Seven Months in the Tropics
By James M. Taylor
By Evangelist James M. Taylor [We are not personally acquainted with the above missionary. We do not know his church affiliations. But we believe in the Gospel which we also believe he is endeavoring to herald to needy, waiting ones. His effort and sacrifice appeal to one.—ED.] For more than seven months our band of faithful soldiers have fought for Jesus under a tropical sun. The victories have been all that the strongest faith could have expected. Our family has consisted of from twelve to seventeen. We have labored on seven islands, and are now on the continent of South America. 1,024 services have been conducted; we have sold or given away 15,000 Bibles, or parts of it; while 25,000 other books and pamphlets, with 3,500,000 tracts and papers, have been put out in Jesus' name, to do good. Better yet, we have seen over 10,000 souls kneel at the altar seeking God. Our party has been gradually breaking up. Several have tarried at various points to do missionary work. My wife, child, and Mrs. Rose Potter Crist left yesterday for the States, leaving me alone on the field. The time allotted to the trip was spent, and then three months added to it. Not one of the party has thought of taking any remuneration for their services, and expenses were not even guaranteed. We left the States by faith, believing God would supply our needs.15 I do not feel that the work should cease yet. For months my heart has been burdened for the neglected interior of South America. Business men plunge into the interior for gold, rubber, and diamonds. When urged by wife and members of our party not to risk it, we have felt that we could surely risk for Jesus what others risk for money. The rainy season is on, but this is the only time for the interior, as far up the rivers the water is too low in dry weather for a canoe, and this is the only mode of travel. There are scores of towns and villages with 500 to 10,000 inhabitants. They must have the Gospel. We visited one village today for a 2 P. M. service; there were 200 present, and 75 in the altar. I am tarrying for a few months alone, and will reach these places on bike, in boat, etc. Then the gold camps and balata fields, with the many tribes of aboriginal Indians, must hear about Jesus. We have not mentioned the East Indians, Mohammedan and heathen, crowded together with 2,000 to 5,000 on a single plantation. After touching as far as possible the interior of this colony, I expect to go 1,500 miles up the Orinoco River into Venezuela. After this, on to several islands, with Porto Rico for my last stop. Many at home would go if they knew where. Hundreds of these villages and camps are anxious for a missionary. By His help we want to bring each in touch with the other. Our accommodations will be a hammock swung between two trees, and a canvas stretched over us, but Jesus didn't have even this. May we depend on your prayers? Pray for three things: first, that our health may be preserved; second, that He will supply our needs; third, that we may have access to the hearts of the people. Address me until October, Bridgetown, Barbados, British West Indies, and it will be forwarded. American address, 807 Deery Street, Knoxville, Tennessee.