Panama and the Canal Zone by H. C. Goodrich

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 3, 1911

Panama and the Canal Zone

By H. C. Goodrich

H. C. GOODRICH

OUR work in the Canal Zone and Panama, where are gathered people from all parts of the world, is prospering. Of this multitude nearly forty thousand are employed by the Isthmian Canal Commission, whose work is now nearing completion. A few words about the canal may be of interest. Two years more, and the principal part of it will be finished. The great locks, three at each end of the canal, one thousand feet long and one hundred ten feet wide, which will raise the water in the canal eighty-five feet above sea-level, are well under way; and the first ship-load of structural iron for the gates has arrived.

Each gate is to be composed of two leaves; each leaf to be seven feet thick by sixty-five feet wide, from forty-seven feet and four inches to eighty-two feet in height, and to weigh from three hundred to seven hundred tons. In the construction of these locks, 4,284,000 cubic yards of concrete will be used. Of this, fifty-two per cent was in place May 1. Of the 20,000,000 cubic yards of “fill” estimated for the building of Gatun Dam, seventy per cent had been placed May 1. Of the 138,000,000 cubic yards of excavation that remained to be moved at the time of the American occupation in May, 1904, there remains less than 45,000,000 cubic yards; this is being moved at the rate of nearly 1,500,000 cubic yards a month.

During the past year our canvassers have sold $17,519.62 worth of books and periodicals, the larger part being in the English language. Many of these books have been sent to friends in the islands of the Caribbean Sea by those who bought them, so that the work done here will be felt in all the West Indies.

Little has been done in the Canal Zone during the past year in the way of ministerial effort; yet by the influence of books and periodicals sold, and the missionary efforts of our churches, eight have been baptized during the last quarter, and more than twenty are in the candidates’ class awaiting that ordinance.

Some of these have had experiences which have tried them, and proved them faithful. One of these was a young Spanish woman, who had lived with “her man” for several years. (This is a common custom in all these countries, and is practised by a majority of the people in the region of the Canal Zone.) When she was converted, she told him that they must be married, or that she would leave him. He refused, on the ground that then they would be bound, and could not do as they pleased. She immediately left him, and in time was baptized. Her life since has proved her an earnest, faithful Christian. She lives alone and supports herself.

As a rule, our people are faithful in paying the tithe; and although nearly all are very poor, yet they consider the tithe as holy to the Lord.

I was talking to a young man a few days ago who had asked for baptism. He had been employed as a bartender in a saloon at good wages, but for Jesus’ sake had given it up, and taken another position at half the price. He was left with three little children by their unnatural mother, who had no sympathy with his determination to live a Christian life. I asked him if he gave the Lord his tithe. He said no, that he could not spare it out of his salary. I read to him what the Bible says about the tithe, and why the Lord required it of his people, saying to him, ‘You study this matter, and let me know what you think of it.’ He answered: ‘I know now what I think of it; for I have determined already to do whatever the Bible commands. I will give the Lord his tithe.’ If only those who have large means entrusted to their stewardship would feel the same responsibility resting upon them as rested upon this humble man, who gave up position, salary, and companion for Jesus, there would be no lack of funds to send missionaries to the uttermost parts of the earth.

It is so also with the Sabbath; the Lord takes the humble ones to be witnesses for his truth. A young man who was employed in one of the stores of the Canal Commission has lately begun to keep the Sabbath. In this he was bitterly opposed by his wife, who finally left him. His employers gave him two hours to decide between the Sabbath and his position. In half an hour he returned, and said he would give up his position. He was then told that if he would sign a contract and work every Sunday, he would still be employed. This he willingly did, and kept his place. Some time after this, he was offered the position of watchman, as there was no work in this, and he could keep his place on Sabbath. But he told them it was the Lord’s Sabbath and was twenty-four hours long, and that he could not fill any place that would demand his presence on the Sabbath. Last month the pay-car came unexpectedly on the Sabbath, and his foreman sent for him. He left the meeting to see what was wanted. His pay was handed him, but he refused to accept it, saying he could not do business on the Lord’s Sabbath.

The influence of these lives consecrated to God is carrying conviction to the hearts of others, who are also inquiring after truth. May the truth fill all our hearts, and make us a power to win souls to Christ.

Cristobal.