Progress in Haiti by W. J. Tanner

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 30, 1910

Progress in Haiti

By W. J. Tanner

W. J. TANNER

The first quarter of the year has witnessed very material progress in our work in Haiti. During this time I have baptized twenty-four believers, all but three or four of whom were Roman Catholics. Our baptism of sixteen at Grande Riviere on New-year's day excited no little comment on the part of the other missionaries, and some of the oldest Protestants here have told me that they never before heard of such a large number being baptized at one time in Haiti. Nor is this all; for since this baptism at Grande Riviere, between sixteen and twenty more have accepted the message and joined a second baptismal class. These are all from the Catholic Church.

At Port-au-Prince our native worker, Mr. Nord Isaac, is holding up the banner of truth against great difficulties. About two years ago over a third of the city was destroyed by fire, and at the present time it is almost impossible to rent a suitable place for meetings. At first the young brother was permitted to hold meetings in one of the Protestant churches; but as soon as he reached the Sabbath question, he found that his preaching was no longer desired in the church. Our worker was, however, able to make arrangements to carry on his work in an empty storeroom, which he rented for two months. During these meetings the daughter of the bishop of the Episcopal Church in Haiti began the observance of the Sabbath.

A brief account of how this lady learned of the truth will be interesting. Ten or twelve years ago, while she and her father were visiting friends in Brooklyn, N. Y., they were invited to attend some Bible readings held by the late George A. King. As a result the daughter was convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and began to observe it, yet, however, without leaving the Episcopal Church, of which she has always been an active member. But it is difficult for one to remain in a nominally Protestant church, and at the same time observe all the law of God. Either the Sabbath or the church will be given up, and in this case it was the former. Nevertheless, the conviction that she had heard the truth relative to the Sabbath question never left her, and this and other circumstances worked together to cause her to be well prepared to hear and accept all the message when our worker opened meetings at Port-au-Prince.

As this lady is a person of some talent, the only daughter among eight or nine brothers, and has always been an effectual worker in her father's church, her acceptance of our faith has caused no little comment in the different Protestant missions. Her aged father, the bishop, while not approving of the change, has manifested a most charitable and generous attitude toward her and toward us.

I have just now returned from a trip to Port-au-Prince, where I not only baptized this sister, but also three other persons, all of whom are from a good class of people. Others will follow in a later baptism.

This progress of the work at the Haitian capital is very encouraging; for besides being the political center of the republic, it is also the largest city in the island, and it is but appropriate that our work should gain a foothold there. We are greatly handicapped, however, for want of a suitable meeting-place. At present our meetings are conducted in a small room behind a cake shop. It seems impossible to rent anything that would be suitable to our needs, and even for very inferior rooms the rents are exorbitantly high. The only way out of this difficulty is to build. I do not know how we are going to do this; but as it is evidently the necessary and right thing to do, I doubt not that means will be forthcoming for this purpose.

Cape Haitien.