E. W. SNYDER by E. W. SNYDER.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 2, 1909

E. W. SNYDER

By E. W. SNYDER.

Cuba

Ever since returning from the General Conference, my time has been occupied in looking after the interests of the work in Marianao and Havana. Although the difficulties are great, owing to the superstition and vice which hold the people in their grasp, the work in this field is slowly but steadily advancing. During the past summer ten persons have embraced the truth, though some of them are not yet prepared for baptism. These live in Havana and its vicinity, and have been brought in through our cottage-meeting work. Our Cuban people living in different parts of the city prepare their front rooms for meeting, and in order to secure an attendance, they visit their neighbors with papers and tracts several weeks before the meetings begin. When the neighborhood is thus made acquainted with the location of the meetings, we, accompanied by our Cuban assistant and a few good singers of the church, open the meetings. We use a Bilhorn portable organ, and the music soon fills the room with people, while a crowd stands at the doors and windows. It is true that the greater part come only through curiosity, but we have always found a few who continue to attend until the good seed bears fruit. In this manner our work is extending more and more, and while the Cuban brethren manifest a spirit to labor in opening the way as they do, we shall never lack opportunities or places for holding meetings.

At our last quarterly meeting, just held, there were twenty-five in attendance, and the spirit of courage and good cheer manifested in the presentation of the envelopes containing the tithes and offerings impressed some of our American people who were present. Although our people are few in number, and quite poor in this world's goods, the total amount for the quarter was about fifty dollars.

From Minas, in eastern Cuba, Brother Holmes writes that there are ten or twelve keeping the Sabbath in his neighborhood, who might be organized into a church. These, as well as the Cuban believers at Omaja, greatly need ministerial help. It is our purpose, if the Lord permits, to spend two months in eastern Cuba this winter. With great patience the American brethren of that section have awaited the response to their plea for a laborer, and now they are greatly encouraged at the prospect of their hope being realized.

The interest shown by our brethren at the head of the publishing department in sending canvassers to help us is also reason for great encouragement to us, as well as the assistance rendered to our field by the Madison (Tenn.) school. Especially are we grateful to the Lord for the prospect of a visit from Prof. E. A. Sutherland this winter, who comes with the object of acquainting himself with our needs, in order to fix the location of several self-supporting schools.

In concluding this report, we would say a word as to the need of establishing our medical work here. We are convinced that Havana, with a population of over three hundred thousand, offers an excellent opportunity for such labor. Already there are several establishments devoted to the “water cure,” and these are flourishing. With the Cuban people of the better class, baths and treatment by hydrotherapy are popular. But another feature in favor of Havana is its growing popularity as a tourist point. Mr. Flagler, of the Florida East Coast Railway, recognizing this fact, is spending millions to extend his road to Key West, in order to connect with Havana by car ferry.

Many of the tourists who come this way every winter come seeking health and recuperation from overwork. Undoubtedly proper treatment-rooms would receive quite a patronage from this class. I would be glad to correspond with any one interested in such an enterprise, if stamp accompanies letter requiring reply. My address is Box 35, Marianao, Cuba.