In Beautiful Jamaica by William A. Spicer

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 1, 1916

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 43, No. 30.

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In Beautiful Jamaica

By William A. Spicer

An Encouraging Report of the Gospel's Triumphant March Among These Dusky Islanders

By William A. Spicer

Pastor N. J. Aalborg and wife, whom we found working in the mountain districts of west central Jamaica

One way of visiting the churches. E. C. Boger, president of the Jamaica Conference and Mrs. Boger, with their motor.

THE prettiest of the West Indies, so far as I have seen, is Jamaica. At every visit, one wonders at the mountain scenery in an island so small, and at the rivers that come rushing down to the sea.

One falls back always on Columbus's old method in trying to describe it. When he told Queen Isabella of the beauties of Jamaica, it is said, he crumpled up a sheet of paper, then partially stretched it out, saying, "The island is like that." It is all mountains and valleys, save for a few level strips along the coast.

Thirteen years ago, I visited parts of it by horse and carriage — a slow method up and down these mountains. On a recent trip, I found the times had indeed changed. Things have been speeding up in all the world in the last decade. There is a call for haste in doing things, and gospel work is hastened on by the new methods. Otherwise I hardly see how our work in populous Jamaica could be administered so successfully. First, Elder E. C. Boger, the president of the Jamaica Conference, made his rounds by motor bicycle, Mrs. Boger often joining in visiting the churches by means of the side car.

For all weathers and roads, however, the more recent plan of using an automobile has proved the best method. "I can reach any church in the island," Elder Boger told me, "in one day's run from the Kingston conference office."

Two Thousand Dusky Believers

WITH fifty-nine companies of believers and over two thousand members in the island, it is good that the day has developed the means by which close supervision and administration of the work may be maintained. On our recent trip among the churches, we were able to hold meetings in from one to three places a day, the longest day's run being 143 miles.

On the mountains and in the valleys I found the little churches; and everywhere, one could see signs of growth. One church on a mountain top — meeting in a fine stone chapel — is near the wild maroon country, and they have taken the burden of bringing the truth to the maroons. The maroons are descendants of the runaway slaves of the old Spanish and planter days, who found refuge among the dens and rocks of the wild cockpit country, still little known.

Pleasing experiences and kindest hospitality one meets among the believers in the Jamaica circuit. When we reached one mountain church for a ten o'clock week-day appointment, it was raining. But there was a congregation gathered for the brief forty minutes' stop. As the visiting ministers entered, we were greeted by the song:

"Welcome, thrice welcome, Ye loyal host of God! Welcome, thrice welcome, From near and from abroad! Though changing years pass swiftly by, Our cause is still the same; And thus we gladly greet you in Our Master's conq'ring name."

The welcoming hymn had a ring that really warmed the hearts of the visitors as it sounded out that misty morning in the mountains.

The Acme of Belief

HERE is the testimony borne by a country woman in another meeting, on the north side of the island. It illustrates the manner in which the Spirit of the Lord flashes the truth into simple hearts.

"I had heard," she said, "that Seventh-day Adventists did not believe in Christ. One Saturday, going to market, I met Brother ——, who said to me, 'Good morning, sister!' I thought, Why does he call me sister? I said to him, 'Why do you call me sister, when you do not believe in Jesus?' 'I do believe in Jesus,' he said. 'Do you?' I asked. 'Yes,' he replied; 'and if you believed in Him as I do, you would not break His Sabbath.' There for a few minutes he told me about the Sabbath and the coming of Jesus. I went on to the market, but I could not buy a thing. I went home, and told my husband: 'I cannot go to market any more on the Sabbath; I must follow Jesus in Sabbath keeping too.' And I do thank God for what this truth is to my soul, and for the blessed hope of seeing Jesus when He comes."

LOADING BANANAS ON THE STEAMER — JAMAICA

So up and down beautiful Jamaica the message of preparation for the coming of the Lord is making its way. And lives are transformed by it. Drink and tobacco are put away. There is a reformation where the message of reform goes. The truth appeals to all classes and to those of all faiths. The Lord is coming. That is the great and overwhelming fact. Whether one is Protestant or Catholic, believer or unbeliever, the message of prophecy fulfilling before our eyes in token of Christ's soon coming is a word that appeals.

"Last season, we held a tent meeting in Kingston," said Elder Boger. "About forty took their stand for the truth; and of these, half were Roman Catholics." To-day there is no apparent difference. All are made one in taking the stand upon the platform of Christ and the apostles, "the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."

In Jamaica I found the printing headquarters of the West Indian work, under the management of an old SIGNS office worker, A. F. Haines.