p. 19 | Central America by J. G. Smalley

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 10, 1907

Central America

By J. G. Smalley

BONACCA, BAY ISLANDS.—I arrived at Bonacca Nov. 25, 1906. After a pleasant sea voyage I landed in French Harbor, Ruatan Island, in safety. We were obliged to wait at French Harbor about one week for a passage to Bonacca. At last the boat arrived and took a cargo of cattle, but as the wind was so strong and the sea so high, the captain would not venture out. So we waited until the storm was nearly over (two days), and then with moderating winds we set sail. Scarcely were we out of sight of land and beating up along the coast of the

island before maintopsail and rigging broke. Can you imagine the suspense? Brother Tatum, captain of the “Clyde,” was the man in the hour of the emergency, and the way he handled the vessel was remarkable. With a high sea and a little mainsail and a little jib topsail, we made Oak Ridge, Ruatan, where we were entertained by Captain Sleepe and his wife until the carpenters had finished the repairs.

When I think of how gracious God was in sparing our lives, I can but exclaim, “O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works unto the children of men!” And now again as I am out in the posts of duty, on a frontier field, in the race for life and eternity with the souls that we may gather, even as Abraham gathered them, may it be that his servant shall possess the courage of Caleb and Joshua and sound forth the message. God has promised the reward.

There are souls that God wants gathered out of Central America. This Satan knows, and he is by no means a silent watcher. May the school work be all that God designs it should be, that soon from among these people there may be those who shall go forth as servants of the living God. J. G. SMALLEY.