British Honduras by H. C. Goodrich

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 3, 1903

British Honduras

By H. C. Goodrich

Belize, Ruatan, and Utilla

November 19 I left Belize. I arrived at Coxen Hole, Ruatan, just in time for service, Sabbath morning. Although I had been very seasick, and felt scarcely able to stand, a merciful God was with us by his Spirit, and we had a precious season with the little company. Sunday morning I was well, and again the Lord graciously came near to his people, as we consecrated ourselves anew to his service. One sister bought eleven copies of “Christ's Object Lessons.” A brother took six copies.

At Oak Ridge the brethren have determined to do what they can to enlighten their neighbors, and are selling books and papers, one brother sending in an order for twenty copies of the London Good Health.

At Half Moon Bay my stay was short, but we found some who were willing to work. One brother took six orders for the Review, two for the Signs, one for a Spanish paper, and one for a club of three Little Friends for the Sabbath school. At least one-half of these were for those not of our faith. He also ordered a good supply of books. The believers at this place are just beginning to build a small church, which they have long needed.

Ruatan is a needy field, and the openings for labor there give better promise of results than ever before. I trust that ere long some may be found who can settle in Ruatan to help the little companies there in their work for souls.

Coming to Utilla, we found this little company still holding on. Here, as well as at Half Moon Bay, Ruatan, several had not yet fully overcome the tobacco habit. Some determined at this time to discard the use of the vile weed forever, and we hope to see all in the name of Christ take hold of that freedom that is in him, that when the Captain of our salvation comes, who was made perfect through suffering, he may say of them, “In their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault before the throne of God.”

The church school taught by Brother and Sister Corwin has had a good influence here, and during the meetings we had the pleasure of seeing three of the pupils give themselves to the Lord. We hope that many others will soon make an entire consecration of all their powers to God.

In Belize the work is by no means standing still. Although we have had no accessions of late, we are now in the midst of the week of prayer, and the services are well attended, and are characterized by deep, earnest seeking after God. This morning at the six o'clock meeting nearly every child and young person came forward for prayer, and some gave evidence of an earnest desire to seek the Lord. We have great reason to praise God for what we see of progress in this part of Central America.

A sister from Corosal, who has lately accepted the message, expects to be in Belize the coming week to be baptized. Word has just come of a brother on the Yucatan coast who has accepted the Sabbath by reading. In every place some seem ready to accept the message of truth. But the reapers are few. “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” There are many places, I am sure, where the laborer would find good soil for seeds of truth, and a harvest of souls for the gathering day.

H. C. Goodrich.