THE CENTRAL AMERICAN FIELD: ITS NEEDS AND WORKERS by George F. Haylock, Jr.

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Feb 19, 1901

THE CENTRAL AMERICAN FIELD: ITS NEEDS AND WORKERS

By George F. Haylock, Jr.

The Central American field comprises the republics of Guatemala, Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and the colony of British Honduras. The Bay Islands, off the coast of Honduras, are included in the republic of Honduras. The total population of this field is about four millions. The people are principally of Spanish descent, and speak that language. British Honduras, with the Bay Islands, and the Atlantic coast of Nicaragua,—formerly known as the Mosquito Reservation,—are exceptions to this rule. Most of the people speak English, and regard themselves as English subjects. The English-speaking people number less than one hundred thousand. It is among these people that, so far, the message has been sounded in this region. The workers have done their work well. Most of the English-speaking people have had an opportunity to receive the message.

Since coming to the United States I have found that Central America is little understood, even by the well-informed among our people, those, at least, with whom I have come in contact. At the Michigan camp-meeting, after speaking about the Central American field, one of the sisters visited our tent, and in conversation with my wife said that she was glad we came from the Bay Islands, and she expressed surprise that we looked like other people. It is taken for granted that the people of the Bay Islands are descendants of aborigines. The fact is, the people of these islands are settlers, representing several countries, chiefly the British West Indies.

The message has not yet been given to those who really represent the Spanish-speaking people of the five republics of Central America. So far as I know, not a single citizen of either republic, has accepted the truth. The field has never been worked. The method of procedure will have to be very different from that adopted in working for the English-speaking people of the coast and the islands. Among them, merely preaching the truth will have little results. The medical missionary work I believe will have the best results. If a medical institution, backed up by an industrial school and a printing press, could be established in the central state, Honduras, there would be a nucleus, from which the work could be extended to the neighboring republics. The Seventh-day Adventist young men in the islands would, I feel sure, gladly prepare themselves to take part in establishing the truth among these people if they had an opportunity, and were given help and encouragement. Our people in the islands have thought they could be only sailors, fishermen, banana-growers, wood-butchers, cocoanut peelers, etc. They have had reason for thinking this.

I am convinced that the young men of these islands would make acceptable laborers in any branch of our work. The only difference between them and the young men of the United States is in their surroundings, which do not stimulate ambition; and in their lack of opportunity. The establishment of the truth in these islands will be a great help in taking the message to the republics proper. The methods of work which have been successful in Mexico should prove a success in these republics, for in habits and religion the people are similar.

Although none of the workers sent to Central America have been able to start a work among these people, they should be given due honor and credit for what they have done among the English-speaking people. I would especially mention Elder and Mrs. F. J. Hutchins, who did the pioneer work, and through whose efforts the work has been established in several places. I am sure I am expressing the sentiments of all our people in that field in thanking the board, and Elder Gowell, who, I think, suggested the appointment of Elder H. C. Goodrich for that field, after deciding to ask Elder F. J. Hutchins to go farther south. Although it was painful to have Elder and Mrs. Hutchins leave, we are glad to find in Elder Goodrich and his family experienced workers in the cause of truth. Already they have won a place in the affections of the people. Success has marked their labors since going to the field. Brother H. A. Owen and his wife, teachers sent from Battle Creek College, who left the islands about a year ago, also deserve mention. Although they met with some opposition and lack of confidence on the part of the brethren, their work has not been in vain. I wish to thank them for the encouragement they gave me, and not me only, but all the young people whom they reached. We have a small industrial school, conducted by Brother Evans and his wife and daughter, from Missouri. At the island of Utilla, a school is conducted by Miss Winifred Holmeden and her mother, of Battle Creek. I pray the Lord to bless this field and its laborers. May some of our young people in this country prepare themselves, by studying the language, for active work in the Spanish-speaking fields of the world. I hope to have a part with them in the work. George F. Haylock, Jr.