WEST INDIES by E. W. Webster

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 26, 1900

WEST INDIES.

By E. W. Webster

TRINIDAD.—The interest our people have had in the work in this island has deserved more frequent reports from the workers. It is not because there has been nothing to report that we have said so little in the Review; but partly because we have been very busy, and also because of the reports in the Missionary Magazine. I hope that all the brethren have read that good journal, and are already informed in regard to the work in Trinidad; so I will write of the present conditions of the work, and mention some of its great needs.

We are all convinced that the Lord is coming soon, and that what is to be done must be done quickly. The sooner we do the work, brethren, the sooner we shall be in the kingdom, enjoying the results of our labors and the joys of our Lord. Then let us give of our time, our strength, our money, our prayers, with more zeal than ever before, to the work of making all nations know that their salvation is near. And even though you may not be personally acquainted with the workers in these far-off lands, toiling alone for perishing souls, you can not tell what a great help it would be to them to receive a letter from you. They may not have time to answer you; but write, not for your own benefit, but for their encouragement. Try it. Some day you may hear that your letter cheered the weary worker over a hard road, and encouraged him to labor on, and you will share in the reward. These laborers are men and women of like passions as yourselves; so just think how you would like to read a good, encouraging letter from those who you suppose are supporting you in your work; then write a cheerful letter to first one in this part of the world, then to another in some other place. You will be surprised to see how your interest will deepen in our mission work all over the world. Perhaps our tract societies can take a hint from this too.

The three organized churches, Port of Spain, Couva, and Indian Walk, are composed of about one hundred and sixty members; while another church of a dozen or fifteen will soon be organized at San Fernando. The tent was pitched in Port of Spain for seventeen weeks. The interest was good, resulting in twenty-six persons being baptized and uniting with the church, while others are keeping the Sabbath. One of these was a devoted missionary, who has gone to work in the message. The tent was pitched in San Fernando for sixteen weeks or more; and although the opposition was severe from the ministers of all other denominations, the Lord so blessed the work that a company of twelve or fifteen are now rejoicing in the truth. We praise the Master for his blessings.

At Couva a church school has been in operation for several months; and the results are already manifest in the children, and also in the parents and the homes. If these brethren rightly appreciate the privilege God has placed before them in this school, they will keep it up, even at great sacrifice, and have their children taught in the Lord's way. The public schools there are filled with corruption.

The church at Indian Walk now has a membership of more than twenty, with a prospect before them of doing much good for those about them. They are engaged in building a church, taking most of the materials from the mission farm, and working them up themselves. It is encouraging to see these churches stand fast with so little ministerial help,—a worthy example to those who are supposed naturally to have more strength of character.

A deserted mission company at Dabadie sent for me to come and minister to them the Lord's Supper. I consented to do so after I had given them some instruction on the subject. After holding meetings for a few weeks, ten or twelve persons accepted the Sabbath, and were baptized and united with the Port of Spain church. Thus the Lord is working, and believers are springing up all over the island. These need the help of at least three ministers continually.

Several thousand dollars' worth of books has been sold on the island. It is a difficult task to sell the large books, as the people are mostly poor. Tracts and small books are readily sold if we are fortunate enough to find the people with a little money by them. The agents plan to deliver or sell all our publications on pay days; for in a few hours the money is gone, and the people have nothing with which to buy. What is greatly needed there, as in all the West Indies, is small, low-priced, illustrated books, written in clear, simple language. This demand must be met before we shall succeed with our literature in these islands as we ought to.

Tobago, eighteen miles east of Trinidad, and a dependency, is being canvassed by two of our native brethren from Jamaica. The Lord has so blessed their work that hundreds of dollars' worth of our books has been placed in the hands of the people. Fruit is being borne already, and soon a minister must go there to develop the interest.

I wish I could tell you how these dear people sacrifice and suffer for the truth, and how they greatly rejoice in it in the midst of all the suffering. I have known many a one to go without a mouthful of food for more than a day at a time for the truth's sake; and scarcely a Sabbath passes but several are present at all the services, without a mouthful of food all day long, and often the day before too. I have known some of them to work till so faint from hunger that they fell exhausted, when they would pray, and then go to work again; and all this, while the children in their homes were also suffering from hunger, rather than give up the truth and go back to a lucrative employment.

You may ask, Why do they not do something else to make a better living? That is more easily asked than answered. The circumstances and conditions are peculiar, and must be seen to be appreciated. While many are willing to exist in any way, if they have a little to eat and wear, this is not the case with all; and when the truth gets hold of them, they become as industrious as any of our people, and if they had the advantages others have, would soon be as independent, and surely as liberal as the best. It is touching to see them bring their tithe and offerings regularly and faithfully when I know they are going without necessary food in order to do so. They have come to me with one cent tithe at a time, two or three times a day, rather than run the risk of using it for food when pressed by hunger or other great need. Such persons need our help and encouragement; and I believe all will regard it a pleasure to give of their more easily earned money to help forward the work among this people.

The tithe of the island for 1899 was $488.47. Having a membership of 141, this gives a rate of $3.46 per capita, or an average of more than three times that of the entire church. Such figures ought to move us to faithfulness, and to do all in our power to help on the work in this needy field.

What are the needs of the cause there beyond their ability to meet?—The first and greatest is that of a church building and mission in Port of Spain. The rent already paid for halls would almost have built a good church and mission, if we had had it all in the beginning. To purchase the lot and put up the necessary buildings will take three thousand dollars. But it will be the best investment that can be made for the work there. People say that we are not a church because we have no church building. Missions are in disrepute, not only because they draw away people from the established churches, but also because of their own misconduct. They get to quarreling among themselves, break up, and often leave their converts to go back to the world or to their old churches. The customs of the established churches forbid anything new or separate from the church. If we had a building to which to invite the people, they would see that we have “come to stay,” which would establish their confidence in our work, and thus enable us to reach more of them; for they do not think it is worshiping God to have “prayers” in any place but a church. Scores of persons in Port of Spain wish to attend our meetings, and would do so, but they regard it a lowering of Christianity to go to an “unconsecrated” hall to worship God. Brethren, what shall be done for this work? We know you love the work, and are interested in it. Will some of you make special contributions for this enterprise?

The next great need is that of more laborers. The tithe and book sales of Trinidad will support two ministers, and one Conference is supporting Elder Crowther. God bless you in helping on the blessed work. E. W. WEBSTER.