Jamaica by J. H. Strickland

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 9, 1903

Jamaica

By J. H. Strickland

MONTEGO BAY.—For the past three months I have been endeavoring to give the last message of mercy to the people of Montego Bay. From the first, large congregations have attended the meetings. Services were held every night, and we visited and held Bible readings during the day. A lively interest was awakened throughout the town. I sold over seventy-five dollars' worth of books and tracts, and soon some began to obey the blessed present truth.

A fierce opposition was aroused. The other churches of the town—seven in number—united in their efforts against our work. A house-to-house canvass was carried on by our opponents, who warned the people not to go near our tent, telling them we were false prophets, preaching from a strange Bible, and that God would visit terrible judgments upon those who came to listen to us. Those who persisted in attending were threatened with excommunication.

But the Spirit of God was striving with many, and the people continued to come. The increased interest and the earnestness with which the people searched the Scriptures to find out whether these things were so, enraged the enemies of the third angel's message.

A series of union meetings was held for five nights in succession, at which the passions of the people were appealed to, and strong efforts made to excite the people to prejudice against us.

Three great anti-Adventist demonstrations were held in the open air, and

the people were urged by the excited and angry clergymen to rid themselves of me. Thursday, May 7, was selected as the day when the final blow was to be struck, and the voice of the Adventist preacher silenced in Montego Bay.

But we knew the work was the Lord's, and that “the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” We never felt any fear, although excitement ran high for a few days, and many times I was insulted in the streets.

We sought the Lord constantly for wisdom, and trusted in his power for safety. And like the church in the time of Peter and John, we said, “And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may preach the word.” The Lord heard our prayers, and gave us the victory. The great storm raised by the enemies of God's truth spent itself without doing us any harm, and a great calm now follows. The people are more interested than ever. Truly they “can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.”

Sixteen souls have publicly acknowledged Christ, and taken their stand for the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Others are just trembling in the balance. A sister has given a good lot upon which to build a church.

The little company which has come out amid such bitter opposition can all give a testimony which has a clear ring of love and faith, and I believe each one has his face set Zionward with a determination to go straight through into the kingdom. Praise Jehovah.

J. H. STRICKLAND.