p. 11 | Progress in Nicaragua by H. C. Goodrich

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jul 25, 1912

Progress in Nicaragua

By H. C. Goodrich

H. C. GOODRICH

NICARAGUA has been a neglected field. More than two years ago I was at Point Limon, on my way to this field, but was driven back by the revolution that broke out just at that time. Again in March of last year, I got as far as Point Limon when I was called back by the fire of March 23, in which our mission house in Cristobal was burned down.

During the year past, every effort has been directed toward the rebuilding of our mission house. This done, and our three families comfortably settled, I once more started for Nicaragua, arriving at Bluefields on February 26, leaving the next day for Pearl Lagoon, where I held meetings for a week among the Mosquito Indians. Brother Kayasso, who is part Indian, had received the Sabbath truth in Cahuita, where he had moved some years ago. Feeling that he must give this new-found truth to his people, he sold his house and returned to Pearl Lagoon. As a result of his work thus far, two have received the truth, and others are interested. These, with Brother Joseph Watson and his wife, will make a company of seven adults who are keeping the Sabbath at Pearl Lagoon. Five were baptized, and others we trust will soon be ready to follow them in this sacred rite.

March 5 I returned to Bluefields, and had the privilege of visiting an American who was recovering from a painful surgical operation. He lived three days' journey up the Prinzapolka River among the Indians, and had an Indian wife. He seemed anxious to study the Bible, and we had several studies together while I was there. His nurse was an Adventist, who had been waiting two years for baptism. Sabbath morning we came down to the sea, where I spoke for about twenty minutes on the object and mode of baptism, after which I baptized Sister Omear. As a result, Brother Wright, who has lived here for many years, was asked by several to come and hold studies with them. Thus the way is opening in Bluefields after long years of patient seed sowing.

March 11 I left Bluefields for Prinzapolka, ninety miles north, on the

schooner "Wilhelmina," arriving next day, and had a preaching service that night, which was well attended. The next morning at seven o'clock, with two brethren to manage the canoe, I started for Wava River, thirty miles farther north. The sea was a little rough, but we arrived safely at 3 P. M., and started at once on our way up the river. We crossed a six-mile lagoon, went four miles up a creek, then took a walk of three miles, coming to Yulu, the home of Brother Brooks, who has lived six years in this place. He, too, is among those who have long waited for baptism.

We found the people of Yulu nearly all Indians. Two of them had accepted the truth through Brother Brooks's efforts. These women, Brother Brooks, and one of the brethren who came with me made four who were baptized at Yulu. One evening while I was speaking on the signs of the times, a young Indian named William Bent, who spoke English well, and had at one time been secretary to a commission of his people and had visited England in the interest of his nation, became deeply interested in the subject; and as the one who interpreted was not an expert in the use of the Mosquito language, he stood up just as I was closing my discourse, and gave an excellent outline of the whole subject.

Sunday morning we had baptism, and Mr. Bent—who takes charge of the Moravian meetings in the absence of the minister—dismissed his meeting, and advised all his people to go to witness the baptism, as it was the first one ever held there. Nearly the whole congregation (about fifty persons) went the two miles to the water with us. Here I spoke about twenty minutes through an interpreter, telling them the reason for being buried with Christ. And when I led the candidates down into the water and plunged them beneath its surface, many in the audience said, "That is right, that is the truth."

Monday morning I had the most touching expression of devotion that I think I ever met. The Indian women carry all the burdens, whether wood, water, or provision. I have seen a strong young woman carry three bunches of bananas on her back at one time by a strap across her forehead. From Yulu we had to walk four and one-half miles to Wava River, then go ten miles up the river, and sixty miles across a barren plain with here and there a cluster of pine-trees, this last part of the journey to be made with horses. I had engaged an Indian to act as guide, and also to carry my baggage; but it was only just daylight when the two Indian sisters who had been baptized the day before came and asked to carry my baggage. When I told them I had a man, and that it would be too much for them, they said, "No, we want to carry it for minister." So with a strap across the forehead, each took a satchel, and without change or stop carried it four and one-half miles to the river.

Cristobal, Canal Zone.

(Concluded next week)