WE left Bocas March 27, on a little boat called the “Experience,” for a trip to St. Andrews and Old Providence islands. The captain, thinking to make the trip to St. Andrews in three days, provided food accordingly. In this he was mistaken, it requiring seven days. It was a despondent-looking company that sat about the table on the fifth day out, having nothing to eat but a little soup made of water thickened with flour and sweetened with sirup. But they were still more discouraged when, on the sixth day, the cook announced the fact that food and water were all gone. For two days the boat drifted about in a calm. The sun shone down upon us with all of its torrid nature.
Food and water were gone; there was no sign of land anywhere, and we did not know when a favorable wind would spring up to take us on our way. We cried unto Him whom the winds and the waves obey, and he heard our cry. On the morning of the seventh day, Mr. Knight climbed up the ropes, and sent down the joyful cry, “Land ahead!” It took us until ten o’clock that night to make the harbor of St. Andrews. Mr. Knight gave the captain money, and begged him to go ashore and get us something to eat. He came back with some bread.
Dry bread was a relish that night. We never knew before what it really was to be hungry. The next morning the officials came on board and examined our luggage. When we were allowed to go ashore, Brother and Sister R. T. Robinson took us into their comfortable home, and provided us with some breakfast, which we enjoyed very much, and which called forth exclamations of praise from our little boy, Harry.
We remained on the island a week, holding meetings every night. We then took Brother J. B. Stuyvesant with us, and sailed to Old Providence. This island is forty miles north by east of St. Andrews, and has about fifteen hundred inhabitants. The truth had never been preached here before. We held meetings every night for twenty-eight nights, besides many during the day in different parts of the island. We would receive a call to come here or there where a congregation would be in waiting for us. Taking our little organ, we would walk from two to six miles, over rocks and hills, to sing and speak for an hour or two to the people. The entire island was stirred. All acknowledged the truth of the message presented, yet but few would obey. In these tropical climates the people are very indifferent in regard to the future life. They feel that there is always the time in the future. Manana—to-morrow—is their byword. They never hurry, but take things easy. We know a good work was done there that will yet bring forth much fruit. Our hearts were made glad in seeing eight precious souls step out to obey God. We organized a Sabbath-school of fourteen members.
The Baptists have a strong foothold on both of these islands, and rule their people with a hand of iron. Still we find them living in sin everywhere we go. The Lord needs true soldiers of the cross now to hold up his banner of truth in these dark places of the earth.
VIEW ON THE PANAMA CANAL
Leaving the dear ones there, we returned to St. Andrews, where we remained one week, organizing a church of twenty-three. Fifteen were baptized, three joined by letter; the others had been baptized by Elder Hutchins several years ago. The last night of our meeting with them the church was crowded. Three more decided to obey, and desired to unite with the church. Brother Stuyvesant is doing good work on the island. The Lord is truly blessing his labors.
We returned to Bocas May 21. The next day Mr. Knight left for Colon, to assist in getting Brother Peckover settled in his new home.
Every day we are made to feel more and more glad that we are here. We truly enjoy our work. The devil tries very hard to get in his work, but we are glad to report that unity and love prevail among our brethren.
The Lord is blessing us with good health and courage. We are having delightful weather. The thermometer registers eighty-four. Remember the work in this dark corner of the great harvestfield.
