Cuba by Ida M. Carnahan

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 20, 1910

Cuba

By Ida M. Carnahan

Early Friday morning, October 1, I left San Claudio for Marianao, to spend the Sabbath with Brother and Sister E. W. Snyder, and to consider the school work among our native brethren and sisters. This was the time for quarterly meeting. Shortly after breakfast our people began to gather at Brother Snyder’s home. By Sabbath-school time a goodly number were present, several having arrived from a distance, at quite a little expense to them for railroad fare.

I do not know when I have enjoyed a better quarterly meeting than I did that Sabbath. I wish our people in the home field could have seen the union and harmony that prevailed there. One of the most interesting things to me was the presenting of the tithes and offerings, which were no small amounts for poor people. Many of the envelopes showed in their contents that the tithe had been laid out by the real—what we call ten cents in Spanish money. One poor washerwoman brought $5, another $7.35, still another, $4.03, and a sewing girl $3.02. These are hard-working, poor people, yet they are faithful in laying aside their tenth. All took part in the testimony service, as well as in the ordinances.

After the meeting, we talked over the school work, and found several who were anxious to have us take some of their children with us. We have one boy with us at present. We regret keenly that we have no suitable house for these children.

On my return home, Mr. Carnahan failed to meet me at Cabañas with the cart, so I had to remain there during the night. While there, the secretary of the Spanish club presented a request from its members, asking me to open a school there for music and English, offering me the use of one of their rooms, piano and lights free. This I accepted, and began work November 1. There are twenty-five enrolled, twenty-three for English, and four for the piano. Among these is a Catholic priest. These students, which are mostly from seven to eighteen years of age, represent the best families in the town.

Our school in San Claudio also opened November 1. With the applications which have been made for entrance and our present number of students in this place, it looks as if we shall have sixteen or eighteen. Our Cuban boys are coming from two or more miles away.

I am teaching from 8 A. M. to 1 P. M. Then I ride horseback seven miles to Cabañas, to begin my music at 4 P. M., which lasts until 9:30, with an hour’s rest at six o’clock. At 1:30 my daughter, Ina, takes the Cuban students, helping them with their lessons for the next day.

We had no way to travel back and forth, so I called upon the mayor of Cabañas, and laid the situation before him, asking him to rent me a saddle-horse. Instead of renting it, he said, “I am going to lend you one.” Accordingly, he wrote me an order to give to the man who has charge of his stock, to let me have the most gentle horse he had, for an indefinite time.

We are glad for the interest manifested in our school, and thankful for the confidence of the natives. We have met with bitter trials and perplexities. If we had consulted our own feelings, we should have laid down the burden and responsibility, and taken up other work. But we have gone steadily forward, seeking for light and wisdom, that we may make no wrong moves. Our effort is only in its infancy. Our accommodations and conveniences are poor and few, but we are doing the best we can under the circumstances, looking forward to the time when we can have a building that will be a credit to the message.

MRS. IDA M. CARNAHAN.