Northwestern Jamaica by J. A. Strickland

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 21, 1904

Northwestern Jamaica

By J. A. Strickland

It was my privilege to meet with four companies of believers during the week of prayer, and never before in my experience have these annual services seemed so sweet and solemn, and the presence and power of God been felt in so perceptible a manner. Deep heart searchings, followed by confessions, and seasons of seeking the Lord, prepared us for the happy outbursts of praise and thanksgiving and soul-stirring reconsecrations, which made our souls rejoice as we feasted on the rich spread of spiritual things that God gave us on those occasions.

Sabbath, December 19, at the close of an early morning prayer-meeting in Montego Bay, I mounted my bicycle to go to Mount Carey, eight miles distant in the mountains, arriving there in time for their Sabbath-school at ten o'clock. An earnest, growing company are pressing forward in faith and much prayer, proclaiming the third angel's message at that place. Sunday morning it was my privilege to bury in baptism seven precious souls, who say they have chosen to suffer afflictions with the people of God for the present, and afterward enjoy the pleasures of Christ's kingdom forever. Seven services were held with the Mount Carey brethren; very large crowds were present at each evening meeting, and indications were that the Spirit of God had impressed hearts with the importance and truth of the message.

Tuesday morning I pressed forward, sixteen miles farther in the mountains to Ax and Adz. My strength was hardly sufficient for the trip I undertook, as I had been out of bed only a few days, having been prostrated for two weeks with a tropical fever (the first sickness I have had in the last twenty-four years). The hot sun seemed to stream down with double power. I grew faint, and O, so thirsty! No visible help was near, but He who is “as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land,” was there. Water is very scarce in many parts of Jamaica, the people often carrying all they use for miles, sometimes as far as ten or fifteen miles. The Lord helped me, my thirst was forgotten, my strength returned, and I reached my destination safely, where I was soon rested and refreshed in body and spirit.

A company of about twenty-five are standing bravely for the truth at Ax and Adz, having come out of great tribulation, and encountered persecution every step of the way. The brethren there have grown used to taunts, jeers, ridicule, and abuse, but in addition to those favorite weapons of the enemy of truth, force has also been employed to overthrow the work of God. When the company attempted to provide a place of worship, what they built up in the day would be torn down at night, but still they toiled and prayed and trusted until success crowned their efforts. Tuesday night when we had assembled for worship, a crowd of angry and excited men and women surrounded the little meeting-house, and with wild shouts, yells, and threats began to stone the building. Showers of stones fell upon the roof, and struck the house from all sides. The door and wooden window shutters had to be closed for protection. One elderly sister was hit upon the ankle with a stone about as large as my two fists, inflicting a painful but not serious wound. We asked the Lord to take the mob in charge, and then left those who were disturbing us entirely with him. They continued to assail the house for about twenty minutes, and then suddenly ceased their attack, and began to retreat into the darkness of the surrounding hills. We knew that the angels of the Lord were closing in their ranks around us, and forcing back those who sought to do us hurt. Think you not we realized the goodness of God, and praised him for his protection? We were not molested again that evening, nor at any subsequent service. The occurrence reminded us of the words of the psalmist, “But let those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”

I left Ax and Adz, Thursday morning, to rejoin the brethren at Montego Bay, and after spending two days with them, went on to Orange, to pass the last day of the week of prayer with the little company there. The brethren at each of the four stations I visited are pressing together, and by words and deeds declare their belief that the end of the journey is just a little way ahead. Much remains to be done yet, and our resources, which have always been limited, were sadly reduced by the great hurricane that swept our island. Poverty, distress, suffering, and discontent prevail everywhere. As we view the situation, which appears so unfavorable for quick, aggressive work, the thought sometimes arises, Will Jamaica be ready when the other fields have closed their work, and are coming in with their sheaves? Yes, by God's help it will. We know that in his strength all things can be accomplished.

J. A. STRICKLAND.