Porto Rico by B. E. Connerly

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jan 26, 1905

Porto Rico

By B. E. Connerly

RINCON.— We have just been out on a missionary trip, looking after the interest of the work springing up here and there. The prime motive of the trip was to go to Arecibo to help Brother Moulton get started there. He went to that place over a week ago. The need seemed almost imperative, as there were a number of earnest souls who had begun the observance of the Sabbath, and needed some one to help them. As the election made it impossible to do outside work, after earnestly seeking the Lord in prayer we allowed Brother Moulton to go, to locate in that town, the fourth in size on the island. We followed in about ten days, and are much pleased with what we found. Our first Sabbath-school organized was certainly encouraging. And in the evening I unfolded the chart, and gave a talk on the prophecies of Daniel. The house was filled with a good class of people, all interested readers of El Centinela. We have a fine list of subscribers there.

They urged me to stay and hold meetings. But the work in Mayaguez demanded my presence, so I left Brother Moulton to do thorough house-to-house work with the books for two months, holding the interest as best he can with Bible studies, and then I plan to return and hold a series of meetings.

I can not express the satisfaction it gives me as I visit town after town where our paper has been, and find the people anxious to have me talk to them about the truth. This convinces me that, though our little paper has cost hard work, tears, and money, it has been a most effective factor in preparing the way for the message we have to give. We have had to work most carefully to get a hold on the people, but God has blessed the effort.

The Methodists have started a little paper, El Defensor Cristiano. Last month it contained a two-page article on Sabbath observance, which we feel bound to review.

Traveling is very expensive here, but the proceeds from El Centinela have paid for our good horse, Sentinel, and he has carried me everywhere in the interests of the paper; and the paper has almost supported several poor persons who have accepted the truth.

Our work in Mayaguez is encouraging. God has especially blessed me in my efforts toward public work in the Spanish.

Victoriano, a bright young man, is out now on a canvassing tour, and is doing what he can in the interests of the work on the south side of the island. We have Peter, a real missionary, with us in the work in Mayaguez. There is a good interest in that place, and they are begging me to come home soon to continue the meetings and the studies in the prophecies. We are printing a little four-page sheet for the Sabbath-keepers, in which we can instruct them on our special truths with more freedom. We have printed twenty thousand of these little doctrinal tracts.

B. E. CONNERLY.