British Honduras by H. C. Goodrich

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 24, 1907

British Honduras

By H. C. Goodrich

BELIZE.—I have just come in from a preaching service held on the street, at which we had excellent attention while I talked on the second chapter of Daniel. We have a folding organ, and with Mildred to play, we get a good crowd. At first we had no interest, except in the singing; to-night we had the best of attention to the preaching. About two months ago I began these meetings in another part of town. The interest was small, yet a few came to hear the singing. One woman of seeming ability has accepted the Sabbath. She has two daughters, and we hope to see them, also, with us soon. Now we have chosen another place, and the interest is much better, with a better class of people. Of course, when the weather is bad, it stops our work; but often the rain has held off until the meeting closed. We are thus reaching many people whom we could not meet in any other way.

At the meetings held in the first place, a Catholic man came with a club every night for some time, and drove off all the Catholics. Several young men of the Catholic college came to see me, or asked me to visit them, but these visits were immediately stopped by the priests. I am holding these meetings while waiting for an opportunity to go over to Spanish Honduras. The governor has kindly sent me an official permit, signed and stamped, giving me the special privilege of coming to Spanish Honduras without waiting for the quarantine to be lifted. This was sent last month (September), but we have not found a boat yet that would take us, so great is the smuggling business; for when a boat is smuggling, no passengers are wanted. One came in yesterday which I understand is going straight in, and we may be able to go the first of next week. This trouble of getting passage here is sometimes a very serious one. A ship would be a necessity if there were more workers in this field; and I expect to see such a conveyance before this mission field becomes a conference.

And now let me mention the matter of laborers. I have been in this field for more than six years. I have taken things as I found them, and have worked hard, yet I have not had any great success. Sometimes I have been encouraged with a successful effort; but I think the losses have been nearly equal to the increase. The last two seasons here have been very trying ones, on account of the quarantine, which has hindered our work a great deal; I have not been able to go about as I should, and have had to depend altogether on writing.

I am sure one laborer in Spanish Honduras, one in British Honduras, and one in the Bay Islands, would be but a little band, with the field so divided and no ready means of conveyance. We always pray that God may help in the home field, and bless it abundantly, and we would humbly ask a share in your prayers for the work here.

H. C. GOODRICH.