TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 4, 1902

TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES.

We take from the Mirror, a daily paper published at Trinidad, West Indies, the following account of an event of great interest and satisfaction to the little company which the Third Angel’s Message has called out in that place. It is printed under date of January 13:—

“Thursday last was a red-letter day for the Adventists of this district, the occasion being the laying of the foundation-stone of their chapel in Jubilee Street. In the absence of Elder A. J. Haysmer, superintendent of the Adventist mission in the West Indies (who has not yet arrived, owing to his being quarantined), Elder W. G. Kneeland, of San Fernando, assisted by Elder Enoch, conducted the ceremony. There was a large number of persons present, including every denomination in the district. A large party of Adventists from the city and other places attended the ceremony. Among those present were Mrs. and Miss Crowther (family of the deceased Elder Crowther), Mrs. Kneeland, Mrs. Enoch, Brethren Adamson Matthews, Grimshaw, Garnes, Greenidge, and Dasent; Mrs. Chase, Mrs. Briggs, Mrs. Grimshaw, Mrs. and Miss LeGan, etc.

“Shortly after 2:30 P. M. the ceremony began with the rendering of songs by the choir, Miss Crowther presiding at the organ. After the songs Brother Matthews offered a prayer, imploring God’s assistance in the work which they had so faithfully begun. Then followed some Scripture reading by Elder Enoch, after which the choir again rendered more songs. Elder Kneeland, in the course of an address, alluded to the object of their meeting, expressing regret on account of the unavoidable absence of Elder Haysmer, and the absence of the clergy of other denominations, who were invited to attend. He next stated that their object in coming to this district was not to wage war against other churches, but against their common enemy, the devil. The objects of the Adventists were then explained, and the elder replied to those persons who are wont to call the Adventists ‘Pennyites’ and ‘Saturday-Sundayites.’ He then spoke of the work of the Adventists in the district, and concluded by referring in glowing terms to the late Elder Crowther, who was in charge of it.

“Next followed an address by Elder Enoch, who sketched the history of the Adventists and their work in Jamaica, where they now had fourteen churches. A few songs were sung, and the stone was laid by Mrs. Crowther, widow of the deceased elder, as a fitting memorial of the self-sacrificing work of her husband. Elder Kneeland again addressed the congregation, his principal subject being a eulogy of the late Elder Crowther. The Doxology brought the ceremony to a close. A group of the principal members around the stone was photographed by Mrs. Crowther.”