Canvassers' Institute and Work in Barbados
By W. A. Sweaney
BRIDGETOWN.—We have been holding a canvassers' institute the last week or two, as several of our canvassers are home from the work in other islands. We held one extra meeting each day, for one week, and still hold two extra meetings on Sabbath and Sunday, to study the Bible and the Testimonies concerning the canvassing work, and also to study the field, plans, methods, books, etc. God has greatly blessed us, although we were disappointed in having none of our laboring brethren with us. We considered the work with “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and the church is taking hold of it bravely. We had only fifty copies on hand, and in one week they are nearly gone. We have sent to St. Vincent for more. This forms the nucleus of a school fund. We hope to sell a goodly number of books even here, where times are so hard, money so scarce, and poverty so pinching. Myself and family sold fourteen last week, besides doing all our other work. Barbados is again quarantined, on account of smallpox, which is assuming almost epidemic proportions. Scores have it, and several deaths have occurred. Prices of everything are extremely high, and starvation stares many in the face. Some plantations are closing down, owing to the low price of sugar, and hundreds of laborers are thus thrown out of employment, to starve, beg, or steal. I am glad that our God is so great that he can make use of even all these terrible experiences, to advance the interests of his kingdom. The interest in our work is more marked just now than at any former time. The church is filled, and crowds stand at each window on Sunday evenings. I am giving Sunday evening lectures on Revelation. A great many are deeply interested. Many are convinced of the truth, and some are halting between two opinions, almost persuaded. A few are obeying, some of whom give evidence of sound conversion to the truth. The increase of attendance and interest is largely due to the unity, zeal, and earnestness of the church. Our missionary, prayer, young people’s, and Sabbath services are all seasons of refreshing, and are constantly increasing in attendance and interest. Nearly every member is doing something in personal, house-to-house work—selling, loaning, and giving away literature, inviting the people to church, praying for and ministering to the sick and needy, holding Bible readings, etc. W. A. SWEANEY.