Porto Rico by Lillian S. Connerly

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 3, 1905

Porto Rico

By Lillian S. Connerly

ANOTHER quarterly meeting in the past, and it was a time of refreshing to the little company in Mayaguez. Early in the morning we gathered to celebrate one of the prettiest baptisms that it was ever my privilege to witness. We chose the early morning, to avoid the fierce heat of the sun, and it was then that all nature seemed to be in her gentlest mood. As we gathered from the different homes on this Sabbath kept sacred in memory of creation, the very spirit of rest seemed to breathe in the air. The hills rose in tranquil beauty beyond the bay which lay at their feet in a beautiful calm; so placid was the water that we could see the mirrored reflections of the hills, and of the ships that were anchored in the harbor. The soft rays of the morning sun cast a glory over all, and as the first candidate came up out of the water, the voices that were singing “There is a fountain filled with blood” (translated into Spanish) faltered, and eyes were filled with tears of joy. Two dear young women were buried with their Lord in baptism, after having studied faithfully the truths for this time, and we felt that they fully understood what this most sacred obligation meant.

In the forenoon we held our Sabbath-school in the Barrio of Guanijibo, some distance from the place of baptism, where our two native helpers are holding meetings. In the afternoon the company gathered again to celebrate the ordinances. The enemy has not been idle so far as our little company is concerned, and they have of late been passing through some hard struggles; but as we gathered to celebrate the ordinances divinely appointed, the Lord came very near and blessed us, hearts were made tender, and a spirit of determination to be true seemed to be manifested. It is the natural tendency here in Porto Rico to be changeable, but the Spirit of God can change all natural tendencies.

When we receive such refreshings from the Lord, we feel that we will never again doubt or complain, but like Israel of old, when the water is bitter we murmur and wonder if it was the pillar of cloud that led us there, and why the work moves so slowly. There are six other candidates for baptism, but we are waiting until they are more fully instructed in the way.

The work in Arecibo is prospering under the diligent guidance of Brother Moulton, and Mr. Connerly expects soon to go there to organize the company into a church.

We request those who are praying for Porto Rico to join us in asking that of the small company the Lord has given us here, we may lose nothing. LILLIAN S. CONNERLY.