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Porto Rico

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 7, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 40.

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Porto Rico

By Millie E. Steele

MAYAGUEZ.—We arrived in San Juan, Porto Rico, August 7. We remained there until August 11, then came on to Mayaguez, where we are now located. This place is said to contain about twenty-five thousand people, but the way it is laid out makes it difficult to find them. There is nothing nice here, not even a small park. In San Juan we stopped in a hotel in front of the Plaza Cristobal Colon. On Saturday evening several wheelbarrow loads of rocking-chairs were placed there for the accommodation of the public. Some of the old houses, like Moro Castle, are quite interesting.
San Juan is the capital of the island, though not the largest city. Although we have spoken the Spanish language for several years, we have a little difficulty in understanding these people, as their way of speaking is different from that of the people of South America. Things also have different names. We have not seen one Adventist as yet, in fact, there are none here in Mayaguez, and very few in all the island. Mr. Steele is anticipating a trip to Arecibo soon. Two women there are keeping the Sabbath, and holding a Sabbath-school of four members.
We have not been able to do much yet, having been not quite a month in the island; but we hope, with God's help, not only to cultivate the seed that has already been sown, but to sow much more. It means labor, and it is only by the help of the Lord that it can be done. There are many Spiritualists and freethinkers here.
It is difficult to find a house suitable for holding meetings. Rents are quite high. The house we have rented has a room large enough to accommodate about fifty people. If we can succeed in filling it, we shall be happy. We have held two Sabbath-schools; the first time we had four persons besides ourselves, the second time six were in attendance. We earnestly pray that the number may increase, and that we may be given wisdom to teach them the right way. We are not here just for the crowds, but by the help of the Lord to teach the truth; better that only one soul be saved than that thousands be deceived.
MILLIE E. STEELE.