British Guiana by O. E. Davis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 27, 1906

British Guiana

By O. E. Davis

GEORGETOWN.—Several months have passed since I left Seattle, Wash., for this field, and many of our friends are anxiously watching the columns of the REVIEW for a word respecting our arrival and work here. Perhaps, owing to some error on the part of the mails, my notice of our safe arrival has failed to reach the office. Leaving Seattle, I went directly to Chicago, where I remained several weeks gathering some information on treatment work which I believe will be very useful to me here. While in the city it was my privilege to obtain some valuable experiences in city mission work.

Leaving Chicago, we passed on to Washington, D. C., where we spent a few days. Here we were encouraged to see the progress of the work and buildings under construction. Every one was busy at his work; there are no idle hands here. In fact, some of our brethren are overburdened and weighed down with the heavy responsibilities placed upon them. The prayers of God's people should arise for these men. As the hour came for us to depart, we were greatly strengthened and encouraged by the prayers in our behalf, offered by a few of the General Conference officers assembled in the office of the president.

Continuing our journey, we went to New York, and sailed from there May 5, on the steamship "Trinidad," for Bridgetown, Barbados, which we reached at the end of the seventh day, it being the first stop our boat made after leaving port. Here we rested a few days, waiting for Elder Enoch to return from his visit among the islands. While here I addressed our people twice, and held two Sunday evening services, which were well attended by the people from the city; and in the absence of Elder Enoch I was called upon to conduct a funeral service. Sailing by schooner from this place, we reached our destination after a six-days' voyage, our progress being much delayed by storms and calm.

Arriving at Georgetown, we were soon made comfortable at the home of Elder

W. G. Kneeland. He was away visiting various churches of the colony. On his return we took a trip up the west coast among the Indians, staying two nights with our Indian brethren on Tapicooma Creek. This place and people have been quite fully described by others, so I shall make no further mention of them except that they are very anxious for a teacher, and need one very much.

We were the first of our workers to enter some of the streams, and here we found the aborigines scattered along the route, a few in a place. As in my experience with the Indians of British Columbia and the Northwest, so here I have found them to be very kind, warm hearted, and ever ready to do all in their power for the comfort of the missionary when once their confidence has been gained and they realize he is indeed their friend. We purposed to push into the interior to investigate conditions there, but being unable to secure boat-pullers for the trip, this plan was abandoned.

We then planned a trip for the east coast, but Elder Kneeland's health being poor, this plan also failed. As Elder Kneeland was confined to the house most of the time, I endeavored to fill his appointments and render such assistance as I was able until the East Caribbean conference.

At this conference I was requested to make the city of Georgetown my field of labor until the development of the work should otherwise direct. Accordingly we returned to this city, and began to consider the situation and needs of this locality. Of these we shall be able to speak more fully later. Thus far we have enjoyed fairly good health, although the heat is very oppressive. We are becoming somewhat acquainted with the peculiar conditions of this colony, and hope to be able to adjust ourselves to the place to which our Heavenly Father has directed us. This newly organized conference is a needy field. There are only two ordained ministers and three missionary workers, and including its mission field, it covers an area equal to that of the States of Washington, Oregon, and New Jersey. Many of the inhabitants of this field are scattered along the rivers and streams, and have to be reached by boat, and some of them by rowboat only. Our earnest desire and hope is that our coming to this needy field may result in many souls being gathered into the fold of our blessed Lord and Saviour at his soon appearing. We earnestly solicit the prayers of the brethren.

O. E. DAVIS.