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Haiti and the Syrians

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

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 50.

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Haiti and the Syrians

By W. J. Tanner

SOME time ago one of our workers in the Orient, in a report to the REVIEW, suggested that a good work could be done for the Syrians in America, by giving a little attention to the circulation of our Arabic literature among the thousands of these people who live in our large cities. I do not know how far this suggestion has been followed, but I want to say that it is a good one. We have a great many of these people in Haiti; in fact, the larger share of the retail business is in their hands. About two years ago one of them asked me if I could not secure an Arabic Bible for him. I did so, and he began reading it, to learn whether we are right in our views. After becoming thoroughly satisfied on this point, he closed his store on the Sabbath, and then asked for baptism. From what I know of his former life, and of his present manner of living, I believe that his conversion has been thorough.
When passing through New York on my way back to my field from the General Conference, I secured, at our office in that city, a quantity of our Arabic tracts. These I have circulated as best I could since my return, and they have made no small stir among the Syrians who have read them. One man of this nationality has promised to rent a hall in which to hold a series of meetings in Port au Prince, a proposition which we expect to accept. And here at the Cape a young Syrian of considerable intelligence is arranging his business so that he can fully identify himself with us.
As to our work among the Haitians themselves, we have no reason to be discouraged. I feel especially pleased to note the spiritual progress these poor people are making. One who has never been in Haiti can scarcely realize to what depths the masses have fallen; yet when individuals embrace this last message, it works miracles upon them. Many not of our faith are beginning to note this, and we hope that as time advances, our work will establish itself still more firmly in the hearts of the believers.
W. J. TANNER.
Cape Haytien.