Jamaica, West Indies by W. G. Kneeland

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 4, 1907

Jamaica, West Indies

By W. G. Kneeland

As we near the end of time, the Lord permits the church to be surrounded with adverse circumstances which are calculated to unite our interests by the fellowship of sufferings, and to center our affections on things eternal, instead of upon the things of this world. Recent experiences in Jamaica have shown us more clearly than ever before the object of trials, and how “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” The rapid growth of the work in Kingston demanded buildings and a location more suitable for our work there. The earthquake, Jan. 14, 1907, made it necessary to arrange at once for another place. A good location has been secured, and we are doing our best to erect a building.

Wages have improved somewhat on account of the demand for labor to repair the ruined city. Our people with hardly an exception are taking advantage of this, not to rebuild their own homes, but to provide first for the house of God. Although nearly all our churches and companies in the island have either to repair their damaged church buildings or are about to build new ones, all have agreed to do what they can to assist Kingston in putting up a suitable church and school building. However, the financial condition of our people and the increased price of building materials will make the burden very heavy to carry alone. There are many of our churches in other places already provided with comfortable buildings who should esteem it a privilege to assist this young conference in its time of great need. “That now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality.”

The recent disaster has made it easy to attract the attention of the people to the message for this time. Nearly every church and company report additions to their number. Over ninety were baptized during the month of February, and fifty-seven in March, and many others would have been had it been possible for our little band of workers to reach them promptly.

We greatly need a tent to enter the many large villages yet unwarned by this message, but no funds are in hand for it. As the work must go forward, we have decided to order one, believing that our people will respond liberally for this enterprise. With so much to be done in church buildings, in assisting our industrial school, and in the procuring of new tents in place of those worn out by long service, it is evident that help would be much appreciated by the conference. All donations for any of these enterprises should be sent to our conference treasurer, H. H. Cobban, Bog Walk, Jamaica.

The Lord is blessing us with health and strength, and we are doing our best to visit our people and develop the work. General meetings for instruction in all kinds of missionary work are being held in the various districts as fast as possible, with good results.

W. G. KNEELAND.

Spanish Town.