Dear Brother Wilcox: As the result of your efforts in our behalf, we have received from the SIGNS Office, $263.06, besides the gift of a three months’ subscription for a club of twenty Little Friends, from the employees of the office. But this is not all, for we have received through the Mission Board $133.51, and a little more than $150 has come to us direct from more than a score of persons, scattered from New Brunswick to Honolulu. All but about $150 of this (together with about $225 of our own private means) has been used in meeting the needs created by the terrible smallpox scourge. By far the greater part of it has been doled out in very small sums—barely enough to rescue worthy persons from pinching want of food, clothing, etc. The homes of a number have been saved from being sold for land rent. Much of it has been used over and over again as our own people repay what is advanced to them, as soon as they are able, thus perpetuating the fund. We are continually obliged to manifest judicious firmness, in dealing with applicants for help; for there are not lacking those who are quick to practise deception. In spite of our best efforts to prevent it, some has been lost in this way. Much kind firmness is required in dealing with those who are really in need (and that includes almost every one), for we can’t fully supply the needs of all, or even any, but only help as many as our means will permit. Only the judgment can fully reveal the good this help has done among the needy ones here.
Tudor Street, Bridgetown, Barbados.
Cleaning Fish, Barbados.
A Typical Marine View.
The willingness of our friends to respond to the needs of the Master’s cause, and their cheering letters (all of which were personally answered), have encouraged us more than anything else during this trial. The way they are responding to the growing needs and rapidly increasing calls from all over the world, betokens speedy victory for the message. This experience has emphasized another thing, and that is the worth and value to this cause of the SIGNS and Review, and the influence they wield in the great field. Whatever these faithful watchmen endorse will succeed. Brethren, tell the people all about your fields and they will respond to the needs.
The interest of our people in missions is exactly proportional to their knowledge of missions. As a result of our request in the SIGNS and Review, we have received scores of letters from persons who are willing to send their papers regularly to persons here, after they have read them. Thus we are enabled fairly to sow this island with the good seed, at very small expense—only the postage—and the papers might otherwise lie about until worn out or destroyed. Here, they will be used again and again, by being sold, loaned, or given away, thus sowing seed that will surely produce fruit.
There is no doubt in my mind that the increased interest and activity among our people in world-wide missions is due to the systematic study of missions, missionaries, and mission fields, that was begun a few years ago, and has been promoted by reports from our missionaries from all parts of the world. About five years ago Sister A. E. Ellis, of Dodge Center, Minn., for many years corresponding secretary of the Minnesota Tract Society, organized a little reading circle of about a score of members to promote knowledge of and interest in foreign missions. Various missionary books and periodicals were studied, and questions and suggestions sent out monthly. After running the gauntlet of indifference and opposition, the idea spread throughout the Conference, and brought Minnesota to the front in donations to foreign missions, as statistics for that time will show.
Then the plan spread throughout the field, and the Berean Reading Circle was organized, which had much to do with the revival of the missionary spirit in our ranks. It was that experience that filled us with the zeal that will never wane till the Gospel of the Kingdom has been preached in all the world. Sister Ellis is now, by long, tireless, ceaseless labor, disabled, but a large number of those whom she helped to inspire with the real spirit of the message, are now in the ranks and on the firing line of the campaign.
In regard to the present situation here, I am compelled to say that although the smallpox is waning, conditions,—industrial, financial, and commercial,—are worse than at any previous time. The rigors of the quarantine are being increased rather than diminished. The opposition of the anti-vaccinists to every effort of the government to stamp out the disease is engendering more and more bitterness. A public meeting was held a few days ago, to consider the situation, but it ended almost in a riot.
Yesterday after long delay and much bitter opposition, the House of Assembly passed a bill providing for compulsory isolation, fumigation, and vaccination in infected areas. It will surely pass the Legislative Council and receive the Governor’s approval, and then something can be done to put a stop to the shameful proceedings that have kept the scourge in our midst all these months. The anti-vaccinists are an insignificant minority, composed mostly of the ignorant class, influenced by their religious advisers, who tell them that vaccination is forbidden in the Bible—is the mark of the beast, etc.
A short time ago, when there had not been a case for two weeks, and only a dozen in the hospital, and we were almost ready to issue clean bills of health, a case broke out in an out parish. Seventy of the man’s fanatical neighbors went in to shake hands and say good-by, before he was taken to the pest house. And now they are rapidly coming down with it and scattering the disease.
Most of the small, non-conformist sects (whose name and number is legion) are anti-vaccinists and seemingly anti everything that is reasonable. We were being classed in with them, so I lectured twice on the subjects of “The Relation of Reason and Faith to Vaccination and Smallpox,” and “Rights, Freedom, and Liberty.” The leading daily published the lectures almost entire, and it has resulted in much good in many ways—by dispelling ignorance in many minds, and by bringing us prominently before the government and the reading, intelligent public in a favorable way.
At the beginning of this epidemic there was $135,000 in the public treasury. During its course, licenses, customs, duties, etc., have been increased twenty per cent, but a deficit of about $29,000 this quarter has compelled the Government to raise a loan of about $40,000. A leading citizen said yesterday in the foremost daily—
“It does seem that we are getting into very low water. The treasury at the end of the present quarter will be £6,000 to the bad. The grant to the Sanitary Board of £7,000 is exhausted. As the sanitation must be kept up; it will necessitate a further grant, rendering the outlook more gloomy. Very few, if any, of the mercantile body are paying their expenses. Taxation, as far as I know, has never been higher. Any addition at present will ‘break the camel’s back.’ I deprecate earnestly any undue excitement or friction. We are passing through a crisis which I fear has not been realized up to the present. All classes have borne the severe financial strain in a way that is highly creditable, and I can not speak too highly of the loyal way our peasantry have acted.”
He then commends the government and condemns the “anti” element. So poor little Barbados is, with the rest of the world, feeling the distress and perplexity foretold in the Bible. As I see the awful situation here, and then read of conditions in Russia, India, Sweden, and many other places, where millions are suffering, my heart cries out, “How long, O Lord, how long?” “Come, Lord Jesus, and come quickly.”
Brother Spicer is now in the West Indies holding council meetings, but of course we can’t attend, and he can’t come here, on account of the quarantine.
Brother and Sister Morrow, of Demerara, South America, passed here a fortnight ago, en route to Bermuda in search of rest and health, after eight years of hard labor in this enervating climate. Their ship lay here three days, but we could not go to them, nor could they come to us. However, we got near enough in a row boat to talk with them. It seemed good to see their faces again after so long isolation.
Well, thank God, quarantine can’t shut us away from God, nor Him from us. We are well and of good courage, and the work is prospering more and more.
