In submitting the report of the work in this field for the past two years, it is with thankfulness to God for his mercy and blessings upon the efforts that have been made, and with sorrow of heart that we have not accomplished much more than we have done, and have not entered many of the opening providences of God.
There are evidences of progress in the work in different respects, as the report will show in the raising up of new companies of believers, and the building of church-houses.
The Field
Our island is small, but a little world in itself. Its extreme length is one hundred and forty-four miles, and average width about thirty miles. The original name of Jamaica was Xaymaca, a word supposed to imply an overflowing of rivers, and truly its little rivers—which are many—are often overflowing from the rains which fall nearly every day of the year.
Laborers
There were three ordained ministers and four licensed ministers in 1903, and five in 1904 (the licensed ministers are all natives, and since the beginning of the present year one of these has been ordained to the ministry), also thirteen canvassers in 1903, and eighteen in 1904.
Tithes for 1903, $1,462.76, and for 1904, $1,427.03. Offerings for 1903, $842.53, and for 1904, $553.88. This decrease was in consequence of the destructive storm in the latter part of 1903, and the general depression that followed.
Progress of the Work
BUILDING A CHURCH
There are twenty organized churches with a membership of 784, and twenty-nine companies with a baptized membership of 310. These, with sixteen isolated and 257 unbaptized Sabbath-keepers, make a total of 1,367. There are twenty-two church buildings dedicated. Five have been built during the past two years. Eight are now in process of building.
From our American brethren we received $453.95 for our church-building fund. This enabled us to rebuild all the church-houses that were blown down by the hurricane, the Port Antonio house being the largest.
Sabbath-Schools
They are the life of each church and company. The donations for the year 1903, were $420.24, and for 1904, $228.24.
Church-Schools
A number were started during the two years, but the extreme hard times were such that the teachers could not be paid, and nearly all were discontinued, and the children went back to the government schools. A number have been started again, since the beginning of the present year.
Canvassing Work
During the past year our canvassers have sold $2,549.16 worth of books, this being an increase of $38.46 over the sales of 1903. The island has been literally sown with our books. The good seed is springing up everywhere, and the living preacher is being called upon for more light.
General Meetings
We have had no camp-meeting, but our conference meetings have been well attended by our people; and being held in Kingston, they have been the means of bringing the message to the notice of the general public.
The Watchman
During the two years 34,800 copies of the Watchman and English Good Health, and 400 copies of the Life and Health, have been sold. Our papers generally are received very cordially, and are eagerly read by the people.
Needs of the Field
Our need is money. With this could be provided an industrial central school, of which our young people stand in great need; and with this, we could establish a small sanitarium or treatment rooms for the suffering public, and by this means reach a class of people with the message that we could not otherwise reach.
