St. Andrews Island by Mr. J. B. Stuyvesant; Mrs. J. B. Stuyvesant

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1905

St. Andrews Island

By Mr. J. B. Stuyvesant; Mrs. J. B. Stuyvesant

WE are thankful that the Lord opened the way for us to come to this place. The people surely need help. We found a little company who were waiting and praying for help. They thank God daily for our coming. They are much encouraged, and the Lord has blessed us. Five young people and one elderly lady have taken a stand for the truth. It would do your heart good to hear the prayers and testimonies of the young people. The burden of their thought seems to be quick preparation for service. They take part in all meetings, review Sabbath-school, and grasp every opportunity to learn. I trust that God will give us wisdom to lead and train them in order to make them workmen that need not to be ashamed, but thoroughly prepared for any good work.

We have three preaching services during the week. At the close of the Sabbath we all study the spirit of prophecy. We have a class in Spanish, which meets every Monday evening. There are seven of us. We have no teacher, but a very good Spanish grammar.

Elder Knight has written us that he will visit us soon. We hope to organize a church when he comes. Our school is doing well, as far as the work done is concerned; but we have only twenty pupils at present. There are many schools here now, as the Baptists have started a number.

We sell quite a few books. While many of the older people can not read, the children are learning rapidly, and can read for them. We have sold about five hundred copies of the Watchman in the four months we have been here.

Our health has been good so far, and we like the climate. We do not notice the heat so much as in the States. We see so much to do that it is a temptation to overwork. We must work the other parts of the island; but we can not get a house that we can depend on, so are making a tent. We are impatient to get command of the language so as to reach the Spanish-speaking people here.

The week of prayer was two weeks later with us than in the States. It was a blessed season. To avoid doing away with our regular Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday night studies, we decided to have our readings at 6 A. M. By the middle of the week we had the joy of seeing all the older students in our little school converted to God, and one back-slider reclaimed.

I had secured two places for holding

meetings Sunday forenoons and Friday and evenings, but we were shut out of the latter place before we had a chance to hold a meeting, and were permitted to hold but one at the other place, owing to the owner's fear of the censure of the church officers. As we could get no other place for our meetings, a rumseller, who had about sold out his stock, invited us to hold service in his nearly empty store. We accepted his offer, and have had several services there, but the attendance is small. Our Sunday and Thursday evening meetings are not largely attended, but we have quite a little outside interest, and our little company is drinking in the blessed truths, and seems to be growing stronger and more determined to stand the storm. The Lord is surely working in our midst, and others are troubled and anxious about their souls.

The Lord sent a Jamaican brother here from Corn Island, en route to Bocas del Toro, and led him into contact with our Adventist tailor, who is always ready to turn his shop into a Bible school, and give a good reason for his blessed hope. After a few days' studies, he took his stand for the Sabbath, and is apparently growing rapidly. Our hearts are truly thankful for the Lord's leading and helping presence.

There is a good opening for a doctor here. There is not a good physician on the whole island. I wish some one might be led to this place.

Pray for us. We will help you all we can. Our little company here have adopted the weekly offering plan, and give well.

MR. AND MRS. J. B. STUYVESANT.