A TRIP TO THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.
By A. Palmquist
Having spent about five months in Santa Cruz, Danish West Indies, getting out books and literature, I left on June 13 for the Virgin Islands, and arrived the same day in St. Thomas, where I was welcomed by many friends. I was happy to see some of those for whom we have been laboring in attendance at the Sabbath meetings, and a few new ones who had joined them. Monday night, June 17, I engaged a passage with a boat for St. John, and with my supply of books and Bibles was landed on the beach of the eastern part of the island about half-past three in the morning, not knowing a single person in the island. However, I found a house where I rested for an hour and a half; but it not being convenient to let me remain there, I took a boat and went up to the end of the bay, and after finding a place to stop, and having my things brought up, I found myself ready for work the next day. St. John belongs to Denmark and to the municipality of St. Thomas, has an area of forty-two square miles, but a population of only nine hundred and twenty-five. In the days when sugar was king, it contained several valuable estates. The old mills still stand as monuments of those days. Very little sugar is made at present, owing to lack of money and the low price of raw sugar. The bay-leaf tree (Pimenta acris), from the leaves of which are extracted the bay-oil, is a growth of this island. The Moravians, the only church in the island, have a mission and a minister located in the eastern part, Coral Bay, and also a meeting-house and school in the western part. Both minister and people—men and women—are heavy smokers. The country being mountainous, no wagons are used, the traveling being done on horseback, by boat, or on foot. The people are very kind and hospitable. I remained here for two weeks, and made many friends. One promised to obey God and keep His commandments. My sales here amounted to $36.65. Sunday, June 30, I chartered a boat, and made arrangements to leave the following day for Tortola. Accordingly, we set sail for that place Monday morning, but on account of a very high sea, the heavens being black, we were obliged to return, well soaked from sea and rain. The means of travel between these islands are open boats. After waiting awhile, we made another attempt, and reached Road Town, Tortola, in the afternoon, though not in the best condition, but thankful to God for a safe passage. Tortola is a crown colony of Great Britain, and chief of the English Virgin Islands, with a population of about four thousand. Sugar is made in several places, but in a primitive way. The country, like St. John, is mountainous. No wagons can be used. The way of transporting a barrel of sugar or meal is by fastening two rafts to a horse, letting the ends drag on the ground; or if two horses are675used, the rafts are fastened to both horses, one in front of the other, the barrel between. The people are hospitable, hard-working, and independent, as they do not work for others on large estates, but have their own land and houses. Everywhere in the mountains and on the hills are people living, cultivating the soil, raising potatoes, cassava, fruits, and other products. Such a demand for Bibles as in this island I never saw before. “We want Bibles” was the general demand. I was sorry at not being able this time fully to satisfy them. Expect to be better prepared next visit. I remained about one month in this island, became acquainted with the people, and sold books and Bibles to the value of $93.70. My impression was and is that this island is ready for the message. July 17 I took passage to Virgin Gorda, fifteen or eighteen miles from Road Town, Tortola. I called at the houses in the main part of the island, but for some reason I could not make many sales, only four small books, amounting to one dollar. Virgin Gorda has a population of five hundred and seventy-five, but a great part have to seek a living on other islands, principally Santo Domingo. The island has a copper mine; but owing to the many hindrances from the government, the owners are not able to work it. July 19 I returned to Road Town, Tortola. Early Sunday morning, July 21, I took passage for Anegada, about forty miles from Road Town, and landed the same day in the afternoon. The water being very shallow, the boats anchor far out; but getting into a small boat, we came near enough to reach land by taking off shoes and stockings. We were met by a crowd of people on the beach. By invitation I spoke in the chapel at night to a full house. Anegada is about 13¾ x 9 miles, of coral formation, and flat as a griddlecake. The land belongs to any one and every one. On the middle south side, where the people live, it is naked rock, but on the north side there is enough soil to raise potatoes, corn, etc., but no fruit. The population is eight hundred, but as on Virgin Gorda, they have to go to Santo Domingo for a living. The only church in this island is the Wesleyan Methodist. The minister resides in Road Town, Tortola, and makes quarterly visits to this and other small islands. I sold $16.85 worth of books, and July 25 returned to Road Town, and July 29 took passage for St. Thomas, and on to Santa Cruz, July 31. I cannot but praise God for His special care and blessings during this trip. Boats were sunk—one lost its cargo, and the crew barely saved themselves. The work was more than commonly hard, but the Lord gave more than common strength. I knew and felt His presence. With a bag of books in each hand, I climbed mountains from ten to twelve hundred feet in height, under a tropical sun; at times finding it difficult to get anything to eat; at night longing for morning, as the body ached from lying on hard boards; and sometimes receiving only a glass of water to wash my face and hands on getting up. Asking for a drink of water at one place, the woman said, “Excuse the frogs.” I drank the water, but left the frogs. I have mentioned these few things that none may think it is all pleasure trips. It is not pleasure trips for the flesh, but pleasure in a higher sense to have the privilege of bringing the last message of life to a dying people. The people, although poor, will spend their last cent for tobacco or rum. The women smoke as freely as do the men. More than one has said to me, “How can it be wrong to smoke when our ministers smoke?” One man, a catechist in the Church of England, said, “I believe the Seventh-day Adventists are right: I am a slave to tobacco.” Here are many slaves longing for liberty, slaves of habits and sin. Praise God, He is able to save and to keep. Frederiksted, Santa Cruz.