Our tent effort in Albuoystown closed on Tuesday, September 29, just eight weeks from the time it began.
Although there was some confusion at the opening of our meeting, the Lord intervened, and from the very beginning gave the victory each evening.
After the first few nights, we could not say that the interest diminished or increased. All who could well get in good hearing distance were there. Even in the streets, chairs, boxes, and stools were placed, and many sat on the ground.
At no time during the entire eight weeks, did we ever speak to a person because of bad behavior. This is more remarkable when we consider the mixed multitude, of almost all nationalities.
When the time came for our tent to be taken down, there was quite a touching scene. Several came and asked that the tent remain for a time, but it was necessary to take it down for repairs. Our meetings are now held in a room thirty by thirty feet, a short distance from where the tent stood.
SOME OF OUR INDIAN BRETHREN
A deep interest is taken by the people in a church building, and liberal donations were made at the first meeting held for the purpose of collecting money for a church building. Among the donors are several Chinese ladies, and yesterday I learned that a Chinese gentleman, whose shop is on the opposite corner from where our tent was located, has kindly offered us, free, a lot for our church building. Our second meeting to consider the church building will be held this evening, October 12, and there is good prospects of soon erecting a house in which to worship the Creator of heaven and earth.
Last Sunday morning, at 4:30, a company of believers met on the seashore, to witness the burial of fourteen precious souls with their Lord in baptism. This was the first baptism as the result of the tent work at Albuoystown. Others will soon be ready to follow their Lord in this ordinance. Including those who lived in Albuoystown, and kept the Sabbath before the tent was pitched, we now have fully thirty walking in the truth.
Among many other interesting experiences was that of a lady living near the tent, who was very sick. Her brother told me that they expected her to die in a short time; in fact, he said they did not think she could live until morning.
While we feel burdened many times for means and laborers to meet the demands, we do not get discouraged, but
My wife and I called to see her that afternoon, and found her very weak. We told her of the Great Physician, of his precious promises, and what he had done for others, and what he was able to do for her. She believed. We prayed for her, and the Lord heard. The next day she sent a message for us to return. We did so, continuing our supplications to God, and one week ago she was able to return to her home, over two hundred miles in the interior, feeling quite strong, and with a determination to help us in our work, which she is fully able to do, financially.
We now have the church at Kitty ready for the shingles, and we are pushing the work as rapidly as we can, in order to go to another field with our tent.
We press on to answer as many calls as possible.
I can not speak as encouragingly of our canvassing work as I would like to, yet some are doing a little work. Through one of our canvassers an earnest call was made from a village six miles from Georgetown. Brother Miller, a canvasser, returned from the Pomeroon district, in the northwest, bringing a good report. Two are now obeying the truth from reading books sold them, and others are deeply interested. The work in that field must largely be done by the canvasser and the colporteur, as it is impossible to hold meetings after 4 P. M., on account of the mosquitoes, which come each day at about that hour, in large swarms. The people seek the shelter of their mosquito nets. Brother Miller tells me that business of all kinds stops at from four to five in the afternoon. A sister at Morawhanna is disposing of many of our books, and is
conducting an interesting Sabbath-school. We are using seven hundred copies of the Watchman, now published in Trinidad. While we have seen no immediate results from this paper, yet we believe that it will be the means of bringing to many a knowledge of the message for this time.
East Indian Work
Our most perplexing question in this colony is the work among the coolies. Brother Hyder is much encouraged. A young colored man who is well versed in the Hindu language, and has had some experience in laboring among this people, has recently accepted the message. He has been employed for some time by one of the city churches as a teacher among the East Indian children, and some interest has attended his efforts. After considering the question carefully with this young man and Brother Hyder, it seems to me that the best results can be obtained by school work among the children. There is a much stronger inclination toward education with the East Indian children than with the creoles.
In the East Indian section of the city the streets are fairly swarming with coolie children from six to ten years of age. By a vigilant effort the majority could be brought into the schoolroom, and correct principles taught them. They are apt, and soon make bright students. When you win the hearts of the coolie children, then you can get near the parents. Hindu parents dearly love their children, and he who treats their children kindly can reach the heart of the father and mother.
To carry on this work properly about twenty dollars a month will be required. The young brother whom I have mentioned is anxious to begin the work soon, and is willing to sacrifice much to carry it forward. Twenty dollars a month will rent a schoolroom, pay the teacher, and provide the necessary books for the school. We are seeking the Lord earnestly, that the way may open for this work.
Last Sabbath we had the largest gathering of Sabbath-keepers we ever had in this city. It was the quarterly meeting occasion, and the companies at Kitty and Albuoystown met with the Georgetown church. It was a time of refreshing. To many it was the first opportunity for such an occasion, and many said it was the best experience of their lives. And why not? We have reached the time for brighter experiences.
At Legnan we enjoyed a like occasion. A new power and light has come to this company. Instead of expecting one of our ministers to look after them, they said they wanted the workers to go to15the front, and they would labor and pray for the progress of the Lord’s work.
