British Guiana by Mrs. E. C. Boger

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 2, 1914

British Guiana

By Mrs. E. C. Boger

MRS. E. C. BOGER

We wish to join in sending a word of cheer to fellow volunteers in distant fields, and the fields at home, from our corner by the sea. We returned from General Conference in July, with renewed strength. We enjoyed the hearty welcome from the brethren and sisters on our return to our chosen field; more than one tangible proof of sincerity was manifest. Many hundreds of pages of literature had been sold. A stubborn debt had been manfully struggled with and met, and, best of all, they had "sought to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." Thus the pleasures awaiting us were fully enjoyed by all. They gladly welcomed Elder and Mrs. C. E. Boynton and their infant son, new recruits voted at General Conference time. We had hoped to bring back help with us, and thus they were not disappointed.

Elder Boynton was soon appointed elder of the Georgetown church, and he finds his time quite fully occupied in attending to the needs and growing interests of the company here. The membership of the church is now one hundred and twenty-one. Elder Boger's time is largely taken up in looking after the general work and keeping in touch with the scattered companies. He has been able to purchase a strong seven-horse power Indian motor bicycle, with which he can accomplish about double the amount of work in less time and at less expense; and as work, time, expense, and strength are greatly to be reckoned with, we consider the machine a blessing with which we could not now dispense. He is not so strong as last year, although we all enjoy fairly good health, and have not had the malarial fever yet. He is at present down the east coast visiting several companies, one being at New Amsterdam, the old Dutch settlement which was laid out in 1822 on the muddy banks of the Berbice River. We have a neat church building there, with a Sabbath school membership of forty. Brother Henry Beck has charge of the work there and in the near-by vicinity.

On his return from New Amsterdam, Elder Boger will visit two small companies before reaching the Public Leper Asylum. There he will also call, for we have a little company of fourteen brethren at the asylum. This company is growing in numbers, and I believe in grace also. Trials of various kinds are confronting them, and they very much enjoy frequent visits. One of the number, who is unable to walk, but is wheeled about, understands music sufficiently to teach them the hymns. I wrote them that we had no song books to send them, but they could learn hymns by heart during the week to sing at Sabbath services.

In October we prepared for a public tent effort here in Georgetown. Neat invitation cards were placed in the homes of the people, and thus a good class of hearers was called out. Not all the fruit ripened before the close of the meetings, but house-to-house visiting and the opening of a Bible class have developed a nice company. Others are still interested. Sunday, January 4, Elder Boger buried sixteen believers in baptism. In other places throughout the field many are awaiting the same rite.

We have been favored by receiving the help of a worker from the island of Trinidad, Brother A. Riley. He came to us in September, and now has charge of the work in Queenstown and vicinity, where he is doing all he can to build up and strengthen the brethren and bring in "such as shall be saved." Our neat church building at Queenstown was recently dedicated. Elder A. J. Haysmer, president of the West Indian Union, paid us a short visit December 18 to January 4. Several of the church companies were visited. We were cheered by his coming and appreciated his counsel. Such visits come to us down here but once each year, and we do appreciate them.

ALL OUR WORKERS IN BRITISH GUIANA EXCEPT ONE
From left: Ella Burrows, Mrs. J. E. Wilson, A. E. Riley, Mrs. Boynton, C. E. Boynton,
Mrs. Boger, E. C. Boger. — ALL OUR WORKERS IN BRITISH GUIANA EXCEPT ONE From left: Ella Burrows, Mrs. J. E. Wilson, A. E. Riley, Mrs. Boynton, C. E. Boynton, Mrs. Boger, E. C. Boger.

We are of good courage. Our blessings are more than we can number. The thanksgiving of the psalmist is ours: "And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing." To all the workers we send the sweet comfort of Ps. 5:11, 12.