Central America by H. C. Goodrich

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 9, 1904

Central America

By H. C. Goodrich

UTILLA, BAY ISLANDS.—Ten days ago (April 24) I came to this place from Ruatan, hoping to reach Belize the first of next week. January 2 I went to French Harbor to organize a church there. I again studied all the points of our faith with them, holding meetings daily, till all were fully satisfied, and seemed an earnest Christian band. On January 16 I baptized eight, and the next day organized a church of eleven members.

The winter was unusually wet, and very cold; and for two months previous to this, I had been having some fever. I had intended to go from here to Bonacca, but after this effort I had to give it up, and return to Belize. February 13 I baptized three persons, and organized a church of fifteen members. The morning of the twentieth I awoke feeling that the fever was gone. On the twenty-third I started for Bonacca, and have had no fever since. Surely I have great reason to be thankful to my Heavenly Father for this.

We had some good meetings at Bonacca. The Lord gave great power to his word, and some of the people received help from him. A spirit of worldliness has come into this church, which was sad to see. I remained with them three weeks, and many took a higher stand. One young woman was converted and baptized. Three were disfellowshipped, and I fear that several others must be soon.

Then I went to North East Bight, on the north side of Bonacca, where there has been a company for several years, with a small church building, but all were members of the Bonacca church. As they were seven miles away, and the water most of the time is very rough, I decided to organize a church there, of nine members. One sister was baptized. I stayed two weeks, and seven began to keep the Sabbath. I hope to baptize these at my next meeting with them.

From Bonacca I went to French Harbor, staying over Sabbath, and baptizing four. Nearly all the people were kind and courteous to me, and my stay was very pleasant.

Leaving French Harbor, I went to Coxen Hole, where I met Dr. Hetherington and his wife, just from the States. I stayed with them several days, resting and laying plans. The doctor is kept very busy, and has had several interesting cases, and two or three quite serious ones. Many are coming from the other islands, and he will soon be obliged to have rooms to keep his patients. He is also doing all he can to help the little company there, and I pray that God may bless his work to the good of the souls, as well as the bodies, of the people.

Here in Utilla the work is making some progress. Brother Allen has had a cordial reception among this people, and I believe is doing good. There is a little outside interest. One sister was baptized, and at our next visit we hope to baptize two other persons, a man and his wife. Brother Allen has taken some orders for periodicals, both Spanish and English, and sold some books, and expects to go to the coast soon for a short time. They have thirty-five or forty

paying pupils, and eight or ten who are too poor to pay. Brother Allen is still studying Spanish, and longs to begin his work again among the Spanish people as colporteur.

During this trip I organized three churches, with thirty-nine members, and baptized eighteen; seven others began to observe the Sabbath. I received in tithe $179.80, and in donations $46.15.

H. C. GOODRICH.