SELF-SUPPORT IN CENTRAL AMERICA.
By A. S. Rust
From Mission Board Correspondence. [BROTHER RUST, the writer of this letter, has gone with his family to Central America, where his wife's people live, to engage in business, and to let the light shine in that needy field.] We have reached our field of future labor, having left home in Kansas, November 10, sailing via New Orleans. It was night when we passed the coast of Cuba. The first land was sighted Sabbath morning, when we passed between the mainland of Mexico and the island of Cozumel. The foliage looked very green and pretty on the island. The coast of Mexico was sighted next morning, and gradually grew plainer until the darkness cut it off from our view. Monday morning, November 18, we cast anchor in the harbor of Belize, British Honduras. Here we landed to take a small sailing vessel in which to make the remainder of the journey of eighty miles. We remained two days in Belize, which gave me ample time to look up our workers in that place. From a native brother I learned that Elder Goodrich and family had gone to Ulilla, Bay Islands, not to return for several weeks. I had a good visit with this brother, whose earnestness was refreshing. I also talked to some of the people in their homes. They seemed to be eager to receive the light of the gospel. We reached our final stopping place, November 22. We are now located about seventeen miles in the interior. It is not so desirable a place in which to live as along the coast. There are several different languages spoken here. We believe that there are many precious souls to save among these people, and we must become acquainted with their ways in order to benefit them. The papacy has a strong hold on nearly all. We now have on our place a Hindu and a Mohammedan. The latter is a cooly preacher, and is very zealous. He spends hours every day in his devotions. We request the prayers of the brethren, that we may be light-bearers in this dark land. Monkey River, British Honduras.