British Virgin Islands by L. E. Wellman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 9, 1902

British Virgin Islands

By L. E. Wellman

L. E. WELLMAN

OUR field of labor, the British Virgin Islands, lies about one hundred miles directly east of Porto Rico. The group consists of the two principal islands of Tortola and Virgin Gorda, and many outlying keys, the largest of which are Anegada and Jost van Dyke. The largest of the group is Tortola, where are located the government office and the residence of the commissioner. Government affairs are directed, in the main, by the governing body in the Leeward Islands.

The people of Tortola, unlike the inhabitants of nearly all the other British West Indies, own their own land, and are consequently independent of landlords and estate owners, who almost invariably oppress and tyrannize over those who are dependent upon them for the necessities of life.

The soil, although very stony, is quite fertile, and produces good crops of sugar cane, bananas, plantains, sweet potatoes, yams, etc. All crops have been much injured by prolonged drought, however, this year. Stock raising is also quite generally practiced, nearly every family having several head of cattle.

The whole island is rough and broken, high mountains running from end to end. The roads can scarcely be called such, being mere paths over the mountains or along the seacoast. Communication between different parts of the island is carried on by people on foot, on horseback, or in small sailboats.

We landed in Road Town, July 1, 1902, and immediately began to arrange our home and meeting room, that we might begin aggressive work. We have regular services on Sabbath, Sunday afternoon, and Tuesday evening, and the rest of our time is spent in holding meetings and visiting in the country districts. Already we have two regular appointments in the east end of the island, and one in the west end, and many invitations in other parts, which we shall accept as soon as we can arrange to do so. We have not yet spoken publicly upon the Sabbath question, but some have been inquiring privately, and six have already begun to obey, and we expect that others will take their stand for the truth soon.

Elder Haysmer was with us in August for a visit among these islands. We went over nearly the whole of this island on foot, visiting from house to house, getting acquainted with the people, and distributing reading matter to all who would receive it. We found nearly every one friendly.

We also paid a visit to Anegada, a coral reef lying about forty miles northeast of Road Town. This island, once so destructive to the noble ships sailing in these waters, is very flat, nowhere rising more than twenty-five or thirty feet above sea level, and completely surrounded by hidden shoals and treacherous reefs. Several hundred people live here. Crossing the Anegada channel, twenty-one miles wide, in a small, open sailboat, even in pleasant weather, is not an enviable trip, but when a storm breaks upon one, it is not only disagreeable, but dangerous.

We left Road Town about half-past two on Sunday morning, with scarcely enough wind to carry us out of the harbor; but once outside, we found more than we wished for, and by the time we reached the channel, a storm was upon us. Waves continually broke over us, and, although protected with waterproofs, our clothing was well soaked. After six hours' battling with the storm, we cast anchor in quiet waters about a mile off shore, and were carried the rest of the way in a rowboat, and on the back of one of the men, it being impossible to come up to the shore in a boat. We were indeed glad to get on warm, dry clothing, after being so long exposed to winds and waves.

That evening Elder Haysmer was invited by the Wesleyan local preachers to speak in their chapel, which he did, the house being well filled with attentive listeners. The Wesleyan pastor, resident in Road Town, was not well pleased, however, and has notified us that any further acceptance on our part of such invitations means prosecution. We held two other services in the open air, visited nearly every family, distributed much literature, and returned, feeling that we had spent a most profitable time.

While there, I promised to come again as soon as possible, and during the last days of September I made them another visit. I had a profitable and enjoyable time, visiting and talking with the people, who seemed very glad that I had returned for a few days. I also held four services with them, having an attendance of about three hundred each night, and it was with reluctance that I left so soon, being compelled to do so by appointments here.

I believe that a tent should be pitched in Anegada at once. The Lord has many precious souls there waiting for light. I do hope that arrangements can be made soon to hold a longer series of meetings there, for I am sure it would result in many accepting the fullness of his Word, and walking in the light of the third angel's message.

The Lord is leading, and we are of good courage. Pray for us that we may have wisdom, that we may be the instruments in God's hands of bringing to many a saving knowledge of the truth.