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ALBERT F. PRIEGER

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 27, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 13.

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ALBERT F. PRIEGER

By Albert F. Prieger

From Alabama to Haiti

ALBERT F. PRIEGER

At the request of the Mission Board we responded to the call to take charge of the work in Haiti. We left Alabama with great reluctance, as no one who could take up the work there had been secured. Much to our satisfaction, however, we hear that a worker is there, and that other members are being added to the church that we were privileged by the help of the Lord to build up.
After spending a pleasant day with friends and relatives at Mobile, we left Alabama Oct. 19, 1912, for New Orleans, where we spent several days of pleasant association with the believers. Elder U. Bender, who was then in the States, met us in New Orleans and accompanied us to this field. We enjoyed a safe and pleasant voyage to Havana, Cuba, where we spent four days. While there we enjoyed a prayer-meeting in Spanish, being fortunate enough to have an interpreter. From there we went via the Cuban railroad to Camaguey, and were delighted to meet there Brethren Earl Shidler and Will Spicer, who were canvassing at that place. We then went on to Omaja, where we spent two days with our isolated Sabbath-keepers. While there I was privileged to preach in the Dunkard church on the coming of the Lord. Sister Gustafson, formerly of Sioux City, Iowa, who is a trained nurse, is doing a good work there.
We accepted an invitation from Brother and Sister J. E. Anderson, of Las Tunas, to spend a few days with them, and it was a season of refreshing to all. The school which Brother and Sister Anderson are conducting is a potent factor in giving the message in Las Tunas and vicinity.
From there we went by train to Santiago, where we spent two days at San Juan hill and the Peace Tree and other places of interest connected with the Spanish-American war. It was the last reminder of “home, sweet home.”
On November 8 we embarked for Kingston. We reached there Sabbath morning, and went at once to the church, where we had the pleasure of meeting Elder and Mrs. D. E. Wellman and attending the services. We found a large church of very active members there. We enjoyed our visit at Elder Wellman’s home, and also at Riversdale, up in the mountains, where the headquarters of this union conference is located. The scenery in the mountains is indeed grand. We left there just when a hurricane was at its height.
Returning to Kingston, we left for Port au Prince November 15. The first night at sea was terrible. The storm raged all night with terrific force, and the vessel was a mere plaything in its clutches. However, the next morning was clear and pleasant, and we landed in Port au Prince, Haiti, in safety, for which we were especially grateful to the Heavenly Father who ever watches over and cares for his own.
Brother M. Nord Isaac, one of the native workers, welcomed us in Port au Prince, and rendered assistance in interpreting, etc., whenever necessary. We were kindly provided for by one of our dear sisters, a very charitable woman, who has a successful business there. We found there an earnest company of Seventh-day Adventists who are doing all they can to spread the message to the people of the city and vicinity. As a result of our special services the people were aroused to greater activity. On Sunday two persons were baptized in the bay, and from a recent report two others have since united with our people.
As the believers had been left alone for nearly two years, it was found necessary for us to give instruction in church and Sabbath-school work, which was gladly received by all the brethren and sisters in Haiti. While the work has languished, the native brethren have done nobly in taking care of it as best they could. We left the little company at Port au Prince in good courage.
Sailing from there November 24, we arrived at Cape Haitien the next day. The president of the republic, M. Tancredo Auguste, started on a tour of the country, and sailed on the same boat. Through Brother Isaac we were introduced to the president at his request, and he gave us a warm welcome to his republic.
On arriving here we received a most cordial welcome from all our brethren. Many of them came from the interior, riding horseback from twenty to fifty miles, to welcome the new Pasteur and Madame Pasteur. We find ourselves handicapped greatly in not being able to speak to these people in their native tongue, and are now hard at work on the language.
As our goods were delayed in the United States, we thought best to go to Grand Riviere to spend a few days. When we arrived there Mrs. Prieger became very ill with bilious fever, and we were compelled to return to Cape Haitien. We spent the Sabbath there and found a church of about one hundred members, and twenty awaiting baptism. On our return to Cape Haitien, we secured a comfortable house near the sea, and our goods arrived January 14, so we are now settled.
An urgent appeal came from Port de Paix, about eighty miles west on the coast, and Brother Arioste Pean and I went to that place and spent two weeks. A wonderful revival took place, and nine were buried with their Lord in a watery grave to arise and walk in newness of life. After the baptism six others, witnessing it, decided to obey God, and will be baptized when I return about April 1, the Lord willing. A church of twenty-one members was organized, also a society of Young People’s Missionary Volunteers.
About ten thousand tracts have been ordered from Gland, which we hope to receive soon. We expect to see a great work done here, for the people have the missionary spirit and are willing to work. About eight of our fine native young men have expressed an eager desire to go into the canvassing work as soon as possible. We hope to start them out very soon. At Cape Haitien we have organized a Young People’s Missionary Volunteer Society, and reorganized the Sabbath-school work in three of the churches and companies. I am just now recovering slowly from a three weeks’ illness with the tropical fever, and as soon as I am able I plan to visit the remaining churches and companies to bind up the work.
Do not forget Haiti in your prayers. It has many perplexities and trials, but we intend to press the battle to the gates.