West Indies by W. A. Sweany

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 5, 1908

West Indies

By W. A. Sweany

ST. GEORGE, GRENADA.—We have just returned from a four-days' trip in the country, having spent Sabbath and Sunday at Mt. Rose, holding the quarterly meeting. It was a most 'blessed occasion. I baptized six in our new baptistery. Forty of the fifty-four members were present at the communion service, and several visitors were there; some of these will, we hope, unite with us ere long. A policeman who has been attending regularly for some time, and intends uniting with us, was present, and rendered us some service.

One of the candidates was a schoolmaster,—a splendid fellow physically, mentally, and morally. He was a Catholic, and has to meet the bitter opposition of a large family. He is now assistant teacher in a Presbyterian school. The head master in this school and several other schoolmasters are deeply interested in the truth.

The financial reports were surprisingly good, despite the hard times, being about the same as for the preceding quarter, when the crops were being harvested.

The school continues. We believe the young man conducting it will become an excellent teacher and worker. The same is true of his brother next older, who is assistant master in the government school, under his father. The conversion of this family was among the most directly providential events I have ever seen. I have never known a better family. The parents have educated and trained their children with a thoroughness that is seldom seen in these countries. They have always been earnest Christians, living up to all the light they had, and they joyfully accepted present truth as soon as it was 'brought to their notice. They are far more familiar with the phraseology of the Bible than most Adventists are; and the wonder is (to them and to us) that they have not always seen the present truth in it as they see it now. The father frequently leads the Sabbath meetings in my absence, and I believe he will become a successful worker in this cause, although he still holds his position as head master in a large government school. The parents' greatest desire is to have their children trained for usefulness in this closing work.

We have not yet succeeded in getting a hall here in St. George, but are negotiating for one, which we hope to get soon. In the meantime we are doing all we can, between our country trips, in a

personal way, and find many who are interested. I often talk for an hour with merchants and men of other professions, who listen with the deepest interest to the explanation of the prophecies concerning the present conditions and issues.

We would so much like to send some of our young people to the Jamaica School. But most of them are unable to go there, as they are poor, and it is so far, and the transportation is so high. One young man, an East Indian, will go soon, and others may be able to go later.

Sickness is prevalent, yet we are well. The rains are falling now, and we have great times wading through rain and mud. W. A. SWEANY.