p. 5 | In Unhealthful Climes by William Ambrose Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 19, 1905

In Unhealthful Climes

By William Ambrose Spicer

A PARAGRAPH from the report of a Bible society colporteur in Sumatra shows the kind of places that the pioneer worker often gets into:—

Belawan is considered one of the most unhealthful places in the East, so much so that it is almost impossible to stay a single night there without having a bad attack of fever next day. Vessels put to sea every evening and return early next morning, or else the European part of the crew go up country each night, to escape the dread malaria.

On the way to Medan, he passed over a railway, twenty miles of which, through a swamp, had cost as many lives of Europeans and natives, they say, as there are ties or sleepers along that portion of the line. At such a cost the Dutch have provided a channel for commerce and a means for spreading the gospel.

Through all these regions the Lord is sending his word, and the last gospel warning will be given “wherever man is found.” We must move along the line of least resistance, and plant our permanent stations in the most favored parts of all these lands. But the whole populous tropical belt is a battle-field. During the last season in some parts our missionaries have had particularly trying times with fevers. Not one has had to forsake the field, and we get words of cheer from all. But let us assure them that the believers in the churches will pray definitely that the health and the lives of the workers may be protected and their labors blessed in gaining permanent footholds in all these difficult regions. W. A. S.