The West Indies-Cuba by U. Bender

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 9, 1910

The West Indies—Cuba

By U. Bender

U. BENDER

Our local conference meetings began this year at Jamaica, January 1-10. We were very fortunate in having Prof. F. Griggs present at this meeting. He has already reported the meeting, so I will only say that, so far as human judgment goes, the conference was a profitable one in every respect.

On January 8 Professor Griggs and myself sailed from Kingston for Cuba. The sea was very rough; it was not long until nearly all the passengers were seasick. After thirty hours of fasting and nausea, we landed at Santiago, leaving by train the next morning for Havana, five hundred forty miles distant. On the way, we stopped one day at Omaja to visit the brethren. The church at this place is composed of believers from the States who have come to Cuba to help the cause in whatever way they can. They greatly desire to see a school established at Omaja, not only for the benefit of their own children, but also for Cuban children.

We stopped overnight in Camaguey, the largest city in central Cuba. This enabled us to make the entire trip by day, and so get a good look at the country all along the railroad. The eastern part of the island is made up of lofty mountains. After leaving the mountains, we passed through about two hundred miles of heavily timbered country. To the west, the country is more open, with savanas, or cleared land, till one reaches the mountains at the west end of the island.

On Sabbath, January 15, the church at Marianao, near Havana, had an all-day meeting. Sabbath-school began shortly after 9 A. M., and was followed by examination of candidates and baptism, seven believers taking this step. On returning from the river, quarterly meeting services were held, which lasted till sunset. All the talking was done in Spanish, or interpreted. This church is almost entirely composed of Cubans. It has grown during the past year; I do not know its exact membership.

The next day we went out about fifty miles west, to visit the church at San Claudio. Like the church at Omaja, this company is composed of believers who have moved here from the States. Among them are S. H. Carnahan and wife, who are conducting a school for American and Cuban children. As the boat was soon to sail for New York, Professor Griggs hurried back to Havana, E. W. Snyder and I remaining with the church a few days longer.

In order to sail to Santo Domingo, I returned to Santiago. On the way I spent one Sabbath with Brother Guy Holmes and family at Minas. Here I was joined by B. E. Connerly, and after visiting Brother and Sister Anderson at Las Tunas, where they have a good school for the Cubans, we spent the following Sabbath with the church at Omaja. Here Sister E. C. Gray, Prof. E. A. Sutherland, and E. W. Snyder met us; and after a short counsel with reference to the work in Cuba, we went on to Santiago.

Cuba is a Spanish field. The people are mixed in color, and know little of religion outside of the leading of the Roman Catholic Church. The work of the third angel's message will grow in this island, but it will require much effort. We thank God that it is making headway. May the Lord give abundant increase to the seed sown.

Jamaica, West Indies.