Among the Churches in Jamaica
By F. Hall
It is now ten months since I left Grand Cayman with my family to labor in Jamaica. I have not reported my work during these months. The churches and companies were faithfully visited until July, when death robbed our home of my faithful companion and our baby, leaving three little girls motherless. Five weeks after this sad experience, I went back to my work. At Past Roads, where Brethren A. N. Durrant and L. Mullings labored, I found an organized church. There were a number of strong, consistent believers, but a minority apostatized. Two back-sliders were reclaimed, and eleven were added to the church by baptism. A young people's society was organized, and about five or six candidates await baptism. A church building is now being erected. At Bird's Hill two were baptized. Their chapel is half finished. At Bryant's Hill I found some loyal believers. To this company nine were added by baptism. One Sunday morning I had the privilege of baptizing a grandmother, her daughter, and two grandchildren, with four others. This was a glorious occasion. The river-banks were thronged with spectators, who looked on with interest. Many went away thoroughly convinced that this work is of God. A small company still remains at Freetown. These believers are like the Bereans. Two were baptized. One of them is a student at the Riversdale school. We organized a Sabbath-school of about twelve members. The few believers at Racecourse are struggling to build a meeting-house, many of the stronger brethren having gone to other places. Help is required here. Notwithstanding their perplexities, the remnant are faithful. At Tollgate the company remains the same in membership, struggling against great hardship and persecution. May God help these dear souls to be faithful. The work at Goshen was first started by Brother Brandon, who came from Bocas del Toro. He labored hard at this place until Elder L. Rashford and Brother Collins came with a tent to help him. Several have taken their stand through the efforts of these hard-working, self-sacrificing brethren. A Sabbath-school of thirty-five members has been organized. The people are very teachable. A plot of land has been given, and a church is in process of erection. May God crown the work with success. A Sabbath-school of five members was organized at Old Harbor Bay. The believers are still faithful. I intend to visit them again soon. I had the privilege of baptizing seven of the young people at Mahogany Grove, whom I had left as little boys and girls between the ages of six and fourteen, ten years ago. Two took a stand for the truth for the first time, two back-sliders were reclaimed, and one united with the church by vote. Hearts were melted, and the old-time spirit of the message was felt. After the baptism, the ordinances were celebrated. The believers were all blessed, and went home filled with joy. The church of Spanish Town is not directly under my supervision, but I help here whenever I come home. Brother Wellington Burkley is acting as the leader, and as a result of his earnest, careful instruction, five of the young people were ready for baptism, September 3. The message is still doing its work among us. Its foundation is laid very firmly, and those who take their stand upon it, heart and soul, will be saved.