The Work in Bermuda Islands by M. Enoch

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 11, 1907

The Work in Bermuda Islands.

By M. Enoch

In justice to our dear people in the United States and Canada who have been sending us their means since my article in the REVIEW of Aug. 30, 1906, and in behalf of our brethren and sisters here, I would tender our sincere thanks for the donations which have been coming in to help liquidate the debt on our church building here at the capital. With the thirty dollars sent us by the General Conference treasurer a few days ago, we have received eighty dollars from abroad.

Though the church is unfinished, we have held our Sabbath meetings in it since last July. Since then the building has been completed, except the ceiling. The sight of the rafters and roof above does not detract from the sacredness of the place. Still, when the wind is blowing hard, we find it somewhat cool and drafty. But it will have to remain thus until we can finish it. The citizens are pleased with our neat, substantial building, which we know meets the approval of heaven, for we are told to build in that manner.

To those who would still esteem it a privilege to help us financially, I would say that to save the amount lost by exchange, you can send your money to the General Conference treasurer, Elder I. H. Evans, telling him that it is for the Bermuda church. Large amounts could be sent to me without discount, by draft on New York.

The work is onward here. Through the faithful labors of Elder Morrow, eighteen Portuguese have taken hold, and some of them have been baptized, and still others are interested. Then about five miles east of Hamilton, Brother Morrow started meetings last summer, in the open air, as there was no building available for the purpose. From fifty to one hundred would come out, and either sit on the ground or stand for one hour. But when the cold evenings came on, we decided to buy a tent, seating nearly one hundred persons. Since it was pitched, a number have accepted the truth, and hopes are still entertained for others. Since that time I have also been carrying on Sunday evening meetings at Hamilton, in the church. Though our congregations are not large, owing, no doubt, to the fact that people generally attend their own churches on Sunday evenings, still quite a number are interested, and come regularly; and this is a help to our brethren and sisters. Besides these, I have held one meeting a week, about two miles west of the capital, at the home where the mother took a stand for the truth, through reading the *Caribbean

Watchman*, sold her by our deacon. Then after a few meetings at that home, the father and a neighbor began to keep the Sabbath. There are six children in this latter family.

As the columns of the newspapers were opened to receive points of truth, I have spent part of my time in writing articles for them, and we have reason to believe that good is being done in this way. Thus I am engaged in the work as far as my health will permit; but to do this, I have had to give up a part of my business; however, my wife is carrying on the remainder of the business, and we are enabled to make a living.

The Jamaica earthquake filled the hearts of some with apprehension, and the question is already in the mind, Will Bermuda suffer in the same way? We can only reply that we do not know, but these islands must be warned fully of the coming of Jesus. It is thought by many that the reefs extending about nine miles on the north side of Bermuda, and which are near the surface, were once a part, in fact, the greatest part, of Bermuda, but that they were sunk by an earthquake.

Our brethren and sisters here are hopeful, and of good courage, and I am sure none of us desire to leave our post of duty. We are going to stand by the work. The time has certainly come when we need to enter more fully into the life of faith, where the presence of the Holy Spirit will be as real to us in the Bermudas as was the presence of the Saviour when, as a man, he lived in the land of Palestine. O, if we could only get rid of the sin of unbelief that hides from our view this same Saviour who is ever near us by the abiding presence of the Comforter which proceeds from the Father! May the Lord open our spiritual eyes as fully as he opened the natural eyes of the servant of Elijah! “O, for living, active faith! We need it; we must have it, or we shall faint and fail in the day of trial. . . . Now is the time to prepare. The seal of God will never be placed upon the forehead of an impure man or woman. . . . All who receive the seal must be without spot before God—candidates for heaven.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. V, pages 215, 216.

M. ENOCH.

Hamilton, Bermuda.