The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-08-17
MISSION WORK IN CUBA.
REV. a. J. DIAZS EXPBR FENCES
AMONG Tdg CUBANS.

The Baptist Church Gaining Strong
Foothold in Havana aud throughout
tbs Islend-M MI Disz Tells Of the
Work He is AccomplishiaE-Some
Humorous Features OF Missionary
Work
Rev. A. J. Dlaz. the well-knowS Baptist
missionary. who has attracted so much AZ
tention during the last few years oy his
Nork in Cuba, spent yesterday in Savan-
nah.
+ Mr.. Diaz arrived yesterday morning from
Atlanta. and registered st the De Soto. He
has been III this country about eighteen
DAYS. in the interest Of his mission
AIRY work in Cuba. and looking
after several Cuban students whom
be has placed IN the Baptist schools
In this country. He has sister at the Bap>
list Female College Of LAGRANGE aud there
is Youug maa a. Greenvile. S. C., study
in for the ministry. sent there by Mr.. Dlaz
and his church IL havana
Nr. Diaz made interesting addresses YES
tarisT at the Duffy street Baptist Sunday
school IL the morning and the First Baptist
Sunday school In the afternoon. he told
about the pr'grsss of his work
IN Cuba aud the success with
din, u,tiss. Mr.. Diaz said the church at
Havana was organized about five years
sgo and now has 1900 baptized members
snd 1850 others who desire baptism and
will receive it as soon as he is convinced OF
TIE sincerity Of their conversion. They
have An ATTENDANCE OF 1000 in the Sunday
schools, Of which there are several scattered
through the city. The schools are taught
daily as we'll as Sunday. They now have
twenty one Baptist missionaries laboring in
tbs city, all Of them native Cubans.
M Dis. told of the conversion of his own
father from the Catholic faith through the
+ lnst-uEosaisllfy Of his little daughter, and
z % 6 hunk # similar conversions through
the placing q the scriptures in the hands Of
R TIN psools
+ I'VE aanT preach the gospel" said Mr..
( DiAz no3sstlr. TOD converts them in his
own way
/ At the conclusion Of his address at the
/ FIRST Baptist church in the afternoon Mr..
{ DIX sang two verses of the song, "What q
I friend vs. have il Jesus, ;" in Spanish, by re-
/ quest tn third verse was sung in En-
/ g.ish, and was joined in by the school.
Mr.. Dia1 preached to large congregation
at the Duffy Street Baptist church last
| night, every seat being filed and several
persons left standing. The subject OF his
discourse was the work in Cuba aud its
various features.
Mr. DiaZ has met with constant opposi-
ton In his work and has been several times
imprisoned He has CONE to the conclusion,
however, that be prefers opposition to peace,
as by means Of it greater attention is at
tracted to his work and he is enabled to do
more good.
Mr.. Diaz reviewed his persecution and re-
lated his vicissitudes in such a humorous
manner that his congregation was fire.
quently provoked to laughter, II was evil
dent that he is possessed Of keen sense of
humor as well as q great deal of native
shrewdness and tact.
Mr.. DiaZ related an incident OF his min
istry which shows the character of the peo-
pie that compose his church. The church
had no deacons, and he was anxious TO
select six or seven persons for this office.
The Cubans are very jealous
people, however, and he was at
loss how to make his selections without
| arousing the jealousy Of all the other mem
| bers. He announced that he would preach
the folio wing Sunday upon the duties of q
deacon, and when the time came there was
large congregation present. He laid great
| stress upon the work which deacon should
do, particularly the visiting of the
sick. IF man has smallpox you mus
go and attend to him." he told
must wait upon him" His idea was tx
brighten off all but the boldest spirits
Now" said he, in conclusion, all of yot
that want to be deacons, stand up" To hi
surprise the whole congregation of 500 Of
600 stood up. No selection could be mad
| there.
"You are all deacons," he said. "Go anC
work like deacons." This proved to be on,
of the best things he had ever done.
"They all think they have q special re
sponsibility upon them." he said.
"They all work like deacons. That is tn
secret Of our success. l am glad they ar
all deacons."
Mr.. Diaz leaves this morning for Florida
on his return to Cuba.