p. 12 | Beginnings in Hayti by W. JAY TANNER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Dec 14, 1905

Beginnings in Hayti

By W. JAY TANNER

W. JAY TANNER

TWENTY-FOUR years ago some one in Southampton, England, actuated by the missionary spirit, sent a bundle of Signs of the Times and tracts, by a royal mail steamer, to the agent of the company at Cape Haitien, Hayti. It must have seemed like a random shot at the time, but nevertheless it hit the mark. The agent, not being interested in religious matters, sent these papers and tracts to the Baptist minister, and he gave them to the English-speaking members of his congregation. Among those who received them was a Jamaican by the name of Henry Williams. As a result of reading these papers, he and his wife began the observance of the Sabbath a few weeks later, a practise in which they have persisted ever since, even though at times they have been surrounded by revolution, and have had to flee to the mountains for safety.

For twenty years this elderly couple kept the lamp of faith burning alone, until about four years ago they were joined by another Jamaican, much to their encouragement. But it remained for the present year to reveal to them that persistent continuance in a good object will be rewarded. In January they succeeded in calling the attention of a highly intelligent and influential school principal to the message.

This young man had been a Roman Catholic all his life, but had recently left that church on account of errors that were beginning to be apparent to him, and had united with the Wesleyan denomination. About the time the truth found him, he and several other young men had been seeking the Lord for light and power. The revelation of the third angel's message seemed like an answer to their prayers; and this young man, after examining the foundation of our faith, concluded to build upon it. He immediately began working for the students in his school (a private boarding-school), and as a result one of the teachers and three or four of the young men joined with him in Sabbath observance. He then, during vacation, went out to some of the interior towns, and in one place awakened an interest that brought eighteen into the message for these times, and at another place about the same number accepted the truth. Besides this he wrote a tract in which he stated his change of views and reasons therefor; this he printed and circulated at his own expense. One of these tracts fell into the hand of an influential Haitien gentleman in the extreme southwestern part of the island, and as a result he has cut loose from the Church of Rome and begun to keep

the holy Sabbath; and in other places this little tract has created an interest that is leading people to call for more light.

Since coming to this field we ourselves have had many evidences that we came none too soon. Although we have had to speak through an interpreter, in our meetings we have realized much of the Spirit and power of the Lord. Meetings that we held at Grande Riviere were attended by the mayor and a general, and here at Cape Haitien a judge and one of the most influential senators in the republic have attended our Sabbath services. The senator has been here twice, and the last time he told me that he expected to continue to come.

The enemy is at work also. The other Protestant churches are importing and circulating literature against us, and one of the young men who meets with us on the Sabbath was imprisoned last week for refusing to do duty on the seventh day. But these things can not stay the progress of the cause when God leads, and there is every evidence that God is leading here.

Cape Haitien.