TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES by J. O. Johnston

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 16, 1900

TRINIDAD, WEST INDIES.

By J. O. Johnston

MAY 20, 1898, my family and I arrived in Port of Spain. After looking the field over, I became convinced that we needed a good farmer who could settle in the island, purchase a piece of land, and teach our people how to till the soil; and also furnish a place where our young people could attend school and pay their way in work on the land. Accordingly I made a call through the REVIEW for farmers.

Many answered the call by letter, but Brother Sullivan Wareham, of Cora, Mont., answered in person, arriving here in January, 1899.

□ Brother Wareham purchased forty-five acres of crown land, about four miles from Princes Town, for the purpose of establishing an industrial school for the island. It was his intention to stay in Trinidad until the farm and school should be in full running order; but he did not even see the place after purchasing it, as he was taken sick, and after a few weeks’ illness was obliged to leave the island, and go to the sanitarium for treatment.

Before leaving, Brother Wareham gave the farm to the Foreign Mission Board, also several hundred dollars’ worth of farm machinery, and about three hundred dollars in money. This amount has been expended in improvements on the farm. A horse, water-tank, and lumber had to be purchased; over twenty-five dollars was expended for freight and cartage alone, besides clearing the land, as it was all timbered. About fourteen acres has been cleared. Most of this was planted with rice, but a water famine came on this year, which almost destroyed the crop.

September 7 I left the farm to help in a tent effort at Port of Spain. Brother Willis Hackett was left to look after the farm until some proper person can be found to take up the work and carry it on. A practical farmer, in good health, with sufficient money to erect the necessary buildings, and buy a team, is needed now. And until this need is supplied our industrial farm must languish. May the Lord put his Spirit upon the one who ought to come and do this work.

Mrs. Johnston, not being strong, and somewhat broken in health before we came here, was unable to endure the climate. She stayed until it was evident that a change must be made at once if her life was to be spared. After she had spent many weeks in bed, we decided to return to the States; and January 7 we took ship for New York. I would have remained behind for a time to look after the work, but had to accompany her, as she could not care for herself and the children. I at once settled my family among kind friends who could care for my wife, and took the next boat that sailed for Trinidad, bidding my loved ones good by, February 8. It will soon be a year since I have seen them, but I know all these things work together for good — our good, as well as for the good of others. We are soldiers, and must endure hardness; but, brethren, you who are privileged to stay at home ought to remember the necessities of the ones in sickly foreign fields. Soldiers have to be fed, clothed, and have shelter provided for them: but this is not all; often those who are taken captive from the enemy’s ranks must also be fed and clothed for a time, or left to perish. Often we are compelled to divide with them. Many who ask help are refused, but many others can not be denied.

We are now in the midst of a tent effort in Port of Spain. Several have already taken their stand for the truth. The attendance has been from two to six hundred each night for eight weeks. The isles are waiting for His law.

J. O. JOHNSTON.