West Caribbean Conference by H. C. Goodrich

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 28, 1909

West Caribbean Conference

By H. C. Goodrich

CHANGUINOLA is a tract of level land from ten to twenty miles wide and from fifty to sixty miles long, on the mainland about ten miles from Bocas del Toro, Costa Rica, at the nearest point. It belongs to the United Fruit Company, and a good share of it is planted to bananas. This land is divided into farms of one and two thousand acres each, with a manager over each farm, and men enough to keep the land clean and to cut the fruit and get it out to the road. These farms are all connected by railroad, with branches in every direction to reach all the farms; and as fast as a new farm is opened and planted and begins to bear fruit, the road is extended

to it. At Almirante, a low, swampy place ten miles from Bocas by water, the company have built a wharf where two of their largest ships can load at one time. All their fruit is taken to this place, and often two and three ships are loaded in a single week.

At a place called “Base Line,” sixteen miles from Almirante, Brother J. A. Reid has been laboring for the past year, holding meetings in a very comfortable house, kindly furnished us free of charge by the United Fruit Company. During the year hundreds of dollars’ worth of books have been sold, also a club of one hundred fifty Caribbean Watchman. The seed has fallen on good ground, and many souls are rejoicing in the newly found truth, while others are still in the valley of decision. The writer spent two Sabbaths with these people, and was deeply impressed with their earnestness. Sabbath morning at eight o’clock they began to come, some coming five and six miles afoot. One man, his wife, and two little girls walked nine miles to attend the meeting. Seventeen in all were baptized, and a church was organized of thirty members. Officers were elected, whom we hope to see ordained at our next visit.

At Bocas they have a new church building thirty by forty-five feet, nearly finished, and entirely free from debt, which was dedicated; and an elder was ordained. We celebrated the ordinances, and enjoyed a real season of refreshing from the Lord.

At Old Bank, five miles from Bocas, on another island, we found another church building under way. Here Brother T. M. Brown is working with the church, and there is a good interest to hear the truth. One man decided to obey while I was there. The opposition to our work there was strong, but the question box was well patronized, showing a desire on the part of the people to learn. One was baptized, and others are expected to follow soon.

Bethel is another church, five miles from Bocas on another island. Both Bethel and Bocas have been much reduced by removals, yet they are of good courage and faithful. The rain hindered the first two days, but then the sun came out, and we had a precious season together. Differences of long standing were put away, and nearly all made a new covenant with God and one another to consecrate themselves anew to the work we have to do.

H. C. GOODRICH.