p. 11 | Central America by H. C. GOODRICH

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 15, 1910

Central America

By H. C. GOODRICH

H. C. GOODRICH

SABBATH, August 6, in company with Brother C. F. Innis, I arrived in Port Limon, Costa Rica. As our steamer stopped at Bocas del Toro a few hours, we had opportunity to attend Sabbath-school, at the close of which I gave a talk on Christian courage. Brother Innis gave a missionary talk in the afternoon.

Cartago, one of the chief cities of Porto Rico, and lying forty-five hundred feet above sea-level, was entirely destroyed on May 4 of the present year, and more than a thousand persons were killed. The beautiful peace palace, built by Andrew Carnegie for the peace congress, at a cost of a million dollars, was utterly destroyed. What a lesson this should be to those who are looking forward to a world-peace, when the nations will learn war no more! At a time when the palace of peace was nearly completed, then sudden destruction came, and there was no escape. God's people should be alert and watchful, able to read the signs of the times, that they may escape the utter destruction that will soon overwhelm the world.

At San Jose we were cordially received by Brother and Sister J. B. Stuyvesant, who made us very welcome at their home for the two weeks of our stay in that city. They have rented a little hall in a central place, where public meetings are held three times each week. Besides this, they handle four hundred copies of El Centinela, and are selling many Spanish books. The meetings were of a practical nature, full of the power of the Spirit of God. Hearty confessions were made by some who had made mistakes; six were baptized; and a church of nineteen members was organized. We left them full of courage, and with a determination to work for the Master.

Coming to Pacuarito, where there is a church of fifty-seven members, widely separated, Brother Innis organized a class of four or five canvassers. One of this company has succeeded well, reporting more than a hundred orders in a single week. This church was much encouraged, and began with a renewed determination to look for a place in the Lord's work, and to do faithfully that which needs to be done.

From here Brother Innis returned to Cristobal, to look after the book work, while I spent a week with the little company of believers in Estrada. We were granted the use of the public-school building for our meetings. These were well attended, and a good interest was manifested. One person was baptized. As this was the first baptism ever witnessed at this place, I gave a little talk on the subject at the water-side. Some, with tears, said, “This is the truth.” Two, a mother and her daughter, began from this time to keep the Sabbath.

September 13 I again reached Port Limon, where we have a church of more than fifty members, and a church building which stands as the result of Elder H. L. Mignott's work here. A tract and missionary society was organized, a club of two hundred fifty copies of Watchman

was taken, and a supply of tracts was ordered.

Sabbath, September 17, I took passage on a little sloop for Cahuita, twenty miles down the coast, where I found a good interest to hear the truth. Several have begun to keep the Sabbath as a result of reading our papers. Three were baptized. It was a precious season. Rings and other jewelry were laid aside, and every one had some tithe to pay. Brother A. E. Connor has gone to follow up this interest, and we hope, in time, to see a church organized here.

Cristobal, Canal Zone.