Jamaica by A. N. Durrant

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 10, 1907

Jamaica

By A. N. Durrant

On the last page of the REVIEW of July 11, of this year, reference is made to the Kingston (Jamaica) church building. The membership is over four hundred, and they wish to dedicate this building on the fourteenth of next January, one year from the disaster. It is no easy task that this membership has undertaken. Kingston is practically the same to-day as immediately after the disaster, in many respects. With homes all injured, if not entirely destroyed, how these dear souls alone, without help, can build to meet the present needs, I do not see.

On Sabbath, July 13, the writer spoke to this church from Num. 21:4, bringing before them God’s willingness and power to help so that they need not become “discouraged because of the way,” but I was indeed sorry to see so many standing outside because the first floor of the old church, which is now a shed where they congregate, could not accommodate all. Sunday night Elder Strickland spoke to a large congregation, one half having to stay in the open yard; and among these were many respectable people, including Jews. It is indeed a pity that the new church is not yet finished so that these people whose hearts are now turned to the message, could assemble and be taught the meaning of the current signs. We do believe in getting “out of the cities,” but these unwarned souls in the cities must be taught the message. The new site is indeed a good one, being away from the crowded business centers and near by respectable homes.

Elders Strickland and Kneeland have already cried out for help; and, brethren in the more favored lands, I want to tell you that your help is needed badly. Will you not help the distressed church of Kingston at this juncture? Other churches of Kingston have been sending to England and the States for help to rebuild. While most of them are building on the old sites, we have removed to a better place; and shall we not call and expect our home-land believers to come to our help?

The greatest drought the writer has ever seen has ravaged the entire island before and since the earthquake. Domestic animals have died for water. Almost all crops are spoiled. Famine has now set in. People are dying in one parish (St. Elizabeth) of starvation. The governor was called there last week. The authorities and press have been collecting funds for the stricken districts. We have a church (Southfield) in one of these districts. Will not some dear ones send us something to help these dear brethren through this crisis? Brother, sister, think of men, women, and children dying of hunger, and those not yet dead too weak to leave their homes to go for relief bread.

Earthquakes and famines in divers places — signs of the Lord’s coming — have at last reached Jamaica. Who will help us? Send all money to H. H. Cobban, Bog Walk, Jamaica, telling for what it is to be used. A. N. DURRANT.