Hayti by Henry Williams

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1905

Hayti

By Henry Williams

THE good work is continuing here. As a result of daily Bible readings, by Brother Michel Nord Isaac with his home students, one young man has fully accepted the truth, and desires to be baptized. Brother Isaac is giving Bible talks to the public on Sabbath evenings. In one of the meetings were to be seen pastors, doctors, magistrates, lawyers, and professors of schools. A doctor wrote Brother Isaac last week, asking him to continue his lectures. Another doctor, in conversation with him, frankly acknowledged the seventh-day Sabbath. One of Brother Isaac’s teachers, a Baptist, has also decided to observe the Sabbath.

Brother Isaac went twenty-four miles last Sunday with five of his students, and returned Tuesday. He preached twice on Sunday to a large gathering, in a Baptist chapel. He also held house-to-house Bible talks, and was given earnest attention on every occasion; even the presentation of the true Sabbath caused no opposition, as nearly all had their Bibles to verify passages as he cited them. They promised to study the subject, and when he returns, they will have a better understanding of it.

It was a surprise to find so many Protestants, with a still larger number farther in the interior, and chapels scattered everywhere, in which services are conducted by native preachers. These are principally of the Baptist belief. I was greatly cheered and refreshed in spirit by the rehearsal of the experience of a pastoral tour by the Baptist minister of this town a while ago. He said he met an aged couple who were the only Protestants in that community. It made me think of our experience two years ago, when my wife and I, aged sixty-five and sixty-seven years respectively, were the only Seventh-day Adventist witnesses in Hayti. There are now nine of us who meet on Sabbaths for worship.

I believe now more firmly than ever, that our emphatic motto is, “There shall be delay no longer,” and it was also stated that the year 1905 would be a missionary period in a special manner. We are under much anxiety, and in great expectation to see this part of the harvest-field share proportionately in the missionary plan contemplated by the different conferences. Four desire baptism, and are awaiting the coming of a minister that they may receive the ordinance.

HENRY WILLIAMS.