Central America - a Needy Field by Mahlon Wood

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 16, 1909

Central America — a Needy Field

By Mahlon Wood

MAHLON WOOD

CENTRAL AMERICA is one of the most needy fields on the globe to-day, both financially and otherwise, having to depend on the United States for all she uses. Her need spiritually is much greater. With an estimated population of nearly two million and a half, two thirds of this number are in grossest darkness, and have never heard the gospel, while one third do not even know there is a God. There is one tribe yet uncivilized. The people of this tribe believe that when one dies, he continues his work the same as before his death; so all he has, besides his house, is put into the grave with him. There is yet another tribe who believe that their dead become very hungry after eight days, and return for their portion of the good things. So a large feast is made, consisting of rum, pork, and cat, and casava for bread, and carried to the grave. Here it is partaken of by the stronger-hearted among them, or by dogs, so the mourners become satisfied that their loved ones have been provided for.

Let us remember that it is only the third angel’s message that can better these conditions, for although the gospel has been preached to a part of the inhabitants of Central America for over a century, at the present time there is not one native minister, and no native doctors and nurses. They have only a few native teachers. They know nothing of the power and principles of the gospel, and are willing to believe everything except the truth. The children believe that the sooner they drink rum and use tobacco, the quicker they become men and women. To tell them that a hot bath is good for a cold, and a cold bath for a fever, makes them think that you have gone mad. These good people believe that their dead become a “duppy,” and roam about all night, and are capable of doing you great harm if you are found outside your house. In the morning these “duppys” return to heaven or hell, as the case may be. They are greatly afraid of obia and the obia man, and believe that most of the trouble and disasters that happen to them are caused by the obia men or obia women working obia on them. There are many professed obia men and women among them.

This pictures but faintly the great need of Central America for the gospel.