HENRY F. BROWN by Henry F. Brown

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 1, 1914

HENRY F. BROWN

By Henry F. Brown

Cuba

In a recent visit Elder A. N. Allen, our superintendent, asked me to write something on the needs of Cuba. I can only tell of one city, which will, I believe, be a fair sample of the whole island.

Matanzas is a city of about sixty thousand inhabitants, and is one of the principal ports of the island, being the third city in size. As yet nothing has been done here by us except to sell a few books. A number of copies of the health book were sold, and now I am endeavoring to deliver my summer's orders for “Patriarchs and Prophets.”

A family became interested in our message through a colporteur who was here some months ago. I have been holding weekly studies with them, and they have come out of indifferent Catholicism to the happiness of the truth. This man and his wife, his sister and her son, and the aged aunt, are all intensely interested in the truth. Recently his earnest words were, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The wife is a music teacher, and has classes of school-teachers who can meet only on Sabbath. This was a trial to her, as they need the money thus earned. But today she gave no classes, having decided that God's promise, “No good thing will be withheld from them that walk uprightly,” is sure enough. They say the Bible has answered every objection, and whereas all was once dark before them, “a more sure word of prophecy” has been “a light that shineth in a dark place,” and the future is bright before them.

While canvassing this city, I found five or six splendid openings for Bible study. This is very encouraging, for such an opportunity is seldom found in Catholic countries. There is work enough here to keep one busy for a year. Elder Allen's reply to my suggestion of sending some one to follow up the work is that there is no one to send.

Cuba needs ministers who can present the truth in an attractive way; we need men and women who can find an entrance to the homes of the upper classes. These homes are open to the right person, but it requires a large amount of tact and the guidance of the Spirit of God to work for this class of people.

Many books have been sold, but no evangelistic work has been done. This work should be undertaken at once. Will some one be impressed that the Cuban field is ripe ready for the harvest, and pray for workers to be sent?