Central America by H. A. Peebles

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

Central America

By H. A. Peebles

LA CEIBA, SPANISH HONDURAS.—It is now three months since I came to this field to labor. Our force is small, Brother A. N. Allen being the only person in Spanish Honduras who is engaged in actual field work, which consists in selling Bibles and such literature as we have, in caring for the sick, and scattering the seeds of truth by word of mouth wherever possible. Our work is partly self-supporting, and is not without results. Within three months three persons have accepted the Sabbath, and other points of our faith as they have been presented. The self-supporting laborer is often obliged to leave an interest which ought to be followed up, and yet, in spite of the difficulties, nine have accepted the truth since Brother Allen has labored here.

The country is rugged, “mule back” being the only mode of travel in the greater part of it; and as I am told of the dangers encountered in crossing rivers and mountains, exposed to storms, and threatened by lawless men and diseases of various kinds, I can but think of the words of Paul as descriptive of the life of a field missionary in this country: “In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, . . . in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often.”

The two great needs of this country are Spanish literature and a Spanish-speaking minister. We can always sell Bibles, but we need Spanish literature bearing upon the message.

Brother Allen found a lady to whom he had sold a Bible, reading it to a circle of friends. Could something pointing out the message for our time have accompanied the Bible, who can tell what the results might have been? Many are willing to receive instruction, and several are waiting for baptism.

The great need is literature; but Spanish Honduras is not sitting still and begging for that need to be supplied. It is trying to meet this want as best it can. Our native brother, Senor Moncada, is, entirely at his own expense, printing a book containing essential Bible truth. It is not a perfect piece of work, and of necessity is done slowly, with but one man as printer and only a small foot-power job-press, but it is a gift from the heart, and it advances little by little with continual prayers that God will bless it to its purpose. I wish again to say that the great need of this field is Spanish literature and a Spanish-speaking minister. Will not those who love the truth, and desire to see it prosper in these dark lands, pray that these needs may be supplied?

H. A. PEEBLES.