p. 16 | Review and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 49. (12/5/1907)

Witchcraft among the Santals

By W. A. BARLOW

Santalia and the Santals—No. 5

Witchcraft among the Santals

W. A. BARLOW

The belief in witchcraft is probably the most ancient, the most widely distributed, and the most deeply rooted of popular superstitions. In ancient Egypt and Babylon, among Arabs, Greeks, Romans, and Jews, in the heart of Africa, in remote islands of the sea, and, until quite recently, even in what profess to be the most civilized countries of the world, there has been cherished the firm conviction that certain persons have, in some occult way, acquired the power of exercising a malign influence on their fellow creatures. A minister in a small town in one of the border counties of Scotland, told the writer, some time ago, that there was an old woman in their congregation whose mother had seen a witch burned alive on the top of a neighboring hill, and it was less than twenty years ago that an old man was dragged out of his bed one night in county Cork, and roasted to death, because he was believed to be a witch. Witchcraft is often superstition’s last ditch; it marks the final stand made by barbarism against the advance of civilization. It is not surprising, therefore, to find it still rampant among the uneducated classes in India, and it may be safely affirmed that over large tracts of country, there is not a magistrate’s court whose records do not furnish instances of cruel persecution on the pretext of witchcraft.

A Legend of Its Origin

The Santals have a legend of their own to account for the institution of witches, being in this respect somewhat more advanced than the people who accept them as in the order of things. “Once upon a time,” they say, “when all the world was young, husbands were alarmed to find that their wives were becoming refractory, not submitting to rebuke, and even reviling their lords and masters. The men determined to appeal for help to the Great Spirit, and in answer to their prayers, he appeared to them at midnight in the forest, listened to their plea, and distributed sal-trees among them, with the command that if they really wanted his help, they must appear before him again, twenty-four hours later, each bringing the sal leaf marked with his own blood. The wives, however, got wind of the affair, followed the men to their midnight meeting, and secretly overheard all that had been transacted there. So they put their heads together and contrived to outwit the men. When the latter reached home, the women received

them most graciously and plied them with drink till they were either oblivious of, or indifferent to, their engagement with the Great Spirit. The wives, however, disguised themselves as men, drew blood from their arms by pricking them with thorns, and with the sal leaves smeared in the prescribed way in their hands, met the Great Spirit at the appointed time and place. Pleased with their compliance, the Great Spirit communicated to them the secrets of witchcraft with the accompanying incantations. The result was that the men, finding their wives more abusive and troublesome than ever, again appealed to the Great Spirit. Then it transpired that the men had been forestalled. The Great Spirit said he could not revoke his gifts, and the best thing he could do for the men was to initiate them into the art of the jan, or witch-finder. The art, however, has always been regarded as inferior to the witches. The “dan,” the witch, enjoys the patronage of more powerful spirits than the jan, the witch-finder, with the result that the latter is often deceived and misreads the name that is traced in oil on the leaves he consults.

The Broom Again

Like most of their kind elsewhere, the Santal witches are supposed to hold their meetings at night. If they are married women, they are believed to be able by putting a broom into the bed, to conceal their absence from their husbands. Witches do not walk (so runs their belief), but are carried along on the wings of the wind. Any woman to whom a witch makes overtures to join the witches’ sisterhood is, as a rule, pestered till she consents, and then both teacher and pupil, with brooms tied around them instead of cloth, repair to the sacred grove of sal-trees near the village, where a fowl is sacrificed, and then cooked and eaten. The witch then calls a tiger, and when it appears, orders the novice to comb its hair and kiss it. The tiger submits, and when its toilet has been completed, the young witch is told she is now ready to practise her craft. She can go to fair or market, fix her attention on any young man or woman, and by repeating the formulas she has learned, cause him or her to become giddy and fall senseless at her feet. This is the proof of proficiency. In the hands of one not quite competent, the spell will still act, but not upon the intended victim.

So much for the beliefs; now come the facts. No Santal, says Dr. Campbell, believes that a human being ever dies a natural death. Deaths, not the result of violence or accident, are laid at the door of the witches. During the performance of the ceremonies that follow death, a man is supposed to become possessed with the spirit of the deceased, and when the relatives ask him why he went away and left them, he replies, “Because there was not room for me in the eye of a certain person.”

When cattle die without visible cause, from internal disease, their loss is also charged to the witch. In this respect the credulity of the people is appalling. Even in ordinary cases of malarial fever, husbands will charge their wives, fathers their daughters, brothers their sisters, with causing the disease by witchcraft, and no means is too atrocious to force a confession or compel the removal of the spell. Women, however, are not prosecuted, as they used to be in Scotland, on the general charge of being witches, but only for specific acts. The people, too, seem to regard the witch’s evil powers as subject to limitation, for, once they resolve to punish her, they are not deterred by fear of retaliation.

The Regular Procedure

The usual procedure in the case of a serious lingering illness, is to consult an ojha, or charm doctor. If his incantations are of no avail, to save his professional reputation he suggests a witch. Suspicion readily attaches itself to some woman who is known to be jealous or hostile, or who may have merely made an innocent remark about the probable fatal result of the illness. She is summoned to appear before a gathering of the villagers, and if she denies the charge, she and her friends are asked if they are willing to submit the matter to a jan, or witch-finder. Such a course is seldom if ever declined, for the refusal would be regarded as a plea of guilty. A deputation is appointed, representing both parties, whose duty it is first to select a jan—a matter often of the greatest difficulty—and then to wait upon him to present the case. They are received, not in the first instance by the jan himself, but by his assistant, known as the phul dharia, whose duty it is to worm out of the suspected person, on behalf of his master, all the possible information about the case. The jan refuses to meet the party until his assistant has succeeded in his object, and if the information received is not sufficient for his purpose, he may in the end decline to give an opinion. Then the deputation has to go elsewhere. When a jan is found willing to undertake the case, a meeting is arranged, and the spokesman of the deputation puts a number of questions to test the magician’s familiarity with the spirit world. At each question the jan rubs together two sal leaves smeared with oil, and after gazing intently at the lines formed by the oil, gives his answer. If these answers seem satisfactory and inspire confidence, the deputation proceeds to put questions regarding the specific object of the visit. If the jan, again consulting the oiled leaves, names a person as guilty, that settles the matter. No protestations will do the suspected witch any good. Her only course is to confess, and have the matter compounded as cheaply as possible. Nowadays the usual punishment is a fine, often amounting to fifty rupees, and, be it remembered, that is often more than the annual income of the family implicated. Half the fine goes to the landlord, the other half furnishes a feast for the villagers. It is a serious grievance with the Santals that the British government takes the side of the witches. They regard it as a monstrous injustice that they should be punished for taking measures of protection against disease and death.

The above is taken, largely, from the Indian Daily Telegraph.

Simultala, India.

The Conversion of a Buddhist Nun

Miss Julia K. Mackenzie gives the following striking incident, showing the power of the gospel to save: “When, last October, Miss Wahn, the nun—a miserable, sick, pitiable, repulsive-looking creature, in ugly priestly gray garb, and wearing a brass head-band over her uncombed hair, in token of a vow to repair temples—a wild-looking woman, indeed—came with a note from Mrs. Pierce, then at Chingnan, asking me to receive her until Mrs. Pierce’s return, it seemed just about impossible, and very unwise to receive her into our women’s compound, so near our girls’ school, for the Chinese say:—

“‘Ten Buddhist nuns, nine are bad, The tenth odd one surely is mad.’”

“As she whined out her woes, my soul revolted against receiving her. I had no time to give her out of my crowded days, and no reliable woman to put in charge of her; but there was my senior coworker’s request, and what could I do but grant it? ‘Christ died for the ungodly,’ and in her circumstances I would have been just such a woman—probably worse. So, putting the whole matter into our Lord’s hands, I received her. Her appearance caused a panic among our schoolgirls, who were afraid to go to sleep with such an outcast on the place, lest in the night she do us all some serious harm. Very fervent prayer for protection went to our Father that night. We couldn’t keep her on the place in nun’s garb, so that was changed. I gave her my ‘joinings of time’ and a little taken off from time in the school for Bible study. I found her very intelligent and eager to learn, and I believe she is a saved woman—one born again. She and two of our schoolgirls were baptized about three weeks ago. She helps me much in teaching the women who come every day to learn to read. She is also studying arithmetic and geography in our girls’ school.”—The Foreign Mission Journal.

St. Helena Hospital Dedication

By H. W. COTTRELL

The new hospital at the sanitarium, St. Helena, Cal., was dedicated Oct. 20, 1907. It was a very pleasant and profitable occasion for all present. Many were in attendance from the village and surrounding country. A very interesting program had been arranged, including papers on special topics, and remarks from a number of the leading brethren—Elders J. N. Loughborough, W. T. Knox, J. O. Corliss, and W. C. White, and Brother L. M. Bowen, the business manager of the institution.

The hospital is located in a grove on the side hill, with a beautiful view of the near-by valley. It contains about forty rooms, including wards, and has a gradually sloping ground entrance to each floor, which is very desirable.

Dr. H. F. Rand presented a written address upon the History and Object of Medical Missionary Work, which was highly appreciated.

[Dr. Rand's address will be found on page 22.]

Mrs. E. G. White delivered the dedicatory address. The servant of the Lord was very clear in her remarks, and was blessed of God with much freedom and power. She spoke as follows:—

Why We Have Sanitariums

“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”

“Thank God for this! The great reason why we have sanitariums is that these institutions may be agencies in bringing men and women to a position where they may be numbered among those who shall some day eat of the leaves of the tree of life, which are for the healing of the nations.

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him.”

“Our sanitariums are established as institutions where patients and helpers may serve God. We desire to encourage as many as possible to act their part individually in living healthfully. We desire to encourage the sick to discard the use of drugs, and to substitute the simple remedies provided by God, as they are found in water, in pure air, in exercise, and in general hygiene.

“Our object in choosing this location, when we were establishing the first sanitarium for the Pacific Coast, was that we might be away from the confusion of the cities. In harmony with the light given me, I am urging people to come out from the great centers of population. Our cities are increasing in wickedness, and it is becoming more and more evident that those who remain in them unnecessarily, do so at the peril of their soul's salvation. But in this place where we have met to-day, the very surroundings exert an influence in calling us to higher and purer lives. Here we have been able to gather in many, and they have been greatly benefited by a wise application of the means that God has provided for aiding in the recovery of the sick. We are thankful that we have similar institutions in many other places.”

“Our sanitariums are to be centers of education. Those who come to them are to be given an opportunity to learn how to overcome disease, and how to preserve the health. They may learn how to use the simple agencies that God has provided for their recovery, and become more intelligent in regard to the laws of life.

“Some have asked me, ‘Why should we have sanitariums? Why should we not, like Christ, pray for the sick, that they may be healed miraculously?’ I have answered, ‘Suppose we were able to do this in all cases: how many would appreciate the healing? Would those who were healed become health reformers, or continue to be health destroyers?’”

“Jesus Christ is the Great Healer, but he desires that by living in conformity with his laws, we may co-operate with him in the recovery and the maintenance of health. Combined with the work of healing there must be an imparting of knowledge of how to resist temptations. Those who come to our sanitariums should be aroused to a sense of their own responsibility to work in harmony with the God of truth.

“We can not heal. We can not change the diseased conditions of the body. But it is our part, as medical missionaries, as workers together with God, to use the means that he has provided. Then we should pray that God will bless these agencies. We do believe in a God; we believe in a God who hears and answers prayer. He has said, ‘Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.’”

“God would have us turn away from the fashions and the foolishness of this world. He would have us be a blessing to the community in which we live. Every Christian should be a means of disseminating the light of God's Word. God has given us minds, that we may understand, and it is our duty and our privilege to live in harmony with him and with the laws that he has established.

“And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign forever and ever.”

“The apostle is writing of the city of our God. We are preparing for that city, and we desire to do all we can to help others, that they also may find an abundant entrance into the city. We ourselves desire to be right with God, and we feel an intense interest that none may work against themselves, that they may not be reckless or careless of their health, but that their bodies may be in such a condition of health that they can fully appreciate their God-given privilege to prepare for the heavenly courts.

“And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.”

“Only think of the infinite sacrifice that has made this salvation possible. We should study the Word, that we may see more of its magnitude. Jesus Christ has bought us with a price. He laid aside his royal robe and his kingly crown in the heavenly courts. He clothed his divinity with humanity, and came to this sin-cursed earth that humanity might be a partaker of divinity, and, through obedience and love to God, might escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. He has thrown his arms of infinite love around humanity, and will draw unto himself all who will come. But if some will persist in having their own way, he can not bless them; for they will not come to him, that they might have life.”

“In the chapter from which we have read, we find this invitation given: ‘The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.’ There can be no excuse for those who lose eternal life because they have failed to respond to this gracious invitation.

“He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

“This is the first opportunity I have had of seeing this new building. I am pleased with it, very much pleased with it. Here the sick can be taken outdoors, where they can breathe the pure, fresh air. It will not be necessary for them to remain constantly in rooms where they are in danger of breathing impure air.

“We desire that there may be connected with this institution workers who shall give line upon line, precept upon precept, in order that those who come here may be benefited and blessed; and that they may see the consistency of breaking away from rebellion against the divine laws, and may come into harmony with the Lord God of heaven, who has made such an infinite sacrifice in their behalf. Shall we not all give to him our hearts, our minds, our service, our thoughts, all there is of us? Shall we not serve him faithfully, and at last find entrance into the beautiful city of our God?”

Elder Corliss invoked the blessing of the Lord, and the dedicatory prayer was offered by the writer.

H. W. COTTRELL.

Brooklyn (N. Y.) Church Number Two

By J. K. HUMPHREY.

THE work in connection with this church has taken a turn in the right direction. On Sabbath, October 12, we had a very inspiring quarterly meeting. Almost every member within the city limits attended, responded to the roll-call, and, with two or three exceptions, had words of courage and hope to give. It did my heart good to see the congregation stand

with unswerving loyalty to this organization and the truths and principles for which it stands. We decided not to come behind in the raising of our share of the $150,000 fund, and we pray that all our churches will rally and let this conference sing the song of jubilee before the Atlantic Union Conference convenes. This beautiful Sabbath closed, leaving behind it very pleasant reminiscences.

Sabbath, October 19, was also a day of great praise and gratitude to God.

A Young People's Society was organized in connection with this church, having as its incentive the great needs of our field. We have realized as never before that this message must go to the world in this generation; and if our people are to give it, we must bestir ourselves in a way we have not yet done; therefore we organized for aggressive work, and feel that if all the members of this Society receive the unction from on high, we shall not pull in our reins until the work is done. If I mistake not, this is the youngest Society now in the Greater New York Conference, and perhaps the smallest, but we are to be heard from at an early date, because we mean business. The battle is the Lord's, and we are his.

J. K. HUMPHREY.

Illinois

By P. G. Stanley; J. B. Locken

BLOOMINGTON.— A few years ago we had a strong church in this city, but death, apostasy, and removals have greatly reduced their numbers until only a very few are left to hold the fort. These were discouraged, and on the point of giving up their place of meeting because only four or five attended. We encouraged them to hold on, and promised to meet with them a few Sabbaths and help them. These meetings have been highly appreciated, and have been a source of strength and encouragement to the church. New life and interest have been awakened, backsliders have returned, and those who were cold and indifferent have taken on new life; some new ones are interested, and thus the attendance has been increased. A good strong effort put forth in this city would greatly encourage the church, and doubtless would bring out several new ones, giving us again a good strong church here. P. G. STANLEY.

ST. JOHN.— It was my privilege to spend a few days at Du Quoin, helping Dr. Dalbey with the interest at St. John, a small village adjoining Du Quoin. I spent ten days with him before camp-meeting, at which time nineteen signed the covenant; a few more have signed since, so in all there are twenty-three. Three of these attended our camp-meeting and were baptized, and during this last visit I baptized fifteen, five of whom were colored persons. There are yet others who are keeping the Sabbath, and who will be ready for baptism a little later. It was very encouraging to see how readily these dear souls responded to the requirements of God’s Word. Those who wore jewelry hastened to lay it aside, and gladly gave up all for Jesus.

Some of these new converts are enduring a great deal for the sake of the message. One sister who has been keeping the Sabbath for a short time, is passing through a severe trial. Her husband threatened to leave her if she accepted the truth, and he kept good his threat; she is left with two children to care for, but still she is faithful, and the last evening I spoke there, she was moved by the Spirit of God to decide to be baptized when opportunity offered. Heaven only knows what trials such souls go through for the love of the precious message they have found.

Dr. Dalbey is starting another series of meetings about three miles from Du Quoin, and we trust the Lord will enable him to raise up another little flock there. He has walked four hundred miles between his home and the place of meeting at St. John to give the message to that village. The promise is, ‘He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.’ J. B. LOCKEN.

Conditions in Alsace-Lorraine

By W. Ising

THE imperial provinces of Alsace and Lorraine are well known through the battles that were fought there in the German and French war of 1870-71, when they again fell back to the German empire. At the head of these stand a governor and a chamber of deputies who are responsible for the administration, which is supervised by the German Confederation. These provinces are connected with the South German Conference of the German Union. Their area equals exactly the State of Connecticut in North America, having just double the population, or 1,814,564. The last statistics, of 1905, state that there are 1,386,400 Catholics, over seventy-five per cent, against only about 290,200 Protestants.

Our readers will remember that recently the prince regent of the kingdom of Bavaria has graciously granted the liberty of free performance of their religious services to Seventh-day Adventists. While on the other hand, the kingdom of Wurtemberg and the grand duchy of Baden are tolerant, the situation in Alsace-Lorraine is entirely different. Religious liberty has not yet been proclaimed. Knowing the intolerant character of the Catholic Church and its preponderating influence here, with over three fourths of the entire population as followers, we can readily understand the reason. From these facts it can be plainly seen that the promulgation of the Bible truths, as they are preached in the third angel's message, with the law of God as the standard, can progress only very slowly under such conditions, especially as the situation is intensified by the governmental laws, which evidently reflect the Catholic tendencies.

Public meetings are allowed to be held only under the condition that a legal society is organized; and unless this has been done, our brethren have no permission to gather for worship, under a penalty of from fifty to one hundred fifty marks each. A society can be formed of seven persons. Minor persons can not be received as members, and are not allowed to attend the meetings at all. The same is the case with strangers who dare not attend the meetings unless they can prove their invitation by some written statement. The following precept in the law dealing with this subject is of interest: “Every public meeting must have a presiding committee, consisting of the chairman and at least two assistants. The chairman must preside and conduct the meeting with respect to keeping order; in case of a committee not yet being formed, the caller of the meeting takes charge of it. These three members of the committee must be subjects of the empire. Foreigners are not allowed to hold public meetings unless they are called upon by the committee, which in this case is responsible to the police for the lecture. The committee is compelled to report every meeting to the police authorities, stating the subject of the lecture, with the texts that will be referred to. The meeting must be held under the superintendency of a police officer, whose duty it is to take care that the speaker does not deviate from the particulars given in the statement, in which case the officer shall be duly authorized to immediately stop the meeting.”

These particulars are sufficient to show how difficult it is to preach the message in these provinces. Notwithstanding these obstacles we know that it must progress. The light of the third angel's message must shine forth and illuminate the dense darkness in which these people are confined. Their attention must be called to the Bible, thus giving them an opportunity to grasp the plain truths of its teachings.

Our brethren in the south have felt this responsibility in the past, and it has become a heavy burden on them to go forward in spite of the difficulties with which they have to contend. Certainly, while these rigid laws are in force, some issue must be found in compliance with these regulations, as it was necessary under the former conditions in Bavaria. They have meanwhile made a beginning in this way, which is the best in this emergency, and have formed a legal society, the officers of which at the same time constitute the committee for the public meetings. They feel confident that after a start has been made, and the authorities have become more acquainted with them, they will be able to secure more liberty. The experience in Bavaria under similar conditions encourages us to believe that these efforts will not be in vain.

There are quite a number of larger cities in the two provinces: Strassburg, with a population of 168,000, Mülhausen, with 94,000; Metz, with 60,000; Colmar, with 42,000; and Hagenau, with 19,000 inhabitants. In Strassburg (Alsace) there is a little company of eight Sabbath-keepers, while a few isolated members are scattered in this large territory. This city is the only place where a very modest beginning has been made, and the brethren have chosen it for their new efforts. Workers have been located here, and public meetings will doubtless be held soon.

Considering the various other countries in the European field where considerable difficulties must be overcome, there are good hopes and prospects that the exertions in this part of the large field will succeed in the building up of God's work and the making of his name known to the nations. We confidently believe that with the help of God the message will conquer also in the fortress of Strassburg, which will become a stronghold of the present truth, from which it will spread out into the other parts of Alsace-Lorraine, the utmost southwest of our German Union.

W. ISING.

West Indies

By Mrs. W. A. Sweany

MT. ROSE, ST. PATRICK, GRENADA.—August 17 we dedicated our little church building here. That was a good day in the experience of our little company. We met at nine o’clock in the morning, and at our first service in the church we dedicated the building to the Lord. We also consecrated ourselves and our all anew to the service of the Master. It seems to me it was the best meeting I ever attended. It lasted till twelve o’clock, although no one realized it was so late. Once Mr. Sweany thought he would close, and provide for another meeting. But he could not: each one pressed in with a testimony of praise and thanksgiving.

Quite a number not of our faith, men of the world, were present, and seemed to take a deep interest in the exercises. As their hearts were made tender by the influence of the Lord’s Spirit, tears flowed freely. They were “almost persuaded,” but are waiting for a more “convenient season.” What a sad day for all such when once they awake to the fact that they have tarried too long, and that they are forever shut out of the kingdom!

I must tell you of one little incident of that day which moved to tears every one present. One little East Indian woman, who is such an earnest, consecrated person as we do not often meet, feels a burden for her brothers and sisters, and especially for her oldest brother. He is a wicked man in every sense of the word. However, he was present at the meeting, and she in her testimony spoke of her love for him, and her longing to see him saved. She then turned to him, and between her sobs, implored him to yield to the Lord, before it was too late. It was a scene that would melt a heart of stone. Many wept aloud; he bowed his head in his hands and wept like a child. O that all could forever cast off the shackles of sin, and be free in Christ Jesus!

Perhaps you may be interested to know more of this sister’s experience. She is the mother of sixteen children, nine of whom are living. She does all their sewing, washing, and general work, labors in the garden, and now and then works by the day, on an estate, for which she receives twenty cents. She heard and accepted this message, and was filled with a longing desire to learn to read for herself from the Bible. So after we moved here, she asked me to teach her. Her husband ridiculed her, and her friends told her it would be impossible for one of her age to learn. But she was not so easily discouraged. Evening after evening, when her work was over, she came to me for her lessons. We used “Best Stories” for a lesson book, and she studied hard. In a short time she could read fairly well. How happy she was when she could read some from the Bible for herself! Now she can find her memory verses, and memorize them, and she takes great delight in doing this. This only shows how willing the Lord is to help those who will help themselves. If only those who have greater light and privileges would be as faithful, how much it would mean for this cause!

Our meetings were continued on Sunday, for the benefit of those not present Sabbath day. We had services at three and seven o’clock. The attendance was good. Appropriate songs and Scripture exercises helped to add to the interest. Then each evening during the week service was held. We feel that on the whole it was a profitable occasion, and we trust lasting good will be the result.

I quote from Volume VI, page 108, of the “Testimonies:” “Workers in new territory should not feel free to leave their field of labor till the needed facilities have been provided for the churches under their care. Not only should a humble house of worship be erected, but all necessary arrangements should be made for the permanent establishment of the church-school. . . . The school-room is needed just as much as is the church building. The Lord has persons to engage in the work of establishing church-schools as soon as something is done to prepare the way for them.”

In view of this and the great need before us, we do not feel free to leave this locality until we can leave a good school in operation. The schoolroom is all ready, and the children are waiting, but we have no teacher. We are earnestly seeking the Lord to help us find a teacher, and believe he will send us the much-needed help. [The Educational Department of the General Conference is seeking to secure a teacher at once for this place.—Ed.] The waiting seems a bit tedious, when we are so anxious to move on and open up the work in another field. But we are not waiting in idleness. We are working, doing with our might what our hands find to do. We have adopted the plan of the second tithe for the support of the teacher, and one of our members pledges $2.40 a month. The children are all anxious to get into our own school; they do not want to go to the public school.

Our company is increasing little by little. Five are to be baptized this quarter, and some others must wait and be more fully instructed.

We still make our regular trip through the island once each month, distributing literature, visiting the people, and studying with interested persons. These trips are very wearing; but they enable us to come in contact with the people, and to sow the precious seeds of truth, and we hope for a bountiful harvest as the result. Three schoolmasters live out six miles from one of the towns we visit. My husband walks out there each month, and has some interesting talks and studies with them. They see the truth, and love to read our books and papers, and we trust these long tramps over the mountains, in the hot sun, will be a means in the hands of God of helping them to make a right decision.

We work hard, and yet enjoy such health that it is a constant source of astonishment to the people here. What a privilege to be connected with a people to whom the Lord has given so much light in regard to health principles! We are having a real feast in the study of “Ministry of Healing,” and feel sure that this book is going to prove a great blessing to our poor people.

The natives here are very superstitious. They are afraid of water, “night air,” etc. When the bedroom floor is scrubbed, the occupant of the room goes to other apartments for three nights, for fear of taking cold, because of the damp floor. At night they close every door and window; and if there happens to be a little crack anywhere, they stuff it with rags, to keep out the “deadly night air.” In all such foolishness the doctors encourage them. They think that if one were to eat oranges when he is warm, it would give him leprosy. After one has ironed even a few pieces, she must not venture out the remainder of the day. And so I might go on at almost any length, telling of their peculiar ideas. It is exceedingly difficult for them to break from them. But gradually, as they study the Word of God and become more enlightened, these superstitions are dropped, and after a time they look back and laugh at what they once believed.

This is a difficult field. It takes a great deal of hard, patient effort, to search out the honest hearted. But they are worth looking for, and by the help of the Lord we mean to do a thorough work. We have so persistently sown the island with the precious seed that we hope that when we start in another place, it will not take so long to develop a company. The Lord has enabled us to break down, or live down, the prejudice, and has given us warm friends throughout the island. We believe our stay here has not been in vain, and that our lives have had an influence for good over the people of this community. And what more can we ask—just to be instruments in the hands of God to help along his work in the earth? We are eagerly looking forward to the time when we shall be able to open the work elsewhere.

We are of good courage. We love this work. It is our very life, and we are doing all we can to help finish it. We want to stay “in the front” till the victory is won. We long for the coming of our Saviour, and so are doing all we can to hasten the day of his appearing. We pray for those at the head of the work who have heavy responsibilities resting upon them.

MRS. W. A. SWEANY.

Continue reading: The Fourth Annual Meeting of the Review and Herald Publishing Association