Porto Rico by B. E. CONNERLY

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 12, 1903

Porto Rico

By B. E. CONNERLY

MAYAGUEZ.—We are beginning to speak a little Spanish. We enjoy the study of the language very much, only we sometimes wish that the process might be hastened, as at Pentecost. We have decided, while our tongues are yet dumb so far as the language is concerned, to give the message by means of a paper. And as the people do not seem to care for our papers published elsewhere, we have started one of our own. It has created no small interest and stir here, as it is the first Protestant religious paper on the island. We secured the names of over seven hundred teachers, and are sending them sample copies, also a personal letter calling their attention to the department in education. We are very sanguine of the success of the paper, and shall fill it with the message of God for this time. We have had to stand by the printer’s side almost continually, to teach him how to do the work, as it was all new to him; and as we see the paper now, we conclude most assuredly that the Lord has blessed it already.

The workers of other denominations here seem to fear that our presence is an infringement upon their rights, and we can hope for no encouragement or assistance from them. We are glad to launch our paper first, though we expect that it will soon be followed by others from these other sources. The office where our paper is printed is besieged by people wanting to see that new paper on Protestant religion, and many requests have already been made for us to write on this, that, or the other subject, comparing our views with those of the Catholics. Next month we plan to add a health department, and send a copy to all the doctors.

We are having good experiences, and long for the time when a strange language will not bind our tongues from speaking the message for which these people are asking. We are delighted to have some interested ones attend our Sabbath-school. Pray for us when you are asking for workers to go into these needy places. B. E. CONNERLY.