British Guiana by D. C. BABCOCK

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Sep 10, 1903

British Guiana

By D. C. BABCOCK

We closed our tent meeting in the village of Kitty, July 19, having continued just nine weeks. It rained during the entire time, but the services were well attended. We have rented a room, in which the meetings are continued by Brethren Giddings and Brown. When the weather permits the services are held in the open air.

It is difficult yet to say just how many have taken their stand for the message. Fourteen have been baptized, and others are awaiting baptism. The Sabbath-school has an enrolment of forty.

Our great need now is a small place of worship. It will require about two hundred and fifty dollars to buy the necessary materials to build what is needed. The people are gathering money as fast as they can, but it will take a long time to raise the amount necessary. We are praying earnestly that the Lord may give us, in whatever way is best, the needed help. How anxious we are to provide for this needy company, and hasten on to carry the message to others, who are calling earnestly for the truth.

It is now twenty-five years since I first began tent work, and in all my experience I never saw such deep conviction resting upon the people. The message has a power attending it which I never before experienced. On every hand, people are calling for the truth. We are unable to meet the calls, and it seems that each day multiplies the demands.

An interest was awakened in Albuquerque-town, by Brother Downer. We considered it advisable to pitch our tent there for a short time. Tuesday morning, July 28, we erected our tent, scattered handbills, and by 7 P. M. the tent was crowded to its utmost capacity. Each night since, it has been impossible to seat one half the people in attendance. Deep conviction rests upon all. Surely it is the loud cry. What peace, joy, and comfort fill the soul when all is surrendered to God!

We are in much need of a small tent for the East Indian work. Our experience has taught us that we can not persuade the coolies to attend services in a place of worship generally occupied by other nationalities. We have in our midst more than one hundred and twenty-three thousand of these darkened souls, who do not believe that Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God. Many of them say they would come and hear what we have to say if we did not ask them to come where the black people worship. Brother Hyder, our Hindu laborer, is anxious for his own people, and weeps over their sad condition. He is doing all he can. We need help. We could fit up a tent, suitable for that work for fifty dollars.

Our canvassers who have entered the interior, are doing a good work. One young brother went to Morawhanna, in the northwest district, and in a short time sold over sixty dollars' worth of books. The inhabitants are largely Indians, and as it is near the Venezuelan line, many Spaniards come over, and buy our books. Another brother went into the Pomeroon district, and is finding ready sales for our literature. He gives many interesting accounts of his labors among the people, and already his efforts are bearing fruit.

The climate is severe, and at the present time, from seventy-five to one hundred new cases of smallpox are reported each week. Sickness is prevalent everywhere, and only the power of God can save the workers from the terrible fever in this colony. Sister Giddings has been quite sick again, which necessarily calls Brother Giddings from the field. This increases the burdens of our present force of laborers, and it seems sometimes, under the hot August sun and dry weather, that we shall have to succumb, but the Lord hears our cries, and knowing that we are homeward bound, we march on, claiming the victory in Jesus’ name.

I kindly ask our dear people to send us copies of the REVIEW, Signs, Instructor, Little Friend, and other literature for free distribution. If our missionary societies in the United States and elsewhere could see how anxious the people are for reading matter, it would greatly encourage them. Let us fight on until the Lord says it is enough. D. C. BABCOCK.

Georgetown.