Seventh-day Adventists in Barbados: Over a Century of Adventism, 1884-1991

170 Pages·2016·5.27 MB·English

Seventh-day Adventists in Barbados
OVERA
CENTURY
M
ADVENTISM
1884 1991
-
ASTR Research Center Ubrary
General Conference of Seventh-day Attortisi»
Over a Century of Adventism
1884-1991
Genere! Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists
—
•
OVERA
CENTURY
OF
ADVENTISM
1884-1991
Glen O. Phillips
East Caribbean Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists
East Caribbean Conference of S.D.A.
P.O. Box 223
Bridgetown
Barbados, West Indies.
Copyright © 1991 by Glen O. Phillips
First published 1991
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except by
reviewers for the public press, without the prior written permission of
the copyright owner.
ISBN 976 8083 37 9
East Caribbean Conference of S.D.A.
Printed by Caribbean Graphics & Letchworth Ltd.. Barbados
IV
Contents
Page
List of Appendices vi
Foreword vii
Acknowledgement ix
Introduction 1
Chapter I 4-10
The Corning of Seventh-Day Adventism 1884-1891
Chapter II 11-20
The Formation of the Adventist Church 1891-1900
— The Founding of the First Church, 1891
— The Arrival of the First Permanent Adventist Minister, 1896
— The Establishment of Adventist Medical Work, 1898
— The plans for the Building of a Church, 1899
Chapter III 21-38
The Early Adventist Community, 1900-1924
— A letter from Mrs. E.G. White to the Barbadian Church
— Adventists’ Response to the Epidemic of 1902
— Barbados Selected as Adventist Headquarters in 1904
— Overcoming Problems and Prosperity, 1910-1923
Chapter IV 39-47
Entering the North, 1924-1930
Chapter V 48-59
The Years of Consolidation, 1930-1945
— 1931 Evangelistic Series at Bank Hall
— Leeward Island Mission Office comes to Barbados, 1935
— The Promotion of Youth and Literature Programs, 1936
— The Death of Dr. Charles Cave, 1939
— Coping with the Hardships of World War II
Chapter VI 60-78
The Adventists During Decolonization 1945-1966
— Strategies and Breakthroughs of the Early Fifties
— Adventist Education and the Founding of the Secondary
School
— Hurricane Janet and Church Responsiveness of Mid-1950's
— Facing the Challenges of the Early 1960’s
Chapter VII 79-103
The Adventist Church Since Independence, 1966-1991
— Action for Penetration, 1966-1970
— Working the Community, 1970-1976
— Intensive Community Outreach, 1976-1982
— Preserving the Church's Good Will, 1982-1985
— Building for Tomorrow, 1985-1991
v
Conclusion 104-109
Pictorial Review 111-122
Tables 123-147
Bibliography 148-150
Messages 151-156
Church Locations 157
List of Appendices
Page
Table I
Chronology of the Formation of S.D.A.
Churches in Barbados, 1891-1991 123-124
Table II
Chronology of Barbados’ Adventist Membership
Growth, 1891-1991 125-126
Table III
The Chronological List of the Pastors of the
King Street Church, 1891-1991 127-128
Table IV
The Membership Distribution of S.D.A. Churches
in Barbados during 1933 129
Table V
The Comparative Statistical Report of 1946
and 1956 for the Caribbean Union of S.D.A. 130
Table VI
The Chronological List of the Leaders of S.D.A.
Churches in Barbados, 1890-1991 131
Table VII
The 1991 Barbados Church Districts and their Pastors 132-133
Table VIII
Barbados S.D.A. Church Membership and Leadership
Distribution in 1991 134
Table IX
The Growth of East Caribbean Conference of S.D.A.
Church and Membership 1966-1991 135
Table-X
A Chronology of Seventh-day Adventism in
Barbados, 1884-1991 136-137
vi
Foreword
One hundred years ago the seed of Seventh-day Adventism was
planted in Barbados. During that time since its establishment, this
church has been impacted upon by social, economic, political,
religious and cultural ideologies which have been very much a
part of the colonial and post-colonial environment in Barbados.
It too has been instrumental in helping to shape and mould society
by its unobtrusive yet dynamic influences.
Dr. Glenn Phillips, author of this volume, has skillfully woven
into this book many colourful threads which assist the discriminat­
ing reader in seeing life as it developed in an emerging nation,
while concentrating on the growth and development of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church in Barbados.
Many Seventh-day Adventists have carried in their memories
interesting fragments of information about people and events
which now constitute the history of a dynamic and progressive
church organization. However, Dr. Phillips, for the first time, has
been able to research, document and put in an interesting and
readable form, this information for the benefit and use of those
interested in secular and church history.
Sincerest appreciation is extended to him for his efforts in pro­
viding this book on the occasion when the 100th Anniversary of
Adventism in Barbados is being celebrated. I must also express
appreciation to Mr. Carl Johnson of Caribbean Graphics who so
readily responded to our request and facilitated the printing of
this book.
We thank God for inspiring all contributors, including lay per­
sons such as Dr. Charles Cave of Barbados, the Tract Society of
Battle Creek and New York and a host of missionary minded clergy
such as Elam Van Deusen and Dexter A. Ball. We pay tribute to
the members of the Planning Committee set up by the Conference
Executive Committee and chaired by Dr. Norma Niles. Each par­
ticipant played an important role by sharing ideas and thoughts
towards the 100th Anniversary celebrations.
As you read this book, may you be inspired to re-dedicate your
talents and resources to keep the torch of truth burning where
you are. Never underestimate the value of a mustard seed sown
in the right soil.
Everette W. Howell
President, East Caribbean Conference of S.D.A.
vn