Dominica by Philip Giddings

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 22, 1907

Dominica

By Philip Giddings

(On Sunday, May 5, we baptized two young men, formerly Catholics. A crowd gathered on both banks of the river to witness the scene. Some said if they did not believe the young men would dare to face the crowd, but they were made to see God's truth make bold.

Climbing on a rock whence I could better command the situation, I addressed the assembly. Some were evidently of the sort mentioned in Acts 17:5, but there were others who listened attentively.

In a Catholic village eight miles south of here, some young men have started a Bible club, a strange thing for Catholics to do. The leader told me that he was impressed to do so, believing that somehow, somewhere, help would come.

I spent a few days with them, introducing Bible leaflets, papers, and other literature. Sunday afternoon I held an open-air meeting after their service, and met with them in their club after the meeting.

Unused to the Bible, they know not where to look for its different books, so they decided to start from Genesis, and go through. Surely, they who seek shall find. To see them take their drinks and march into the club with their pipes, to see them searching in the Old Testament for Matthew or Mark, presents a picture of men groping in the dark; but with the grace of God and the aid of the prayers of God's people who read this, we labor to lead some out into the blessed light. Only this week, a woman from that village called to buy a Bible.

Twenty miles from here, a Catholic woman who has been keeping the Sabbath for several months is waiting for baptism, and two others expect to follow soon. A Catholic young man kept his first Sabbath last week. He has difficulties at home, and desires the prayers of God's people that he may be strengthened to overcome.

Two weeks ago an American boat came in on Sunday, and discharged and reloaded cargo. Wharf, customs, and post-office were all busy, as on other days. The editor of one of the papers rebuked the merchants and officials for the “desecration,” and the ministers for their solemn silence. This gave us an opportunity to present the Sabbath. Remember the work here in your prayers.

PHILIP GIDDINGS.