Untitled article | AdventAI

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 16, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 36.

FROM BAHAMA ISLANDS.

BROTHER C. H. RICHARDS, who, with his wife, is canvassing in the Bahama Islands, reports to the Foreign Mission office the following interesting experience:—

On arriving at Harbor Island we were received very cordially, and pleasant intercourse followed. We generally visit the sick first on arriving at a new place, give them tracts, and talk to them concerning their eternal welfare. Sometimes we treat them with water the best we know, and they have remarked that God sent us to comfort them in distress. It seems to have a lasting influence upon them. They have called me doctor, and minister, and all sorts of titles.

Well, in this place they had heard that I could talk fluently on the Bible, and nothing would do but I had to occupy the time on Sunday. I tried to get out of it, feeling timid, but no, they would never listen to it. So, forced into it, I made the attempt to give them a formal talk, or sort of Bible reading, on the "Home of the Saved." It seemed as if their eyes would stick out of their heads as they sat with open mouths, drinking down everything that was given. After services they inquired if the book I was selling taught such beautiful things. I answered, "Yes," and quite a number were sold on the strength of that formal talk. But nothing would do but what I had to speak to them again; so I took up the "Second Coming of Christ;" and how glad they were to hear that!

On leaving there they gave us several things, such as pineapples, oranges, lemons, bananas, cocoanuts, etc. I felt so sorry to go. We sold there forty "Bible Readings." Oh, what a chance to work! I never saw anything like it in all my life. Truly the harvest is ripe, and the laborers are few.

You may think I was getting out of my sphere in holding services, but I could not help it. They forced me into it, and I did the best I could, and the Lord was especially near to me.

There is a shoemaker here that has virtually accepted the truth, and is teaching it to everybody. He is very earnest in the work. When we talked about tobacco, he threw his pipe out into the street. The same man opposed us a good deal in the beginning. He attempted to burn his books several times, but did not. You would be interested to hear him state how the devil tempted him to do this, and how the Lord was striving with him to read the books. He also went around and advised others to burn their books. So now he is going over the same ground telling them to read the books; it is life to their souls.