A Memorial for God by GEO. F. ENOCH.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 16, 1902

A Memorial for God

By GEO. F. ENOCH.

“We all need to be wide-awake, that, as the way opens, we may advance the work in the large cities. We are far behind in following the instruction to enter these cities and erect memorials for God.”—Mrs. E. G. White, in Review of Sept. 30, 1902.

As we read this quotation, our hearts were cheered, for we knew that this was but another assurance that the Lord is pressing home to the hearts of his people the needs of his cause.

We wish for a moment to call attention to the needs of our city. Port of Spain is a thriving city of about seventy thousand inhabitants, and is fast becoming a center for the commerce of the West Indies and the north coast of South America. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the West Indies, with good asphalt streets and an abundance of trees, and large, well-situated savannahs, used as public squares or parks.

The third angel’s message has been preached here for some time, and we have a church membership of one hundred and twenty-five. In “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. VI, page 100, we find this statement made by outsiders: “These people have no church, and you have no place of worship. You are a small company, poor and unlearned. In a short time the ministers will go away, and then the interest will die down. Then you will give up all these new ideas which you have received.” This is the main argument against us, and in this land of state churches, with a people accustomed to such an order of things, especially in view of the fact that wandering missionaries from the Eastern States have done that very thing, it appeals to the people with peculiar force. A man of means in one of the Eastern States has erected a church building in one of the West Indies, where the poor people can be gathered, and instructed in the Word of God as he understands it. Now if others have such an interest in these fields, why are there not those in our ranks who can do as much?

We have some good news for our people. A lot, well located, has been purchased, on which we expect to build a monument for God. Two of our veteran missionaries are sweetly resting in the city cemetery, with very humble monuments to mark their resting place. Why cannot we rally and erect a suitable monument for God and for them in the form of a humble place of worship on this lot that we have purchased?

Our meetings are well attended, and there is a general interest throughout the city. We have had two baptisms this year, and we now are organizing the third class of candidates. Honest souls are rejoicing in the light of present truth, and sinners are being won from the world to Christ. Who will help to place this work on a firm basis by sending to the Mission Board a contribution for the Port of Spain church building?

GEO. F. ENOCH.