JAMAICA by W. W. Eastman

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · Oct 2, 1900

JAMAICA

By W. W. Eastman

SOUTHFIELD.—Since my last report, I have not by any means been idle. I have baptized more than one hundred and fifty persons as a result of labor. Thank the Lord, we all have plenty to do in Jamaica. We can not answer one fourth of the Macedonian calls that are constantly coming. The time we put in here each year is three hundred and sixty-five days, twenty-four hours long. Our rest is in the future, but, praise the Lord, it is sure.

I came home to Southfield, May 17, and Elder F. I. Richardson came the 18th. We began meetings on Sabbath, which continued to increase in interest and power for sixteen days, during which time over thirty persons started for the kingdom. June 3 twenty-one were baptized. It was a refreshing sight to see so many, most of whom were young persons, go forward, under the influence of the latter rain, in the loud cry of the third angel. June 2 the company here was organized into a church of forty-two members, and on the night of the 3d Brother J. R. Parchment was ordained as local elder of the church, at the close of the Sunday night meeting.

When the Spirit was poured out on the day of Pentecost, it was soon noised abroad, and the people came together; so it has been here.

Our church building, 20 x 30 ft., has not been large enough to hold the people. Some who came out of curiosity, have been converted, and others are interested. It became necessary for Brother Richardson to leave me, in order to attend to other duties; but still the work goes on.

A number of others will go forward in baptism at the first opportunity. In order to baptize, we have to go down the mountain to the sea, a distance of two and one-half miles, a descent of fifteen hundred and fifty feet. A part of the way is much like descending a ladder. Suffice it to say we all get good exercise before getting back.

We are happy in the Lord, and rejoice for the privilege of being in his work in a time like this. Our experience is that the field is white and laborers are few. We are praying for more laborers. Who will come and help us, and share in the final reward?

W. W. EASTMAN.