1891, Wm Arnold, Book Seller

don · 03-16-09 5:41 pm

1891, Wm Arnold Writes Home <a href="http://archives.llu.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=%2Fphotodb&CISOPTR=3440&DMSCALE=100&DMWIDTH=600&DMHEIGHT=600&DMMODE=viewer&DMFULL=1&DMX=0&DMY=0&DMTEXT=%2520wm%2520arnold&DMTHUMB=1&REC=1&DMROTATE=0&x=56&y=251" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.atomorrow.net/discus/messages/10/819.jpg" alt=""></a> (Click on image for LLU source) <a href="http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH18920412-V69-15/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=6" target="_blank">Review and Herald, April 12, 1892</a><blockquote>A LETTER FROM BRITISH GUIANA. [THE following letter from brother Arnold to his children, was not written for publication, but it gives so good a picture of the varied experiences of a worker in British Guiana, canvassing for " Great Controversy," that we are glad to be permitted to print it:—] DEAR CHILDREN :— I think you will be interested to hear of my work in the country since returning to Demerara (Now Guyana). You know I left Georgetown, the capital of Demerara, as the rainy season set in, to canvass Port- of-Spain, the capital of Trinidad. I took about three hundred and fifteen books there, and about the middle of August I delivered the last one, and took passage in the royal mail steam-ship for Demerara via Barbadoes, where I met brother Ball once more, and assembled with the brethren on the Sabbath. Tuesday morning with my "coolie man" and my satchel, in which was packed my hammock, Sanitarium biscuits, a supply of malted milk, spirit lamp, etc., I set out for the west bank of the Demerara River. We proceeded up the river from village to village and plantation to plantation, till the last estate had been reached, then returned to Georgetown Friday morning with over forty-five orders for books. At first I dreaded this method of work, but now I have come to like it, as there are no long walks to get home after the day's work, but I can make myself at home almost anywhere where there is room to hang up my hammock. We keep a good lookout for bananas (buckwa, as my coolie man calls them), and these with the graham crackers and hot milk afford a good substantial diet. Some of the better class have tanks for catching rain-water, but many of the poorer people drink from the canals, where they also bathe and wash their clothes. It is a saying here that if one will drink creek water and eat wild hog, he will never leave Demerara. As good water is so scarce, I carry a small supply in a little rubber bag, taking a new supply as opportunity affords. Very often we get green cocoanuts. Three of these are usually sold for half a bit, or four cents. A good cocoanut contains a glass of cooling beverage which is much sought for when fever prevails. As we tramped along the first day, I was told of a Mr. ——, who lives in one of the villages, where I could probably find accommodation for the night. At last we reached the place, and the house was pointed out. It was the home of a colored minister. The gentleman was not at home, but after a little hesitation, his wife gave me permission to swing my hammock in the "gallery,"—what you would call the veranda, only not so open, being mostly inclosed with blinds, and making a nice cool room in hot weather. Well, I prepared for the night, the first to be spent in a hammock. The situation was so novel that I rather enjoyed it, and was saying to myself, "How nice this is," when rip went the hammock. Just above my head was a large rent. The hammock was hardly worth the copy of <a href="%20http://www.adventistarchives.org/doc_info.asp?DocID=36544" target="_blank">"Marvel"</a> that I had traded for it. Well, thought I, I will turn it around, and try it again; but this time it let me down altogether. So I spread it out on the floor and lay down for the night; but the floor soon became very hard, and I finished the night in a large arm-chair. After my morning bath and breakfast, we were off again, my "coolie man," who says "Solam," for good morning, taking my large satchel on his head. The next two nights were spent in a Wesleyan chapel. By placing two seats facing each other, and using some cushions. I was able to rest very well. Shortly after three o'clock Friday morning the boatman began to blow his conk shell, as a signal that the tide was falling, thus permitting us the more easily to descend the river to Georgetown. Many of the boats here are called bateaus. They are shaped much like a canoe, and paddles are used instead of oars. As the bateaus are without rudders, and the river full of sharks and undercurrents, it becomes necessary to sit very still, or one may meet with disaster, as others have from time to time. Once I found myself too late for the ferry steamer, and so crossed the river in a bateau, paying extra, as it was night. On hearing of it, an old sea-captain said he would not risk himself in a bateau on the Demerara River at night. So perhaps I would better be more careful in the future. We reached the landing at Georgetown just as the town clock in the market tower struck six. Thus ended my first excursion into the country. As I write you this letter, I am seated in a humble cottage in one of the little villages far from Georgetown, on the west coast of British Guiana. We have crossed rivers and worked our way from island to island and plantation to plantation, sometimes stopping in school-houses for the night and again finding shelter in a coolie thatched hut from the rain. As the Sabbath was drawing on, I found a quiet place with an old colored lady on the banks of the Essequibo River I have a good hammock this time, and after the trip is over, I will bring it home to you. How thankful we should be that the Lord has given us a part and lot with his people in this grand and solemn time! We have much to cheer us on our way, much more than many others have had. As I look up at the gorgeous stars in the southern sky, I know that God's throne still stands, as they draw their light from that throne. How do I know this? Read "Great Controversy," page 476, and you will say so too. Your affectionate father, W. ARNOLD. Essequibo, South America. <a href="http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH18920412-V69-15/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=6" target=_top>http://www.adventistarchives.org/docs/RH/RH18920412-V69-15/index.djvu?djvuopts&page=6</a></blockquote>_______________________________ <a href="http://www.egwtext.whiteestate.org/gc/gc27.html" target="_blank">Great Controversy, p. 475-476</a><blockquote>“To those who comply with the conditions, "Come out from among them, and be ye separate, . . . and touch not the unclean," God's promise is, "I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:17, 18. It is the privilege and the duty of every Christian to have a rich and abundant experience in the things of God. "I am the light of the world," said Jesus. "He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12. "The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18. Every step of faith and obedience brings the soul into closer connection with the Light of the world, in whom there "is no darkness at all." The bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness shine upon the servants of God, and they are to reflect His rays. As the stars tell us that there is a great light in heaven with whose glory they are made bright, so Christians are to make it manifest that there is a God on the throne of the universe whose character is worthy of praise and imitation. The graces of His Spirit, the purity and holiness of His character, will be manifest in His witnesses.” </blockquote>_______________________________ Observations In this letter Wm Arnold demonstrates thoughtfulness, creativity, descriptive writing, respect for the books he sells, a love for his work, and a love for his children. This 1890's era of Adventism experienced bold adventures into the whole world. Just a few years before, Adventists had been led to affirm that Jesus Christ was the center of their world view. His Gospel Commission inspired them. The Third Angel's Message reached out to all places seeking to bring people to the Saviour. .

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1891, Wm Arnold, Book Seller

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