p. 17 | Spanish Honduras by Alvin N. Allen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Oct 8, 1903

Spanish Honduras

By Alvin N. Allen

SAN JUANCITO.—We arrived here one week ago last evening, with our baggage, consisting of two mule loads. Since then we have been very busy getting settled and canvassing. We have rented one good room and a kitchen, with bedstead, table, and two chairs, and we have made cupboards of empty boxes, put up curtains, etc., so we are now very comfortably situated, and are among kind people. All the comforts and advantages which we enjoy here are not often found in one place. God is with us, and the work is onward. Although I have had nothing to work with since coming here except El Mensajero, and a few tracts which were left here by Brother Owen last spring, I have taken thirty-one yearly subscriptions for the paper at one peso each, and have sold a number of tracts. I have taken in $16.20 gold this week. Many are asking for books, some for Bibles, and several told me they wanted everything I could get them. All business done is cash.

We shall have bitter opposition as soon as the Catholics find out what we are doing. The first time I canvassed San Antonio, I was received very friendly. The next time, after the priest had been there, a very bitter spirit was manifested. Yet I found some who were anxious to read, and who are now reading eagerly all they can get. There are also some here who are anxious to get our books. I am sure God has a people here, and he will bring them to light in his own good time.

A large American mining company is operating here, and is removing much gold, silver, and quicksilver. Quite a few foreigners are connected with the mill. The superintendent expressed the general feeling this morning, when he said, “You might as well put all your religious literature in the San Juan River, and let it float down, for all the good it will do.” He has been very kind to us, however, and says he will be glad to help in anything that will raise the

standard of morality. I do wish we had a few good health works in Spanish.

It has been over nine months now since we left Belize. Very little has been done. Months are still coming and going. We are doing what we can with what we have, but we can not speak the language well enough to speak publicly; and if we could, it would be only to be stoned. Work must be done quietly here. It must be a work of education, from house to house — a Bible here, a tract there, a smile to another, to break the reserve of prejudice. We work and pray, and look to God for increase. But how much greater work would be done if we had plenty of books! We could use a few copies of the Good Health and the Youth's Instructor, also English tracts, and a copy of each of our standard English books, to put in the reading-room at the mine. The superintendent has given us the privilege of supplying it with religious reading-matter. If several feel inclined to answer this call, there are two other larger mines starting up within two days of here where we can easily place the books. These mines are run by foreigners. Some of them are very glad to get anything to read, as such matter is very scarce. Books should be wrapped well, and postage paid in full. ALVIN N. ALLEN.