The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1907-08-23
ALETTER FROM
THE ISLE OF PINES

Rev. j. T. Redmon, the young Meth
odist preacher who received his pre-
paratory training at Howard College
Mt. Pleasant and was afterwards 10
Gated at Culleoka, and went from there
as missionary to Cuba, writes the
following to Rev. T. A. Kerley, Pre-
siding Elded for this district:
Il am sure you have room to think
my delay in writing about the work
long one, but | want to givce you
true account, and have waited until
felt could do so. Sometime I'll write
about the needs of the natives, but
now about my own or our work as IL
is now planned.
"The cold waves that have done Sc
much damage in Florida, have made
it needful to have another field for
citrus fruit growing Some American
settlers in Cuba at the close of the
Spanish war felt that the Isle of Pines
was the place needed. The Cubans
or Spaniards had considered 1t almost
a sterile land and had made it a penal
colony only. In this way the land
was held in large grants by Spaniards
and considered of little value.
The treaty made "all islands" OF
this region, which had formerly be-
longed to Spain, American territory,
except Cuba. So these American set
tiers felt when they were buying land
that they would be American citizens.
In this they have been disappointed
because of political conditions. for 1t
is to all purposes Cuban, under Cuban
rule; but the citizens are hoping for
relief at the hands of next Congress.
The land has proven to be not sterile,
but almost all arabic, with the best
climate.
Already the results show it to be
well adapted to the fruits, and also to
have such climate and water that it
is an ideal home for people wishing
to get away from the northern win
tiers. BY this you see why Americans
are here and what they are doing.
For about three years there was
nothing being done to find the souls
of The people. Rev. Mr. Frazer OF
Michigan, of the VI. E. church, came
here with others from that State for a
rest in the tropics. Seeing
the need he applied to the American
land owners, both resident and nom
resident, for money, with which to
build church and parsonage. =. These
were built, and on his return home
the property was turned over to us by
the payment of some bills then unpaid. I
It was almost year after this that |
landed on the island.
Il am preaching to five congregations
If from ten to forty persons. One
good mid-week prayer-meeting, attend
lnce about fifteen. Two good work
ng Sunday-schools from fifteen to
.wenty in each. The conditions are
such that am moving very cautiously.
THE people are from almost every
state in the Union, with representa-
ives from almost all the churches. /
I'm the only resident protestant min
ster. Rev W. W. Steel, OF Havana,
II the Episcopal church, comes to the
sland once each month. The Bap-
lists have had Cuban pastor among
he Cubans for a short time. The
catholics have services at two places.
10 we are the only people that reach
II places.
Difficulties of course, will be en-
ountered where the people have gath
red from so many points, but you
aust not think IL is because of bad
lass of people; 1t is just the peculiar !
onditions. Some of the truest chris !
AN people / have ever known are
ere and are standing by the colors
I the Prince of Peace. Many are !
different to the work, but on the I
hole, all seem to be our friends and
nxious for the cause to prosper. 1
II have mad emo effort to organize a c