Guadeloupe Island, West Indies
By Philip Giddings
I AM here for the purpose of scattering literature, and it affords a fine opportunity for conversing with individuals. In stores, in shops, in homes, we encounter many. Some from sheer curiosity, a few, I hope, from real interest, ask Bible questions and questions concerning Protestantism. A privilege which I have enjoyed, is that of reading the Bible to merchants, who often leave their business to listen, while customers come in from the novelty of the thing, I suppose; for they do not care to have it repeated. I met two such merchants last week, and for about twenty-five minutes they asked all the questions the time would allow, while I tried to answer them from the “oracles of God.” The Bible is now being sown here by the American Bible Society. A letter from the agent of the Antilles gives the glad sentence: “I trust in the future there may be no dearth of Bibles either in Martinique or Guadeloupe.” Of course, some are such complete strangers to the Book that when they buy it, they do not know how to read with profit; and when the novelty of possessing it is over, they let it alone. Some inquire for the 109th Psalm. I have been asked more than once, “How much would you charge for reading a chapter for me?” This they want, not for edification, but for malice (witchcraft), to bless themselves with some earthly gain, or to curse somebody against whom they may have a grudge. Thus by their superstition would they turn the Book from which Paul preached into one like those he caused to be burned. Being accustomed to do that with their candles, they think it can be done with God’s light as well. Some seem to attach the idea of charm to the mere presence of the Bible in the house. An old friend of mine whose coconut-tree fell, and who might have been killed had it hit him, attributes his good luck to a Bible that he had bought. An old woman, however, took serious objection to the Book, saying it was the “Protestant Bible,” which pays no reverence whatever to Mary. So thoroughly has the Catholic Church impressed the people with the idea that they can not understand the Bible, that even the most intelligent give up the task before trying it. The directeur of one of the boys’ schools, who ordered a Bible after I had read some plain scriptures, said he could not understand; it must be explained. The book that I am trying to scatter is “Vers Jésus” (Steps to Christ). I can think of no other book published by our people that is so well adapted to the requirements of these people, leading them step by step toward Christ, in language so simple and beautiful that it pleases them, and at the same time ministers to their spiritual necessity. Why should “apples of gold” be put in anything other than “pictures of silver”? I met a woman here who fourteen years ago read one of our books on an English island. Her father was a preacher, and her brother is a minister in the States. On reading the book, she said: “If ever I change my religion, it will be for that which this book represents.” For twenty years she has lived here. Friends have repeatedly urged her to join the Catholic Church, but she said she could not. When I came here selling tracts, and she found out I was a Seventh-day Adventist, she said her day had come. The husband, though in no way opposed to her, has not yet found faith to settle the question for himself. We have a Sabbath-school consisting of a mother and three daughters, and another woman. I take this occasion to ask any of our people who may have clean copies of our French periodicals, or any other French literature which they would like to donate to the work here, to send them postpaid. They would be thankfully received, and put to good service. My address is Guadeloupe, Pointe a Pitre, Vis-a-vis de l’Externat des Sœurs, West Indies. Mrs. Giddings looks after the work in Dominica. Remember the work here in your prayers, that we may have successful efforts in sowing the printed page.