Appeal From Storm-Swept Jamaica
By J. B. Beckner
DEAR BRETHREN IN THE STATES: You have all seen in the papers news of the destruction that came to our fair island the eleventh of August. Many of our brethren suffered with the others in loss of property, but the lives of all were spared. Four of our church houses were blown flat, and the roof of one other was blown off. Much of the material was ruined, and will have to be replaced by new. Some of it was blown away, and never found. Port Antonio, John's Hall, Moore Park, and Glen Goffe were the churches destroyed. The Above Rocks church had the roof blown off. The brethren are not discouraged, but are at work gathering all the material they can. All finishing lumber has to be bought. Our brethren in the storm-swept district, which comprises half of the island, have now no means of raising money. They are unable to rebuild these churches, and to finish the five new ones we had already in building. We are trying to help ourselves all we can. One church will be up again and ready for use by October 1. The lumber for another is now paid for, and work will be begun by the twentieth. But, brethren, we shall need help. Please send us at least five hundred dollars. Unless you do so, our work here will be crippled. Two Baptist ministers sailed for England this week to solicit aid to rebuild their houses of worship, but I think all our American brethren need is to know of our present distress, and they will respond to our call. May God bless you in so doing. Send offerings to the treasurer of the General Conference, 222 North Capitol St., Washington, D. C. J. B. BECKNER.