BAPTISTS IN PUERTO RICO.
By A. B. Rudd
[By Missionary A. B. Rudd, in Baptist Argus.] BAPTIST mission work in Southern Puerto Rico dates from Jan. 30, 1899. Already, Ponce had been selected as the most suitable place for headquarters. Not until July 15 could a suitable hall for services be secured, and on the following day (July 16) our first public service was held, with an attendance of about 30. The hall is well located, and at the beginning seated about 130. Gradually the attendance grew, and now the hall, tho seating 180 (a partition having been removed), is often filled to overflowing. On November 21 a church was organized, with 14 members. The present membership is 55, of which 53 have been received by baptism and 2 by experience. For the first few months our Sunday-school was small and gave but little promise of growth; but all of a sudden it ran up to something like 150. Two of the five classes are now taught by native members, who were baptized only a few months ago. In Adjuntas, a town of some 2,500 inhabitants, and center of a large and densely-populated district, about 18 miles inland13from Ponce, we have held services at irregular intervals since last August, with encouraging results. During a part of this time a most interesting class of children for Bible study, varying in attendance from 30 to 50, has been kept up by Mrs. Rudd, Mrs. Duggand, and Mrs. Tiller. Within a few weeks we hope to baptize some six or eight of the many candidates who have asked for baptism, and so form there the nucleus for another church. A few weeks ago a good beginning was made in Yanco, a town of 7,000 inhabitants, 20 miles from Ponce, and connected with it by rail. For several months we have been holding services in three thickly-settled country places, where the outlook is good. Early in August Mr. C. A. Tiller, a business man of Brooklyn, and an earnest Christian worker, settled in Ponce, and from the first took a lively interest in the work of our mission. His knowledge of Spanish, and his long experience with the Latin races (he was born in Central America), have enabled him to render most valuable help in the work. Since January 1 he has been associated with us as missionary evangelist. In November Mrs. J. P. Duggand, of North Carolina, eminently fitted by nature, grace, and experience for missionary work, came to us, and has rendered most efficient service among the women and children, both in Ponce and Adjuntas, dividing the time between the two places. We are contending against Romanism, Spiritualism, and stolid indifference—three tough antagonists. The first, tho dormant for a while, is now beginning to assert itself; the second holds distinctive sway over thousands on the island; the third meets us at every turn, and presents, perhaps, the greatest obstacle to the progress of the truth. The outlook for the work is decidedly bright. In spite of contending forces, crowds come to hear the Word. We have gone slowly, to avoid mistakes. Not a third of those who have asked for baptism have been received. We realize that we are doing foundation work, and would be careful how we do it. Ponce, Puerto Rico, April 11, 1900.