W. JAY TANNER by W. Jay Tanner

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 20, 1906

W. JAY TANNER

By W. Jay Tanner

Hayti

CAPE HAYTIEN.—In our last report we mentioned the fact that the third angel's message was stirring things up among the Catholics of Limbé; that we had eight candidates there for baptism; and that the archbishop had gone to that place to assist his priests in quenching the flame of truth. It is now three months since I wrote that report, and I am glad to be able to assure our people in America and elsewhere that we have not merely held our own, but by the help of our Commander have been able to advance upon the enemy. The cause commands even greater respect than then; and the eight candidates for baptism have developed into thirteen good, strong, baptized Adventists, with more to follow. Therefore, it will be seen that the archbishop did us no harm.

Baptism was administered August 8. The day before, a company of seventeen of our people came over from Grande Rivière, on horseback, and a number of others gathered from other parts, making, all told, a very good number of Sabbath-keepers for such a new field. The private room where the meetings are regularly conducted being too small for our needs, the commandant de l’arrondissement gave us the free use of the bureau de la place for the services that we expected to hold for three days in connection with the baptism, a favor which we appreciated very much indeed.

Early on the morning of the eighth, the candidates assembled at the meeting place, for the final hour of counsel, instruction, and prayer, before the burial in “the likeness of His death.” Then, after a simple marriage ceremony on behalf of two of the candidates, all repaired to the riverside, where we found awaiting us, besides a large crowd of people, the commandant de l’arrondissement, with a company of armed police and soldiers, to keep order, if necessary.

The day was ideal, the situation picturesque, and withal the service was most solemn and impressive. This was not, however, the first baptism ever held at Limbé. Over twenty-five years ago, a native Haytian was baptized there by a Baptist minister. That service was held in secret, because of fear of abuse from the Catholic mob. But Providence, in preparation for the final message, has wrought a change in Hayti, and on this last occasion this same man, now bowed down with the weight of years, but rejoicing in new-found truth, stood on the river bank, and watched seven of his family peacefully buried in the watery grave, to arise to walk in newness of life, free at last from the subtle, soul-debasing superstitions of Romanism.

The ordinances, which were held on the Sabbath afternoon, also attracted a great deal of attention, as there was much curiosity to see “how the Protestants take communion.” This curiosity did not prevent an impressive spirit of quiet solemnity in the service, however. After the meeting some were heard to make the remark, “The Protestant way is the best.” But what made the greatest impression was not the fact that the members took the wine as well as the minister, as one might expect, but the Scripture that was read just before the ceremony was celebrated—1 Cor. 11: 23-30. Such is the ignorance in which Rome keeps her adherents, that many never knew the reason for the service before.

The social meeting was likewise a novelty to the people. It was truly a precious occasion, when faults were confessed, and many hearts were melted to tears. For this reason, some confounded it with the Roman Catholic confessional. A Catholic, after meeting, remarked to one of our members that he liked “the open confessional of the Adventists, in which the members confess publicly to their priest,” better than the secret confessional of his church. All the services were full of that life and power that the third angel’s message imparts, and this serves as an explanation of the progress of the cause in Hayti. It is the simple message without embellishment or “new ideas” that is convincing Roman Catholics in this field.