A West Indian Experience by E. W. Webster

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1910

A West Indian Experience

By E. W. Webster

E. W. WEBSTER

I REMEMBER that while laboring in the West Indies years ago, we had a poor blind sister who was dependent upon the church. Its members furnished her a room in which to live, and carried her food by turns, or gave her a penny as they could spare it. Sister B. was happy in her Father's love, and trusted him and the church.

One day the deacon’s wife called to sell Mrs. Webster some fruit.

Mrs. Webster said, “Well, Sister M., how are you this morning? and how is Brother M.?”

She replied, “I am well; and my husband is tolerably well, only this was his day to give Sister B. her portion, and as he had only a threepence this morning, he just sent it to Sister B., and went to his work without his breakfast. But he is well, praise the Lord, and happy.”

At another time we were raising a fund with which to get some tracts for the church to use in missionary work in the city. All were anxious to do something. Even the children caught the enthusiasm. Some gave a shilling, some more, some less. What one little girl of eight said when she brought her offering is only a sample of what many others did:—

Elder: “How did you get so much money? Did it not take you a long time to earn all this?”

Girl: “You see, elder, I worked for mama, and she gave me some pennies. Sometimes I sold some sweets, or some tracts and papers, and sometimes I said to mama, ‘Mama, give me my penny for my breakfast this morning [they often gave them a penny and let them go out and buy their food]; I want to take it for my pledge to the tract fund. I will go without eating to-day.’”

This spirit prevailed largely in the church at that time, and a good harvest was gathered from the effort a few weeks later. Do you wonder?

Tampa, Fla.