SINCE I have now been in this field one year, I will write a short report of our work for the REVIEW. I am very glad to be here, for I am sure this is where the Lord would have me. This is home to me, and I feel perfectly satisfied so far as the field and the work are concerned. The only difficulty is my inability to do what I see is to be done before the work closes.
WORKERS IN THE CENTRAL AMERICAN CONFERENCE
When I look into the faces of these dear people, all darkened and marred by sin, and think that there are nearly nine millions of them in our field, my heart almost sinks within me. In Guatemala alone there are about seven hundred fifty thousand.
The English part of our field, especially the Bay Islands, has been quite thoroughly worked; but until recently the Spanish portion has been practically untouched. The seven churches and companies are on the English side; and I have had the privilege of visiting them only once this year. Once in a while I get a letter from them, in which they speak of the rich blessings they enjoy from the Lord, and how the work is growing. Each company seems to be full of life and courage. They write many letters that I never receive, neither do they receive all my letters, owing to the uncertainty of the mail service in this country. It can be readily seen that it is difficult to keep in close touch with one another. The war, which has been raging in Spanish Honduras for the last year, has made traveling in that part of our conference impossible. I am now planning to visit all our churches and companies before camp-meeting, which will be held June 8-18.
The work here in Guatemala City is getting well started, and some are taking a stand for the truth. We are holding Sunday-night Bible studies, and they are quite well attended. We found preaching unsatisfactory; so we are giving Bible readings, letting each one who will take a Bible, and read the references for himself.
The people like this plan much better than preaching. We go slowly, and give all time to find the text to be read, so each one can know for himself what it says. This is much slower than preaching, but I am sure it will prove a better plan. Those who accept the truth seem to have a good spiritual experience. The real life of the message seems to be prompting them, and they, in turn, are reaching out for others.
On my first trip to the west coast, some months ago, I failed to make the proper change of trains, and consequently traveled a whole day's journey north of the place where I wanted to go. I could not understand why this mistake should be made, causing me to lose two days. But the next day, while retracing my steps, I met a young man who could speak some English. I talked with him for some time, telling him about the message and the work to be accomplished by it. He seemed interested in what I had to say, so I proposed to write to him, and send him some literature. He became deeply interested. I invited him to come to the city, and14study with us. This he did, and he has now taken a firm stand for the truth, and will soon be ready for baptism. He and his family are the first-fruits of the message in Guatemala.
Brother W. E. Hancock had a similar experience with a lady whom he met on the boat as he returned from the States. She is now keeping the Sabbath, and is taking her stand on every point of doctrine as fast as it is given to her. We thank God for these precious souls, and give him all the glory. The Lord has many ways of reaching those who are seeking for light.
The Guatemala English School is the only institution we have in this conference. We are glad to say that it is doing well. We have nearly one hundred pupils this year, and most of them are making good progress in their work. Brother J. G. Pettey, who is in charge of the school, is doing splendid work, and seems to have the confidence of the patrons. He is very enthusiastic in his work, and this tells in the upbuilding of the school, also in other departments of work. The school is now more than self-supporting, and we hope that it will be able to turn over a surplus to the conference at the end of the year.
Our workers are enjoying good health, and all have their hands full. It is true there are perplexities to meet, but they are small compared with the joy of being connected with the last great gospel message to be given to the world.
We need some good, strong young men, who have been tested, and proved to be men who will stay with the work through evil as well as good experiences. We have excellent territory on the west coast of Guatemala, with all Salvador, where canvassing could be successfully done. If we had two or three young men, such as described above, to take up canvassing in this territory, it would be a great help in developing this field.
