Cuba by Joseph Clark

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 21, 1906

Cuba

By Joseph Clark

On page eighty-seven of the last Yearbook you will see that the Cuban Mission Field contains a population of nearly two million, and that we have no church building, no school, and no teachers. Our people here are poor, and are kept quite busy to meet expenses and keep out of debt. Nearly all the public schools are very poor, and there are no normal schools to train teachers. They know of the superiority of American schools, and attend where there are any. The president of Cuba taught a private school in New York, and is favorable to private schools. Cuba is a large, long island, seven times the size of Jamaica. There are six provinces corresponding practically to States. It is said that seven thousand Americans have deeds to land in this province. While Cuba is a good place for investors, I do not urge settlers to come here and endure the hardships of pioneering, as they can buy supplies cheaper in their own country and have better schools. We ought to have some workers here who have an income.

In the REVIEWS of March 1 and 8, with the endorsement of our director, I asked any to write me who had any jewelry laid away or had surplus property of any kind. Only seven have written,—one brother has some lodge pins and some sisters have some jewelry that they will not wear again. Are there others? I know that Adventists are a very busy people, and some may not have taken time to write. Will you write now, stating what surplus property you want to put to work? One, in writing in the REVIEW about the recent earthquake said, that nearly all of their relics and keepsakes were destroyed, and adds, “Perhaps we thought too much of them.” Do you? Much surplus property will be kept until we can not buy or sell.

After about three years’ residence in Cuba, I am sure that there is great need of an industrial school here. Some young men who know the language and customs of the people can be converted and trained to carry the message quickly to all parts of the island.

We do not want expensive buildings or much land. We need some oxen to help till the land and some ponies to help carry our Spanish books to the homes of the people scattered in the country where the influence of the priest is not much felt now. Plenty of well-trained teachers can be secured. Only a little help is needed to start a self-supporting work.

Please write to-day. Postage to Cuba two cents, the same as to your next post-office. JOSEPH CLARK.