 | Jamaica and Panama by S. A. WELLMAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 7, 1909

Jamaica and Panama

By S. A. WELLMAN

S. A. WELLMAN

The writer and his family arrived in Kingston, Jamaica, Oct. 5, 1908. Seven and one-half years ago we left this island for the eastern part of the West Indian field, and have since labored in the East and South Caribbean conferences. Nearly six years of this time we spent in Trinidad, in connection with the office of the Caribbean Watchman and the church at Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. Our stay in Trinidad was pleasant, and it was with feelings akin to leaving home that we departed from its friendly shores amid the group of loving friends who assembled to see us off.

During the latter part of the year, while the office of the Watchman was being moved from Trinidad to Panama,

we were requested to supply the pulpit of Kingston. We have found many of the friends of former years still faithful to the truth, their faces lit with the joy of the blessed hope; but others have left the faith, rejected the Lord, and gone to the world and its pleasures. Many new faces have come in, and there is now a strong church of over three hundred fifty active members. The work has made progress, and the prospects for the future are encouraging.

It was our privilege to visit the school at Riversdale soon after our arrival in the island. Professor Hughes and his helpers are doing excellent work in developing the property at Riversdale, and a number of bright, hard-working young men and women are preparing for usefulness. Among them are students from Barbados, Dominica, Trinidad, and Central America, as well as from Jamaica. There should be others from the other islands, and we would be glad to see some of our strong, intelligent young men and women from these various islands where they could obtain the benefits of this excellent institution.

A new dormitory has been started for the young men, and this will add greatly to the efficiency of the school, and extend its operations. Brother Elihu Wood has charge of the work on this building, and the prospects are that it will be a credit to the institution and the West Indian work.

Owing to some necessary business in connection with the establishment of the printing plant in Colon, it became necessary for the writer to spend a few days in that city at the beginning of November. While there, a picture was obtained of the new building that is to house the Watchman Publishing Co., the offices of the union conference, and the workers in both. This building, which is eighty-two feet long and forty-two feet wide, including porches, is two stories high, and contains a chapel thirty feet by forty feet, printing-office of the same size, with two floors, and four suites of living-rooms. It was necessary to provide living-rooms, as the rents are so high in Colon that it is beyond the bounds of possibility for a worker to live there in a manner befitting the cause, on the salary that it is possible to pay. Ten dollars gold for one room, and even more, is charged each month for rent. Often these are poor rooms, even at that. This building will provide suitable places of residence for the workers at a moderate rental.

The building in Colon fronts on Bolivar Street, the main street of Colon, and runs through to Cash Street in the rear. The chapel is in front, on the lower floor, and the printing-office is at the rear on the same floor. Living-rooms are above, with outside stairways.

The picture shows the building under way. We hope to furnish later a picture of the completed building, and a report of the work that is to be carried on within it. Elder D. E. Wellman is in charge of the work, and with him are associated a number of brethren from Jamaica, who went to Colon to assist him. The plans, as now laid, will find the building ready for occupancy early in 1909.

In the midst of trying conditions the work in these two institutions is being built up, that the gospel of the kingdom may be carried to the countries surrounding the Caribbean more quickly. They need the assistance and prayers of the people of God, that they may be a success, and that they may meet the mind of the Father in their future work. Will not the brethren and sisters at home remember them before God?