THE LESSER ANTILLES MISSION FIELD.
By E. Van Deusen
While the pen cannot give so correct an idea as the eye, yet it may help to form some idea of the situation. The following are some of the islands of the Lesser Antilles group (see a map): Grenada, St. Vincent, Barbadoes, St. Lucia, Martinique, Dominique, Guadaloupe, Monserrat, Antigua, St. Kitts, and Nevis, St. Croix, and St. Thomas, and quite as many more of smaller dimensions, belonging as dependencies to the larger ones. These islands are now held by England, France, and Denmark. From thirty to two hundred years ago these were great sugar-producing islands. In this industry, however, there has been a great decline, which has been brought on by the price of sugar going down. Years ago, sugar brought as high as two hundred dollars per twenty-two hundred pounds; now, it brings less than forty dollars. The products of Grenada are coffee, cocoa, and fruit. St. Vincent Island was once sugar-producing; now, the product is arrowroot, which is made into starch. Once, it brought from ten to sixteen cents a pound; now, it is one cent a pound. St. Thomas was once a flourishing sugar-producing island. Now it is covered with brush, and nothing is exported but a limited quantity of bay rum. When we say that the poor are very poor, we make a statement which is better understood by being here, and seeing what that term means. We wish now to give you the state of some of these isles, from the standpoint of the message. I will take them in the order heretofore mentioned. The island of Grenada has had no preaching of the word as yet. This is the third year in which canvassing has been done on that island. Many of our books are now scattered over it, and it is ready for the living minister. About six years ago Brother Willis Hackett and others canvassed in St. Vincent. Many families have both the larger and many of the smaller of our books. We have felt for some time that the living preacher should be here, but not until the middle of last October could we come. With Brother Sweeney and wife at Barbadoes, we felt it our duty to come here and try to start the work. We have been here four weeks, and are of good courage. Barbadoes is the headquarters of our mission field. This isle has a fair beginning,—a neat stone chapel (26 x 42 ft.), all paid for, and a fair congregation, with growing interest, after twenty of their number have been scattered over the other islands, doing mission work, and a school of about forty on the roll, taught by Sister Sweeney. St. Lucia has had a fair supply of our books by canvasser Hackett. A company of nine are there. There are three workers in Dominica. No canvassing has been done by one experienced in that work. This isle needs both a canvasser and a minister. Monserrat needs a canvasser. Some of our books have been sold here. Antigua is now having the labor of Brother D. E. Wellman and wife. Cheering reports are coming from his pen to us of the prospect for good being done there. The financial condition of this isle is low, yet many books have been sold by our canvassers. St. Kitts and Nevis come next. These islands have many of our books among the people. What the people now need is visiting concerning the themes of which the books treat. Brother Morrow’s stay of a little over a year brought out a company of ten or twelve, at the main business port of St. Kitts. They have a neat little house in which to worship. Brother Sterry Wellman and wife are now there, further to develop the work on these islands. There are small adjacent islands on which work should be done. A native canvasser is on St. Kitts and Nevis. As the present crops are in good condition819we hope for a fair sale of books this season. St. Croix is a Danish possession. On this isle Brother Palmquist has sold many of our books, but no minister has yet done work there. It is awaiting a laborer’s efforts. St. Thomas is also a Danish isle. Elder Haysmer and wife have been doing hard work here for the last year. They report a company of over twenty-five. A meeting-house is needed. A company brought out always demands a place in which to worship. You who have read Brother Palmquist’s letter concerning his efforts will see how the adjoining islands are conditioned. There is a state of things in connection with the work among these islands which makes the work much more difficult, owing to their scattered condition. Each island is a little world by itself, having customs, regulations, etc., peculiar to itself. Many persons on these islands need personal visiting. Preaching is not so much needed as visiting. As a whole, there is a fair degree of intellect among the peoples of these islands. Many are serving the Lord according to all the light they have. There are as many here who love the Lord, and serve Him in truth, as elsewhere in this world. Do not forget the workers in the West Indies. Middle St., Kingston, St. Vincent, November 16.