War and Church Suffering in Haiti

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 20, 1914

War and Church Suffering in Haiti

Further news comes to the Mission Board from Elder A. F. Prieger, superintendent of our work in Haiti. He speaks of the recent battle in Cape Haitien between revolutionists and government forces. Brother and Sister Prieger and the Europeans in the city were kept safely, though among the contestants there were many fatalities, and in the morning the dead were lying about the streets. He adds: “A brother has come from Grande Riviere, a town in the interior, where we have a church. The entire city has been pillaged. Not a house was spared, and many homes were burned. The Baptist, Catholic, and Seventh-day Adventist church buildings were pillaged, and every piece of furniture demolished and burned, including benches. The buildings were used as stables for the horses. Our church organ was used for the entertainment of the soldiers. We are wondering what to do for our brethren, as they are all very poor now, none having so much as a bed or a mattress to lie on, and all have passed through a terrible siege. Eleven of the officers who put their horses in our church were shot by the opposing party. Twelve leading citizens were shot, and numbers of others. None of our people were killed. One of our colporteurs was shot in the foot. When the soldier saw him wounded, he wanted to kill him, but another man stepped between them and thus saved our brother’s life. We thank the Lord for his protecting care. We have not heard from other places yet.”