South Caribbean Conference by N. H. POOL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 6, 1916

South Caribbean Conference

By N. H. POOL

N. H. POOL

In closing our work for the year 1915, we see many evidences that the arm of the Lord is not shortened, and have many reasons for praise and thanksgiving. The final statement shows that two new churches were organized, and 378 converts added to the membership, as compared with 132 in 1914. One church building was dedicated. While war conditions have prevailed and times in general have been hard, yet our tithes and offerings have not fallen off.

CHIEF JEREMIAH'S HUT WHERE ELDER O. E. DAVIS DIED

There were sold during the year $4,700 worth of books, $3,000 worth being Spanish books placed in Venezuela. We have had no regular bookman, so feel that we have made a very small showing in the sale of publications as compared with the great opportunities that lie before us. With a man to devote his time to that work, we are hoping for better results this year.

The school work is struggling against many difficulties, yet we have held our own, and the prospects are brighter for the future, as we started one new school in January.

Our medical work took an advance step during the year. Dr. Charles Cave, of Barbados, who had been laboring under difficulties because of lack of room, was enabled to make a change for the better. He has secured a fine property . It was the surgeon's quarters when the army was stationed there, a very substantial building facing the Atlantic Ocean, with fine beach and sea bathing. With the renown that Barbados has as a health resort, there is good reason to believe it will be an excellent place for our work.

When we compare what has been accomplished with the great needs of the field, it seems insignificant. With a territory larger than three union conferences, or equal to three fourths of the territory east of the Mississippi River, with six distinct races and languages (at present we are carrying on work with three, the English, French, and Spanish), and two missions among the American Indians of British Guiana, it would seem this is quite a large mission field.

There was a call for Brother H. Beck to visit a company of Indians on the Berbice River, in British Guiana. A little later it was my privilege to visit them in company with him. We were agreeably surprised to find that some were obeying the truth and desired baptism. They had a church building partly erected , and promised that they would build a mission house if we would send them a missionary. The church is now completed and waiting for dedication. They still wish to build a house for the missionary.

In the Guianas and Venezuela there are great numbers of these children of the forest, who for some reason have a very strong impression that the Lord is coming soon. They are desirous of having some one teach them the truth as we know it. At present we have some young people at our Tapagruma mission who are studying and making the needed preparation, so that when we have a missionary to send to the interior, they may assist as guides and interpreters. They are acquainted with the people and country where Elder Davis died. The accompanying picture of Jeremiah's hut, and beside it Brother Davis's grave, was obtained on this visit into the interior of British Guiana.

Besides these Indians, we have the Dutch and East Indians, for whom we are doing practically nothing. But we cannot turn aside from the duty that faces us at every turn.

We are glad to welcome new workers as they come to the field, and trust that with a united effort many may yet be gathered as trophies of redeeming love. We are praying that the Lord of the harvest will send forth many more laborers into these dark places.