Earlier text: The Curse of Self-InvolvementThe Work in Indiana
By W. J. Stone
FROM the April reports sent in by our workers I glean the following:— Elder W. A. Young reports two baptized, one united with the Franklin, and the other with the Noblesville church. Elder B. Hagle reports one new convert, and the scattered brethren where he has visited greatly encouraged. At Muncie Elder U. S. Anderson baptized three, and four united with the church. Elder A. L. Miller reports five new converts at Seymour and Waldron, who united with these churches. The Bible workers at Indianapolis report two converts who have moved to Riverside, Cal., and will unite with the church there. Brother R. W. Leach reports a good interest at Peru. Four have embraced the truth there, all heads of families. At Logansport Elder Victor Thompson baptized four who united with the church. Others are interested. Luzerne Thompson reports one convert at Northfield, and the church greatly revived. Elder O. S. Hadley and wife give a glowing report of the work in West Indianapolis, and report four new converts. Why should not these good reports continue to come in? There was never a time when the truth could be made plainer than now, and God has promised a large measure of his Holy Spirit to accompany his faithful workers. DURING the year and five months of my labor in this State, about three months of the time was spent in Petersburg and Hampton, the balance in Richmond, where thirteen have been added to the church,—five by letter, six by baptism, two by vote, besides four or five others who are keeping the Sabbath, and several who are at the point of decision. During this time there were many marked evidences of God's special blessing in answer to prayer, for which I am very grateful. Personally my hope and courage in God were never better, and thankfulness for God's protecting and guiding hand during the present year has been a daily source of comfort and consolation. In harmony with the recommendation of the General Conference Committee that I labor in Vermont, I left Richmond, May 14. I was glad to meet old friends in Springfield, Mass., where I spent a most profitable and enjoyable Sabbath and Sunday, meeting with those whom I had long known, and whom God had blessed. May 18 my wife and I reached the home of our daughter. She and her husband are settled in a part of the State where no Sabbath-keepers are living. This gives them an opportunity to live and give the message for this time to those who know not the present truth. There are many thriving villages and beautiful farms nestled among the Green Mountains, all teeming with those who are judgment bound with us. Pray that they and we may be wise in winning souls for whom Christ died. My present address is Barnet, Vt., R. F. D. 1. West Indies
By W. Durant Forde
ST. LUCIA.—Despite the difficulties that confront us in this stronghold of Roman Catholicism, God is blessing the work, and causing the seed to spring forth. The Catholics seem set against the message, while the few Protestants of the Church of England and Wesleyan Methodists stand afar off. But God is back of his message, and is showing himself mighty to save in spite of Catholic prejudice and Protestant indifference. It is to the shame of the Catholics that the island is buried in the very blackness of superstition and ignorance. To illustrate: When a person is sick, the first one generally sent for is the priest, who confesses and absolves the patient. Candles are lighted and left burning in the sick-room; in these the sick person has much faith, for should he die, he is sure to have light to guide him through the valley of the shadow of death. These superstitious ideas have given rise to “obeahism”—the native name for necromancy—which is a highly practised art here. Not only the lower and ignorant classes, but the higher and so-called educated classes, indulge in this base invention of Satan. The island is not behind other places in drunkenness and other vices. From six to nine in the morning and from one to two in the afternoon on Sundays the rum-shops are allowed to be open; but should grocery stores, dry-goods stores, or provision shops dare to open their doors, the owners would find themselves summoned before the justice of the peace for Sunday violation. It is unnecessary to say that in the streets where rum-shops are located, scenes of disorder and indecency are most common on Sundays; for then the people have more time to become intoxicated. In the midst of this moral darkness Isa. 55:10, 11 is being verified; the fulfilment of the promises of God gives us courage, and we are looking forward to greater victories. In Castries, the capital, ten have stepped out to walk with us. These have been receiving instruction for some time, and are now awaiting baptism, which we hope will be performed soon. This will make our company seventeen in number, while our Sabbath-school has increased from eight to twenty-eight. We are receiving rich blessings in this department also, which we believe come to a great extent as a result of our trying to help others by giving all our Sabbath-school offerings to missions. Our week-of-prayer season was one of spiritual refreshing. The Spirit of God came very near to us as we met early in the mornings to pray for the success of the work in general, and for spiritual strength and consecrated devotion to carry forward the work in the year before us. The following week I went to Victoria, thirty-five miles from the city, and conducted week-of-prayer services with the company at this place. Eight are awaiting baptism here, making a total of eighteen awaiting baptism in the island. It is imperative that we have a church building in St. Lucia if our work is to make greater progress. This will give us a better standing among the people, and cause our work to be more influential. The company at Victoria has given a lot for the erection of a school and church building. A school is also needed. The nearest school in their district is three and one-half miles distant; to this the parents will not send their children; for it is a Catholic school. When further plans are laid, we shall be glad for the help of the lovers of the cause in the erection of a monument to the truth in St. Lucia. A Young People's Society was organized at the opening of the new year, which has already begun to reap results by winning to the cause one Christian woman. Two members of the Salvation Army are also on the verge of casting in their lot with us. We ask to be remembered at the throne of grace in behalf of the work here.