p. 17 | Untitled article by U. Bender

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Aug 29, 1912

From Jamaica to Bonacca

By U. Bender

THE last of May I left Jamaica for Central America, via Colon, Panama. The first stage of the journey requires two days. Arriving in Colon on Sunday morning, I had the privilege of speaking that evening in the new chapel, which had been dedicated not many weeks before. This chapel is well suited to the work in Colon. It was erected to replace the one destroyed by fire in March, 1911. It is not so large as the former building, but is all that is needed now that the Watchman Press is located in Jamaica. On the second floor are three suites of rooms, and below are the chapel, the office of the West Caribbean Conference, and one living-room.

Four days from Colon brought me to Port Barrios, Guatemala. The next day I got a boat for Cortes, Honduras. Leaving there the day following, I came to La Ceiba by sailboat. At this place I found the brethren and sisters busy preparing to attend the camp-meeting which was to be held June 20-30 on Bonacca, one of the Bay Islands. We sailed the next day, and after stopping here and there along the way, reached Bonacca Monday afternoon. It was indeed a pleasure to meet with the people who had assembled on the camp-ground. Beginning Thursday night, we followed a good program for the next ten days. The Lord blessed in the meeting. The brethren and sisters were faithful in attending the services. The Sabbath-school numbered more than one hundred eighty. The donations for the two Sabbaths amounted to $60.80. The other meetings held on the Sabbath revived and strengthened the people for future service.

Three days were given to convention work. The papers on different phases of the work were good. The night services were attended by many of the people living on the cays.

This is the largest gathering our people have had in Central America. Some attended for the first time. They expressed their determination to attend the next camp-meeting. While at this good meeting, where we enjoyed so much of the blessing of the Lord, we could hardly realize that in Canada and the United States alone eleven other camp-meetings were being held at the same time. So great has this work grown that hardly a day passes but somewhere in the world is a gathering of people to seek God's blessing, and to plan for the furtherance of this message.

We are always sorry when a good meeting comes to an end. But we could do the world no good were we to remain together continually; so we must go back to our homes to put into practise the things we have learned. May the Lord help us in this, that we may be true to our profession.

On the last Sunday afternoon Elder N. V. Willess baptized fourteen candidates. This makes twenty-five who have been baptized during the year.

This conference has done well during the past year in tithes and offerings. A little has been done in selling our books. The report of the Sabbath-school secretary showed growth in that branch of work.

We were glad to have with us Dr. and Mrs. A. J. Heatherington, who rendered much help in labor with the young people and children, and also in the business of the conference.

Another year, with the annual gathering, has passed, and we look forward with longing hearts to the next, knowing that each one as it passes brings us nearer the coming of our King. U. BENDER.