p. 14 | British West Indies by W. A. Sweany

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Apr 15, 1902

British West Indies

By W. A. Sweany

W. A. SWEANY

BARBADOS.—This is the most eastern island of the West Indies group. It is wedge-shaped, tapering to a point at the northern end. Its greatest length is twenty-two miles, its greatest width fourteen miles, and its area one hundred and sixty-six square miles. The population at the last census was 182,867. (It is now said to be nearly or quite 200,000.) Of this number, 15,613 are white, 44,537 mixed, and 122,717 black. Religiously, they are divided as follows: Church of England, 156,539; Wesleyan, 14,485; Moravian, 6,801; Catholics, 816; Jews, 21; other sects, 1,560; not stated, 2,645.

It will be noticed that almost the entire population belongs to the various churches; but nowhere else is the fall of Babylon more marked, or the need of the third angel’s message greater, than here. Seven per cent of all births are illegitimate, and the whole social fabric seems to be fairly reeking with moral rottenness. However, there are, amidst all this pollution, many pure, honest, upright persons. But it must also be said that many in the high circles of society are not entirely above reproach in matters of morality.

In extenuation of the terrible percentage of illegitimacy, it must be said that very many who live together as husband and wife, raising large families, do so with no consciousness of sin, this manner of living being their heritage from the days of slavery. So far as I can learn, there are absolutely no laws, and very little sentiment, against such things. But as soon as the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are heard, all these evil habits and associations end, and the life is purified. Our people here will compare favorably with our people anywhere, and many of them have come up from, and out of, the life already described.

The cause of God in Barbados has been fortunate in being represented by laborers whose means, as well as their time, have been faithfully consecrated to the Lord’s service; and as a result we have a beautiful and substantial white stone church, with iron roof, and a seating capacity of three hundred, standing on our own ground, and all paid for. Owing to the deep poverty of the people, this could never have been realized but for the faithfulness and liberality of the laborers who developed the work here. It was the need of humanity that touched the heart of God, and brought Christ to earth; and a consciousness and realization of the needs of the work throughout the great field will touch hearts and open pocketbooks to do more as nothing else can do. No consecrated servant of God can labor in such a needy field as this without finding himself moved to give to the very limit of his time and means.

The membership of the Bridgetown church is about one hundred and twenty-five, and there are three unorganized companies that hold regular services in the country. Including isolated believers, there are probably nearly one hundred and fifty Sabbath-keepers in the island. Urgent calls come from every direction, and could we but respond to these, companies might speedily be raised up in all parts of the island. Conditions here are such that a large church, in a large city like this, requires the constant presence and attention of a pastor, not for the sake of the members alone, but to look after newcomers and those who may become interested. This makes it almost impossible for me to accomplish much evangelistic work in the country, although I have done something in that direction. If we had one more laborer here, we could speedily sweep the island with the message, and gather a harvest of souls; then go on to some of the other unentered, needy islands that are waiting for the message, many of them being ripe for the harvest.

The regular services of the Bridgetown church are as follows: Preaching, Sunday night, largely attended by those not of our faith, many of whom are deeply interested; missionary meeting; Wednesday night, which is intensely interesting and profitable, because nearly all, old and young, are doing something—selling, loaning, and giving away literature, holding Bible readings, visiting the sick, etc.; prayer and testimony meeting, Friday night, which is a season of such quiet, sweet, soul-refreshing communion with God that all love to be there. Then, of course, we have a regular Sabbath service,—Sabbath school, and preaching, or Bible study. Just now, on Sabbath we are studying the Holy Spirit, and seeking God for righteousness and power, which will enable us to do better service. And truly we are receiving some droppings of the latter rain; but we need, and must have, the showers. Sins are being confessed, and wrongs of long standing are being made right, and as a result there is rejoicing.

We are trying to keep abreast with the Forward Movement; so some phase of the gospel of health is dwelt upon at each of our missionary meetings, and nearly all are putting into practice the truths learned.

The canvassing work is rising again, and the church school is prospering. We are of good courage to press on to continual victory, and to eternal triumph.