Carriacou by A. G. Peart; E. Zettie Simons Peart

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 29, 1912

Carriacou

By A. G. Peart; E. Zettie Simons Peart

THE little island of Carriacou is one of the Windward group of the West Indies, and lies about twenty miles due north of Grenada. The island is mountainous, and its hills tower high in proportion to its size. Its area is about thirteen square miles, and the highest point is High North, 980 feet; Chapeau Carre, in the south, 960 feet, comes next. The peaks are pointed in shape, and have been almost denuded of their trees. The appearance, while beautiful in itself, is entirely different from that of the larger islands. There are no streams to add fertility to the valleys, or to quench the burning thirst of man or beast here. The water-supply is derived from wells, and contains much saline matter. Rain-water is stored in tanks for use in the dry season,—February, March, April, and May. The population is estimated at about eight thousand.

The island is visited every Thursday at about 5 P. M. by a small steamer which plies between here and St. George, bringing mail and passengers. There is a good hospital, where the poor and indigent are treated at a very small cost.

From this hospital at Bellevue, the center of the island, one of the most perfect views of the West Indies may be obtained on a clear evening, when St. Vincent to the north, and Grenada to the south, sixty miles apart, are visible, with the chain of Grenadines islets lying like gems in between. Here, too, may be observed the practical development of the government scheme of settling peasant proprietors on allotments cut out of abandoned sugar estates, and the creation thereby of contented landowners, where a few years ago there was only desolation and acacia scrub.

Having given a brief sketch of the island of Carriacou, we shall add a short account of the work of the Lord here. These words of Jesus are applicable in all lands where the message is preached: “I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!” Luke 12:49, 50.

We have verified the truthfulness of the words of this text by experience. The fire of the wrath of men has been kindled since the appearance of the first

Seventh-day Adventist missionary on this island. It still continues: the prince of darkness has fought us zealously; but notwithstanding the opposition and hard sayings of our adversary the devil, the work is onward. We are glad to be able to report the baptism of seven persons Jan. 26, 1912. It was through constant prayer and supplication to God that these were brought through the fiery trials of their faith to the place where we could present them to the Lord to be “planted together in the likeness of his death,” that they “shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” There are others who are not quite ready for baptism. Following the baptism, Elder A. N. Durrant organized the believers here into a church, after which we celebrated the ordinances. We ask the prayers of God’s people everywhere that this little church may grow, and may shine as a light set upon a hill, in this dark corner of the vineyard of the Lord.

We have now reached the place in our work where it is very essential that a church building be erected. We have procured a lot for that purpose, but there is no money to purchase the building materials. Those who have united with us here are poor, and we can not hope to receive much from them, except a little free labor when we start work. Of necessity we must therefore appeal to our numerous friends, the readers of the REVIEW, for help. Whatever assistance our people would like to offer to this needy island may be sent through the treasurer of the General Conference, with the specification that it is for the church on the island of Carriacou.

A. G. PEART, E. ZETTIE SIMONS PEART.