Colombia by J. B. Stuyvesant

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 13, 1905

Colombia

By J. B. Stuyvesant

ST. ANDREWS ISLAND.—In the short seven months' work we have been permitted to do in this field, I have had more satisfaction than in all the previous six years I was endeavoring to help others see this blessed truth in the United States. It seemed as if we had to force the truth upon nearly everybody there. And while it is far from easy to reach the majority here, yet it does us much good to see and hear the joy of those who do take hold and see the light.

We were in Old Providence Island nearly four weeks, and I helped Elder Knight in the meetings, preaching every other night, and sometimes in the afternoon, which I much enjoyed. I also canvassed the island, and sold quite a number of books, though not so many as I might have sold if the people had really possessed the money to buy. We had the joy of seeing four good strong soldiers enlisted in the cause and baptized, and I have had word from them since that they are prospering, holding their regular meetings, and having a few others meet with them. I hope to be able to visit them again soon, and see some others who were almost persuaded take a stand.

It gives us great joy to have a fully organized little church of nineteen members here, besides the four over in Old Providence, who also meet with us here. It made a great commotion in the churches both here and in the other island, to have some of their old members unite with us and be rebaptized, and both preachers denounced us in their meetings as “false prophets.” But the Lord is on our side, and he is helping us. We had a good congregation again last evening, in spite of the denunciation of two weeks ago. The dear Lord has been very gracious, indeed, to us, and has given us splendid health thus far, for which we truly thank him.

As there is but little call for good carpenters here, and a surplus of poor ones, my trade has been a poor source of revenue since coming here. But there was no blacksmith on the island, and there are frequent needs for one in the repairing of the numerous small sailing vessels, etc., about here, so several who learned that I was a good all-round “tinker” and “handy man,” urged me to get a set of blacksmith's tools, and assured me I would do well at it. So I have made a start since my return from Old Providence, and you will be glad to know that the Lord is helping me in the new undertaking, giving me quite a little work already, although I have not yet built my shop or put out a sign. Many are glad that they can get plain work done without a two-hundred-mile trip to the mainland, and a long delay. We may try tanning soon, and a broom shop in the fall, if the Lord so directs and gives us a crop of corn to work up.

Soon after my arrival here, I experimented, and proved that broom-corn can be grown. And as I have recently received from the United States what is the only, and possibly the first, plow on the island, I had the pleasure of turning the first few furrows ever turned here, a few days ago, with several much-interested onlookers, in a little two-acre lot which I have rented and am clearing for a garden. Several say that if my plow is a success, they will have one also. It is a small one-horse affair, but I believe it will be a success.

Mrs. Stuyvesant is very fond of her students, and they also are of her. We are so glad and thankful for our blessed privileges and opportunities here to work for the Master. We trust that you have just had a blessed and profitable conference, and that the work may be expedited greatly in all parts of the field, as a result.

J. B. STUYVESANT.