Southern Jamaica by F. Hall; A. N. Durrant

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 28, 1904

Southern Jamaica

By F. Hall; A. N. Durrant

By the appointment of our conference, we moved to this place, and began holding meetings about the middle of January. The parish which was formerly called Vere, but has been recently annexed to a sister parish (Clarendon), and now bears the name Clarendon, is the most neglected parish of this island. There is not one Seventh-day Adventist church in it as yet. This parish is the seat of darkness and superstition. Spiritism prevails among the ignorant. With the many sugar and rum making estates, the men are drunkards. Religion is almost utterly discarded, only some of the women being exceptions in this respect. During the dry season one here can better understand such prophecies as Joel 1:10-20 and Isa. 51:7. Here also diseases prevail more than anywhere else in the island. We have never seen a greater number of blind, deaf, and afflicted people.

Isa. 1:4 is literally fulfilled here. Oppression of every kind is to be seen. The poor, working class, with the emigrated coolies, are slaves, having hard taskmasters who misuse and rob them. It is grievous to hear the complaints of even the poor coolies who are crying to God, hoping to get back to their native land. The prophecy of James 5 is being wonderfully fulfilled.

But as dark as this place is, the great threefold message must be preached here, and so we came, realizing that God had sent us, and that he would be with us.

We started our meetings close by two Church of England and one Baptist churches, and the services have been well attended. A lively interest has been awakened, and honest souls are accepting present truth. Eleven are preparing for baptism, and we expect the number will soon be increased to twenty; for some are already keeping the Sabbath at home, while others are deciding to do so soon. To God we give all the praise.

The Baptist minister confesses the truth, though he says he is not convinced that he should keep the Sabbath.

Among the converts are two special cases. One of these is a young girl who was deeply convicted by the Spirit of God. She was a member of the Church of England. Although persecuted, her faith did not waver, and she is now rejoicing in the blessed truth. The other is a lady of good standing in one of the churches, who was so overpowered by the Spirit of God that she fell on her knees and wept and prayed. We are encouraged by these special indications of the Spirit's working. At present we are holding cottage-meetings in two other districts, and the interest is good. Many are watching the move we are making toward the erection of a place of worship. We must soon leave the hall that we are in, and there is not another suitable place in the neighborhood in which to hold such meetings.

The plains are destitute of lumber for building. The people are poor, and the company is composed mostly of women, so we realize that we must rely on our American brethren to help establish a memorial in this long-neglected parish. One hundred dollars would be a great help to the work here. Who will help? Notwithstanding the many calls from different fields for money, we feel sure that our dear brethren of the local churches will cheerfully contribute to this end; or perhaps some one who has means will send us this help. If this is done, we shall be able to move on to other districts soon. Contributions may be sent through the Mission Board to the president here.

We are well, and realize a joy in being in the Master's work. We are glad to see how the converts prize the truth, and wish that some of those who will read these lines were here to see the joy they manifest; but we believe the gathering day is not far away, when we all shall meet on the sea of glass. We are of good courage. Pray for us and the work here.

F. HALL, A. N. DURRANT.