In New Haytian Fields by W. J. TANNER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 23, 1907

In New Haytian Fields

By W. J. TANNER

W. J. TANNER

On my recent trip to the conference in Jamaica, I had an opportunity to visit many of the chief towns of Hayti. Twenty-two days were consumed in making the trip, besides the time spent in Kingston. This was caused by the fact that the steamers which run on this route stop at nearly all the Haytian ports to discharge and to take on cargo, and also on account of the different lines not connecting well.

From the standpoint of our work, we found many things to encourage us. The same readiness that we see to hear the message in the north exists to a greater or less extent in the southern portions of the republic. In Port au Prince, the capital, where we stayed nine days, we found an aged native Haytian, who has been keeping the Sabbath for nearly seven years. Brother C. M. Moulton first found this Sabbath-keeper about three years ago, when on his way to Porto Rico. But as he could not speak French, he had very little opportunity to instruct the brother; and so it was not until our visit that this man had this privilege, which he and his family seemed thoroughly to enjoy.

The manner in which he and his family found the truth is interesting, and illustrative of how the Lord sometimes works to bring the light to honest-hearted people in these countries of few spiritual privileges. The father was raised a Roman Catholic; but, a Bible falling into his hands, he read it, and was led to forsake the superstitions of Rome, and to join the Wesleyan denomination. After a time, the perusal of the Word called his attention to the truth on baptism. When he mentioned his convictions to his brethren of the Wesleyan faith, they at once sought to relieve him of his views, but to no purpose. Finally some one said to him: “There is no need of being so conscientious over the question of baptism, because of the fact that the Bible is silent on sprinkling and commands immersion; for the Bible is also silent in regard to keeping Sunday, while it does mention the Jewish Sabbath, which we Gentiles never keep.”

The brother replied that he would have to investigate the latter question also, and if he could be as sure that the seventh day is as binding on Christians as baptism, he would observe it, too. He at once began to read the Bible through for the purpose of learning the truth in the matter, with the result that he began the observance of the Sabbath four years before he heard that others were keeping it. Recently he has been made happy by seeing his wife and married daughters join him, in yielding obedience to the commandments of God.

The Sabbath I was with them their little company was further augmented by a schoolmaster, who cast in his lot with the people of God. These all showed, by their willingness to accept the light on health reform and tithing, that the work already begun in them is genuine.

This brother also informed me of a young man at St. Marc, who, through his instrumentality, is keeping the Sabbath. When our steamer reached this latter place, I inquired for the young man, but found that he had left the day before for Gonaives, to find work. When we reached that place, I succeeded in finding him, and was encouraged to note how well he seemed to understand the principal points of our faith, although he had never seen any of our literature until I handed him an assortment of our tracts and pamphlets, which he received with avidity. The fact that this young man carries a thumb-worn Bible in his pocket, is the only explanation we have to give of his knowledge of the truths that are so dear to us as a people.

On my arrival home, I found Brother E. Fawer, a young Swiss worker, awaiting me, having arrived from Europe just one month before my return. With his help we hope better to instruct our people in all the principles of the message, and to carry our firing line still farther into the enemy's country.