Danish West Indies by H. C. J. Walleker

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 31, 1907

Danish West Indies

By H. C. J. Walleker

St. Thomas.—We are at last located in this city. Leaving New York August 24, we arrived here between twelve and one o'clock Sunday morning, September 1. As we could get no boat direct to this place, we had to go to St. Croix, and from there take a sailing schooner to this island, a distance of about forty miles. Taking it all together, we had a very pleasant trip, and we thank our Heavenly Father for his care and protection on our long journey.

After a few hours' rest at a hotel, we started out to look for a house, but it is hard to find a suitable one to live in here, and rent is very high. Sunday evening we found a house that we thought would do, but Monday morning when I went to see the agent, we found that it had been rented, but he said that he knew of a place that could be purchased for about one fourth its value. The owner had died about a year ago, and his widow was about to start for Europe. We went to look at the property, and found a really elegant place, located on a side hill where it is healthy, and where a fine view of both city and harbor is to be had. Everything was in good condition, so we bought the place and moved in that day. We are very comfortably situated. It seems to us that the Lord has kept this place for us, for it is the only desirable place we have seen. There is a block of ground with it, and it would rent for about twenty dollars. So we realize again God's loving care for us, and praise his name.

Charlotte Amalia is a small place of about ten thousand inhabitants, the majority of whom are colored. The officials are nearly all Danish, and as I can speak to them in their own language, they have shown me every courtesy that could be asked. So far, our denomination has not been recognized by the government here, and for that reason we can not even bury our own dead, nor perform the marriage ceremony for anybody. I have called on the acting governor and laid the matter before him, and presented to him the papers furnished by the General Conference and acknowledged by the Secretary of State, and also by the Danish representative at Washington. These papers must go to the king of Denmark with a petition signed by a goodly number of residents here before we can obtain recognition. We have formulated such a petition, and I have called upon many of the officials and business men, and so far they have all signed it, and spoken very highly of our work here. I have also called on the ministers of other denominations, and they have all likewise signed their names. If our denomination is not recognized in Denmark, this request may not be granted at all, but we hope for the best.

We have a small company of believers at Charlotte Amalia, St. Thomas; also a small church building, which is not quite finished. We are holding five meetings each week. Our Sunday night services are well attended, and there is a good interest manifested. I have now a class of five for baptism, who expect to go forward in this rite in about two weeks. Many have expressed a desire to obey and walk with us, but as yet they have not sufficient faith to cut loose, and come out into the liberty of Christ.

We have located on this island one of our native ministers, Elder J. H. Matthews, and together we are planning soon to visit St. John and Tortola, where there are a few Sabbath-keepers. A tent effort should be put forth at St. John, and St. Croix, and other places, as soon as we can have a tent to use. We see much to do on every hand, but there are few to do it.

There is an excellent opening here for a good, consecrated church-school teacher; and if some of our home churches could combine to support such a one here, at least in part, it would certainly be good missionary work.

We are well, and of good courage in the work, and are pressing the battle to the front, that in the glad day, fast hastening, we may come with rejoicing, bringing our sheaves.

H. C. J. WALLEKER.