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EB 18 1955

JAMAICA
CHRISTIAN
VOLUME 5

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 1955

NUMBER

York Street Building

Some Christians in Grand Cayman

YORK STREET CHURCH DEDICATES BUILDING

On Sunday, December 2Gth, the York
Sti'eet Church of Christ dedicated its en

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST COMES TO CAYMAN

Several weeks ago, Grayson Ensign conducted an evangelistic campaign in

larged and completely remodeled building

which marks a milestone in its history.

Donald Fream was the special speaker

for the afternoon dedication program,

and F. Glasspole, member of Jamaica's

House of Representatives, presided as
chai rman.

The newly styled building features more seating capacity, new tiled plat
form, raised baptistry with plate glass front, colored glass windows, florescent lighting, new front on the building, lat tice-work ceiling, and modern toilet facil
ities.

Grand Cayman, a small island depend ency of Jamaica, twenty-two by seven miles, with a population of 5,000. Mr. and Mrs. Tom Adam, recently converted members of the congregation at Half-Way-Tree, were providentially led to Cayman. This island had never had a congi'egation after the New Testa ment pattern, but the Adams were de
termined to be -Christians only and to establish New Testament Christianity
there.

TOWN HALL RENTED

The remodeling cost $1,260.00, and the local congregation assumed over twothirds of this cost. This is especially com
mendable when one realizes that the av

The town hall was rented for $2.15 a

night, hand bills were distributed, the

loud speaker was set up, and the proc lamation of the whole council of God

erage wage of the members is not over S4.00 per week. Woodrow Phillips, Don ald Fream, and Grayson Ensign have all assisted financially with the building. Bro. Phillips sawed all of the lumber for
the ceiling.
The York Street Church was first be

began. The first night fourteen were in the building and four-teen outside in spite
of the failure of the electricity. The at

tendance increased from night to night especially after Mi-s. Innis MacTaggert,
a back-slidden Christian
came forward to

and

socialite,

gun as a National Baptist Church in

herself to the Lord. She and her husband had

re-consecrate

1932, when open air meetings were held on the spot, soon after, a small frame building was constructed in which to worship. Through the teaching of C. V. Hall, they were led to accept the pattern
of the New Testament Church of Christ

been living for the devil, but now they

determined to give up their smoking, dancing, and cocktail parties. Denominations Came To Listen

in 1937. Under the capable leadership of

their minister, A.R.A. Hepburn, they have grown through the years until their present membership has reached 240.

By Saturday night two young ladies had been baptized, and on the Lord's Day morning, Innis MacTaggert came into
Christian fellowship from the Baptist de(Continued on page 2)

JAN.-FEB., 1955

The JAMAICA CHRISTIAN EDITORPansy Reed Click, Moore Haven, Florida

JAMAICA CHRISTIAN MISSION

MISSIONARIES:

AMERICAN ADDRESSESMr. and Mrs. Donald Fream: (Trustee) Route 2, Moore Haven, Florida. Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Phillips, 915 South 8th St., San Jose, Calif.
Mr. and Mrs. James Herget,

^S03 N. Griffing Blvd., Asheville, N. C.

Mr. and Mrs. Grayson Ensign
P. O. Box 87

Cincinnati 11, Ohio.

FOREIGN ADDRESSES FOR ALL FAMILIES-

Half-Way-Tree, P. O., Jamaica, B. W. 1.

Tom and Olga Adam

The Church of Christ...

(Continued from puge 1)

Active Church Workers

While driving about searching for children to attend a Bible Class, Carol Herget found two boys who were inter estedBill and Mike Adam. These boys attended class, and their mother, also in terested, visited the first day. A call in
the home resulted in the attendance of

working overtime to try to keep their

members from attending the meeting. Nevertheless, Seventh-day Adventists,

nomination.

The

denominations began

Presbyterians, and Church of God folk

came to listen. One night there were more than one hundred persons in the hall with over fifty outside. The loud

the whole family at the Lord's Day

it to a number of homes.

speaker carried the message outside while printed tracts and sermons carried
Each

moiTiing service. It was not long until

they became regular in attendance at all of the services of the church, and a

first principles was preached. Conseiwatively estimated, over four hundred de ferent people were reached with the unique message of the Church. Two young men were baptized on the third Tuesday as a result of the meeting. Then, on the same day that Brother En sign flew back to Jamaica, a sixty-yearthey must obey Christ in Christian bap tism, and you are urged to pray that they will make the decision soon. Broth ers Adam and MacTaggert are prepared to baptize any who make the decision.
SEED BEING SOWN
This small and new congregation con

uuestions -wore- answered,_a_b.lackboard lesson was presented, and a sermon on

^'Sbt

month .later opened their, home to the week-day children's class.

MAKES GOOD CONFESSION

During the months that followed, the boy's father, Mr. Tom Adam, encouraged others of his family to attend, including
his own mother and his wife's sister. Tom Adam read his Bible and became

old woman confessed Christ in immer sion in the Caribbean Sea. At least, ten adults had indicated their conviction that

convinced that the way he was follow ing was not scriptural or Christian. While ill in the hospital for several weeks, he was guided and helped to know the way of the Lord. Mr. Adam came forward and made the good confession on Bible Study night, the very first time
he was able to be out after his illness.

The following day, Jim Herget baptized

him into Christ. Mrs. Adam stood bar side him and re-dedicated her life to

tinues with worship services in the town

hall and a week night Bible study ^roup. Both families are aggressive, faithful,
felt throughout the island. The seed is
and determined. Their witness is being

Christ, having years before.

A

been

baptized several

LIVING TESTIMONY

Immediately following

his

baptism,

being sown, and God will give the in

Tom Adam became an active worker in

crease. Brother Phillips is now preparing to evangelize in the island in February. Join in prayer to God that this young congregation in -Cayman will grow in
the strength of the Lord.

the church and had the good fortune of

seeing his own mother won to Christ. He

worked faithfully in the church and hecame a living testimony for Christ be
fore his friends. When Mr. Adam was transferred

with his family to the Cayman Islands,

A de quiet cow de butcher kill. (The willing horse is driven to death) If you no done cross riber, no trow way your stick. (Don't hullo till you're out of the wood)

he immediately began holding worship

sex'vices in his home. (See article "Church of Christ Comes to Cayman".) The fear of the Lor<l prolongeth days
The Bible.

JAN.-FEB., 1955

Page Three

Twenty-One People Shot

Shortly after the New Year had been ushered in full of promise, gay crowds

were going about their ordinary business little dreaming of the drama that was taking place behind high walls. Twentyone unfortunate people had had sentence passed on them, and grimly lined up to face the firing squad. Surprisingly enough, all twenty-one survived the pain
ful ordeal and lived to tell about it. ,

A SLIGHT LIST

Have you guessed? The "victims" were the missionaries, both big and lit tle, and the "firing squad"neatly uni formed nurses with long hypodermic needles giving them all injections to prevent them from taking diphtheria. A few were sick for a day or so, while
others seemed none the worse for the

A Baker's Dozen of Little Missionaries

experience except for a slight list to one

Nitn Lou Is Baptized

side, as they hovered protectingly over the afflicted part to keep it fi-om being accidently bumped.
HEROIC BATTLE
The cause for all the excitement was

On the Sunday after Christmas, which

little four-yeax'-old Peter Herget, who conti-acted diphtheria and waged a hei'oic battle in the hospital for several days, before he was borne home triumphantly by his thankful parents. Everyone prayed
for Peter's recovery, and that no one

is always called "Christmas Sunday" in Jamaica, Vanita Lou Fream walked bravely forward after her father finished preaching the morning message and in a calm, clear voice confessed her faith
in the Loi'd and her willingness to obey Him. That same afternoon just after the
dedication services at the York Street

Chui-ch of Christ, Nita was tenderly bap

tized by her own father before the as

sembled witnesses.

else might contract the dreaded disease.

ARGUED HER CASE

FOUR UTTLF BOYS

When there is room in the heart for

For many months, 'Nita had been ex

pressing a gi'owing concern to complete

her obedience to the Lord in Christian

another little boy, there can always be

found a little room in the house. And that is just how it happened that little
Kenneth Brown came to live in the

baptism. Besides paying particular at

tention to the sermons, she had taken it

upon herself to memorize everything she

thought she ought to learn, until she

boys' home that James and Carol Herget have begun.

LONELY LITTLE KENNETH

could argue her case from the scriptures.

HER FIRST BIBLE
She received her first Bible for a

All three boys in their home had been talking about finding another little boy, and they had been promised one as soon
as the Lord would send him. Kenneth was

Chi'istmas gift, and uses it daily.

She

can read the more familiar passages where her memory helps her over the

harder parts. Thus, one more soul is

launched on its voyage for the Lord.

a sick, lonely little boy who was very much in need of care and love. So, it was a lovely surprise one morning when the little boy of two-and-one-half years, join

ed the nappy circle. Now there are four little boys, singing and praying, work ing and playing; and growing nicely in
to I'eal sunbeams for the Lord Jesus.

Little Peter's Prayer

"Now I lay me down to feep, pay ya Lord, me soul a keep. If I ya die afore I

If you want half a bread, beg s'mody buy it, but if you want whole a wan, buy it yourself.

(If you want a thing well done, do it

yourself)

wake, I pay ya Lord, me soul a take. God bess mommy an' daddy, an' Johnny. Help me to be a good boy. Help me not to shut up my kitty in a dretter drawer anymore all day. Help me not to baak up my toys and everyfing all a time, in
Je'us name, Amen.

Pa* Four

JAN.-FEB., 1955

Loading Bananas

Linstead
Hitherto, "Linstead" has always been known as the name of a sleepy little vil lage tucked away in the Jamaican hills; hut henceforth, the name will have a great deal more meaning for several de lighted cliildren, for it is also the name of a shaggy, sad-eyed, lovable donkey with great long ears and an equally long
face.

BANANAS BY THE MILLION

The banana, which you may like to eat sliced on youi- breakfast cereal, or cut up in jello salad, is one of the most important crops in Jamaica. Last year,
almost twelve million stems of bananas

were shipped to the United Kingdom.

Since there are seven to nine "hands" of

as shipped out was well over one billion. The picluro above ^iow,s_big stems of
bananas being loaded aboard a sliip'at the docks of Kingston, the main seaport.

bananas on a stem, and 12 to 14 bananas to a "hand", the number of single banan

BERIBBONED DONKEY

On loading day, bananas come from all over, by trucks, by donkey carts, or cai-ried on top of people's heads.
WRAPPED IN "TRASH"

It was on Christmas morning that the Hergets' "houseful of boys" found the little donkey tied to a tree in the front yard, \vith u large red iTbboh around her neck. It took several minutes to convince the boys that the donkey was really theirs, for they had often seen stray ones walking about.
WEARY BUT PATIENT

Each stem of banana must pass a "checker" who counts the bananas and decides whether the fruit is good enough

In a little while they got acquainted

and became so excited over her that

to ship. Only the best fruit is sent abroad. The fruit is quite green when picked, and wrapped in dried banana leaves, called "trash", to protect the fruit from being bruised. There is always plenty of "trash" to wrap around the bananas, because each banana tree will only bear one stem of fruit, then it must
be cut down, so that another tree can spring from the roots. Some of Jamaica's folk songs, which

nothing else could claim their attention. All of the boys, and the Phillips' chil dren from next door, took turns riding
her. The Fream child3:en soon arrived on

the scene and joined in the fun. Patient ly, the faithful old donkey walked up and down, up and down, for the whole day (and many days since) suirounded by a group of devoted admirers. When night came, poor old Linstead slept the sleep of a weary donkey, while her mas ters dreamed happily of their beloved
pet.

they love to sing when they work, tell

about the banana shipping. "De checker
him ah check wid caution" refers to the man who knows at sight a "six ban',
seven han' bunch banana" and discards

Another Bible Class

During the latter part of December, a new Bible class was begun on White Hall avenue, not far from the Bible Seminary. Mrs. Ensign is teaching the children, about 35 of them, whose ages range
from 3 to 13.

those not of the right weight or grade for shipping.

WEARY WORKERS TOIL ALL NIGHT

Then, the invitation "Mattie, mek cotta fe go tek banana" is to the many women
called "Carriers" who bear on their

heads the bunches of fruit to "Mr. Tally man," as the song continues, "Come Mr. Tallyman, come tally me banana." The

song ends "Day, oh! Day oh! Day dah

light an'me waun go home" as the weary workers who have toiled all night, see

They are all eager to hear the stories about the life of Jesus, and learn to sing many gospel choruses. Evei-yone keeps an eye out for the weather, because cla.ss meets out in the yard. This is fine in pleasant weather, but when the rain comes down, they all have to scatter for
cover.

day dawn and want to go home.

JAN.-FEB., 1955

Page Fire

A Ras Tafari Visit

Tall and angular, wearing a white
dress and broad b)-immed
and afterwards introduced

hat,

Sister
to

Thompson attended the morning church

service at the Half-Way-Tree Church,
herself

Woodrow Phillips, who had preached that morning.

EKED OUT EXISTENCE

Sister Thompson had been a member of the Polly Ground Church of Christ
some years before, but had moved to

Kingston in the hopes of bettering her lot financially. But, being without funds
or employment, she was forced to throw together a tiny shack in an undesirable part of the city, and there she had been
able to eke out a bare existence.

Faith's Pen Church

Dedication And Rally At

Faith's Pen Church Of Christ
The members of the Faith's Pen

RAS TAFARI SECT

In spile of her desperate situation, she

looked about her and saw that most of

her neighbors knew nothing of Christ

and His salvation. Some of them, in fact, were members of the notorious Ras Taf

ari sect, who worship emperor Haile Selassi as the Savior, and who are feared
in Jamaica because of their thievery and

violence, and their hatred of the white

man.

Church of Christ are very happy over the dedication of their completed build ing. Clifford Edwards, Jamaican evan gelist, who has been preaching frequent ly for the church and encouraging them in their work, planned a preaching rally
in connection with tlie dedication. RALLY HELD

Seeing the deep need all about her. Sister Thompson began to seek out those who were genuinely interested in being saved. Not being able to teach them ful ly, or to baptize them herself. Sister Thompson looked for someone who could, and soon found her way to the meeting place of the Half-Way-Tree church. There arrangements were made with Bro. Phillips for an early visit to her
home to talk to these who were wanting to obey the Lord. "SQUATTERS LANDS"

Theme of the rally was "The Church' of ChristGod's Agency For the Re demption Of the World." All of the mis

sionaries, with the exception of Bro. Phillips, who was ill at the time, took part on the program and delivered mes sages. Several of the Jamaica Bible Sem inary students wore present, and there were also delegations from churches in LIuidas Vale, Camperdown, and Ewarton. The Faith's Pen Church is small, and
each building improvement, such as floor ing, putting in windows, or building benches, was a major undertaking for the

The section of Kingston where Sister

Thompson lives is in the disreputable "Squatter's lands", once hopefully named,

"Rose Town." Most of the homes, scores of them, are no more than tiny one-room

members. Howevei", by persevering, they have at last completed everything, and

can take jiride in a neat, compact little building, adequate for their needs.

shacks just large enough to crawl into at night. There are no electric lights,
and few people can afford a lamp. It lies across a gully, and is reached by a dusty foot path. On the evening of the appointed meeting, Bro. Phillips and
Bro. Fream drove to the end of the

Twenty More at May Pen

The May Pen Church of Christ con tinues to grow. On the first Sunday in January, there wore 20 baptized, bringing the total membership to 390. The present building is much too small to hold all the
members at one time. Some 50 membeis live in a district some distance from the

road, and groped their way, with the aid of two men of the district, to Sister Thompson's yard. An attempt was made to sing a hymn to begin the meeting, but they began to feel an oppressiveness about the place and suddenly into the lit tle clearing strode three rough looking

bearded Ras Tafarians. They began to

preach their strange doctrine, and to threaten bodily harm to the two mission aries, declaring them to be the devil and ambassadors of the Pope.
THREATENED BODILY HARM

church building, and 40 more in another district close by the first. These two groups plan to go together to form a new
church.

A pearl is often hidden in an ugly

shellChinese.

Stones thrown by other Ras Tafarian

(Continued on page six)

While the word is yet unspoken, you are master of it; when once it is spoken, it is master of youArabic.

Page Six

JAN.-FEB., 1955

sermon, they would interrupt to ask ques tions and even argue among themselves over some point. At least, it showed they
were listening." TEN CONFESSIONS

In addition to the two that were bap

tized that day, who had previously con fessed Christ, there were ten others who made the good confession: two women, and eight men.

A Ras Tafari Visit....

(Continued from page 5) adherents began to rattle off the build ing in front of which the missionaries were silently standing waiting for the uproar to cease. The riot lasted almost

ing to the defense of the missionaries by forming a solid human wail in front of
Student Williams Baptizing
them.

an hour with eight Jamaican men com

STUDENT ESTABLISHES NEW WORK

Primarily, through the work of Leslie Williams, a student in the Jamaica Bible Seminary, a new work has been begun in the distant parish of St. Elizabeth ,:ind sevei'a) converts have been baptized.

if they ever returned_, Bro. Phillips und

indicated a desire for more teaching. Be

threatening violence to the missionaries

When the Ras Tafarians finally left,

Bro. Froam spoke quietly, but urgently, to the people concerning -Christ. Twelve

ing escorted to safety by some of the

men who advised that no fui'ther attempt be made to hold a service, the two mis

sionaries promised an early daylight re

turn to call.

IGNORANT OF ThTe GOSPEL

The district is ninety miles from King ston (a four-hour trip in Jamaica) and the people extremely poor and for the most part, unlearned. Donald Fream, who visited the place with student Williams,
said, "Never before have I been to a place so primitive and ignorant of the gospel. They had put together a make shift booth as a meeting place, but knew

FIRST-FRUITS After three calls to Rose Town, the first-fruits for Christ from this place

were baptized last week. Two adults obey

ed the Lord in Christian immersion and

placed their fellowship with the HalfWay-Tree Church of Christ. Bro. Phil lips has arranged to baptize at least one
more adult this week. Two couples living in immorality were married the first day
of the new year.

The Gospel has real power even in the

most difficult surroundings. such a desperate way. We pray

almost nothing about a worship service.

"Many of the men kept their hats on

inside. They knew none of the hymns (unusual in Jamaica) and during the
THE JAMAICA CHRISTIAN

that many more can be reached for

Christ among these who need Him in

Moore Haven, Fla.

SEC. 34.66 P. I. & R.

U.

S.

POSTAGE

PAID
Moore Haven,
PERMIT NO.

Fla.
7

Ilarrold S'cFarland
Box 969

Joliet, 111.

POSTMASTER: If undelivered for any reason, notify sender stating reason on form 3547, postage for
which is guaranteed.

JAMAICA
CHRISTIAN MISSION

mm.

THE JAMAICA CHRISTIAN MISSION

JAMAICA
AMERICAN

CHRISTIAN
MISSIONARIES:

MISSION

ADDRESSES-

Mr. and Mrs. Donaldf Fream: (Trustee) Route 2, Moore Haven, Florida.

the gold-hungry Spaniards. Large num bers of Negi'oes were imported as slaves from Africa, and for 150 years buccan eers held sway. Captain Bligh of the storied "Bounty" brought the first
bread-fruit to the island.

Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow Phillips,

915 South 8th St., San Jose, Calif. Mr. and Mrs. James Herget, P. O. Box 162, Elizabethton, Tenn.
FOREIGN ADDRESS FOR ALL FAMILIES-

from India and (5hina. Today the popu

lation is 1,500,000. Only two to
per cent are white, 78 per cent are Ne gro, and the balance Chinese, East In

In 1635, England fought the Spanish for the control of the island, and coloni zation began in earnest. The slaves were emancipated in 1838 and to re place them, cheap labor was impoi'ted

HaK>Way-Tree, P. O., Jamaica, B. W. I.

three

"Funds for the Jamaica work may be sent to any of the above addresses. Bank drafts, money orders or checks are all acceptable. Air mail pottage to Jamaica is 10c."

dian, and colored (mixed.) The basic language used in English, but a native patois (pat'-o-wah) is also
spoken, which is difficult to learn and understand. The English missionaries

Gem Of the Corabean

Picture

first taught the natives to speak the English language, using the Bible as a text book and thus nearly all of the na tives are quite familiar with the script
ures.

A beautiful palm-fringed island lying dreamily in a sea of turquoise, glitter ing like an iridescent jewel beneath an azure sky . . . Dark mountain peaks silhouetted against a flaming tropical sunset. . .

GOVERNMENT

Jamaica is a Crown colony with par

tial self-government under a constitu

Coll mountain streams cascading by silver falls into placid pools of jade . . .
Lush tropical gi'owth, exotic fruits of

tion granted by the King of England. There is universal adult suffrage. The money used is based on the Eng lish system of pounds, shilling.s, and
pence. At present rate of exchange a pound is worth $2.82 in Amm-ican Cur
rency.

every description, vast unexplored wilds,

subterranean caves and rivers and a cli mate of eternal summertime . . .

PRODUCTS

This is Jamaica as God made it& masterpiece of creation. The mark man

Sugar cane with its by-products of sugar and i-um, is the main product, followed by bananas, coconuts, cocoa,
all-spices and coffee.
RELIGIONS

has made upon it has not always been so beautiful; sin has left an ugly scar to mar the perfect beauty, and only Christ
can provide the healing hand.
HISTORY

Jamica is a mountaneous island, 144 miles by 49 at the widest point, and is

located in the Caribbean Sea about 90 miles south of Cuba. It was first discov

"While the Anglican Church (Chui'ch of England) is the officially recognized church, a religious freedom is permitted and most religious denominations have
churches in JaTuaicafrom Roman Catholicism to Jehovah's Witnesses.

Some relics of African religion remain

with the "Obeah man" and the "Balmyards". The plea of New Testament Christian

ered by Columbus on a May day in 1494. He later described the island to the

King of Spain by crumpling a piece of

original inhabitants of the island, Arawak Indians, were soon annihaliated by

paper and dropped it upon a table. The

ity has found a ready hearing among many who long to be free in Christ, and the lives of thousands of people have
been changed.

THE JAMAICA CHRISTIAN MISSION

in^irfrr n<r n

ffl [2 fti ua s fi,

,uj y 0 aiusa ui ii

PROPOSED NEW BIBLE SEMINARY

Jamaica Bible Seminary

Thi; natural response of Januvicans to the gospel invitation haa always meant a fast growing- work; thus, the present problem of the Mission is not a lack of growth in the churches, but a concern over being able to take care of that growth. Unless the work is stabilized through sound doctrinal teaching and preaching by those who have been fund amentally instructed, new converts are likely to become discouraged and go off to some other gi"0-up that offers more leadership, or cirlft back into their old way of living. The goal of independent,

of property at a reasonable price and on

excellent terms. FIRST UNIT IN USE

A building of the ranch style so prac tical in tropical climates was de.stgned and approved by the building authori ties. Con.stiuction was begun on the
first unit in the fall of 1952 and classes

were first held in this unit in January of

1953.

self-supporting Chui'ches of Christ in

Jamaica can be reached only through a weD-trained native leadership.
All of those connected \vith the work

Th(! building is of cement block con struction \vitl: reinforced steel, termitoprcof floors and asbestos sheet roof. The completed structure will be com posed of five units, each unit to be con structed to meet the growing needs. At the end of this building program, the Mission will have a piece of property worth many times its cost, and v/hat is move iniportant, it \vill have facilities
to take care of a Your sufficient numbex* f>f in Jamaica unite
students to meet the needs of Jauuiica.

feel that this challenge can best be met through the Jam.aica Bible Seminary.
ENROLLMENT DOUBLED

nijssionaries

In 1951 the school with four students

was moved from Ewarton into Kings

ton in order to be nearer to the center

oC population and to enable the students to leaim a trade where they could be partly self supporting. The enrollment of the school immediately doubled and by 195.S there were twelve students onroiled with five to graduate in the fall of the same- year.
BUILDING SITE PURCHASED

in the request that all friends of this woric pray Vvdth them that the time will soon come when Jamaica will be a peo ple won to the Lord and trained in the New Testament pattern by native evan gelists and ministers, and will have many churolies throughout the land shepherded and nurtured by elders quali
fied and trained to the task.
ed.

To this end

the Jamaica Bible Seminary is dedicat

The Seminary can not adequately meet

the needs in Jamaica until it has around

seventy-five students and is graduating approximately fifteen each year. Such an expansion is not possible, however, without ade(]uate building facilities. For tbi.-3 reason, the Jamaica Christian Mis sion in 19.52 purchased a seven-acre plot of ground located within the Kingston area, on which to build a modern seminavy for training a larger number of
native ministers.

The purcliase of the building site was the result of many months of ciiligent search and comparison of pi-ices by the mi.ssionarles, and after consultation with reputable real estate dealers, who were thoroughly familiar with local con ditions. They were extremely fortunate in locating a beautifully situated piece

The student body of the Jamaica Bible Seminary with Professors <front row) Donald Fream, James Herget, A.R.A. Hepburn. Woodrow Phillips was ill

when the picture was taken.

THE JAMAICA CHRISTIAN MISSION

ESTABLISHING CHURCHES IN JAMAICA

SPIRITUAL HANDICAPS

There are three major hindranoos to building congregations in Jamaica. (1) Immorality. (2) False Teaching, and (3) Lack of Trained Leadership. Immorality is so rampant that 70 per cent of the children are illegitamate. Concubinage is the accepted practice in Jamaica. One person wrote to the local newspaper: "Illegitimacy appears to car ry no stigma in Jamaica; bastardy ap pears to be a term of endearment; and you do not need even to smile, as you must in America, if you call someone a
bastard." CULTS THRIVE

DONALD AND

MAXINE

FREAM

Meet Your Missionaries

Donald Fream was appointed as trus
tee of the Jamaican Christian Mission

False teachings thrive in Jamaica. Cults of every description from America have found a ready following, and most have substantial financial backing from their cult headquarters in the States. Jamaicans who are willing to throw off tlie immorality that cloaks most of the island must next wade through the laby rinth of false cult teachings and denorninutionalism to find the truth of the

Gospel.

by the
1950.

American
The Freams

Committee in
toured the

July
States

Then, having succeeded in going this

far and finding the truth, there yet re mains the fact that sheep without a shephei'd \vill not long remain sheep. To overcome the first two handicaps is not enough. Preachers and church leaders must be trained, so that the flock can be fed, encouraged, and strengthened.
This is the reason the Jamaica Christian

for funds during- the fall of that year and arrived in Jamaica , in January 1951. Mr. Fream has charge of the
Jamaica Bible Seminary, and serves as evangelist in the Chiu-ches of Christ throug-hout the island. Donald Fream, son of Mrs. Florence Frcain and th(! late Leslie V. Fream, was born in Holdcnville, Okla., Nc,-ember 24, 1917. He graduated from high school in Hokienville, and attended Okla homa Baptist Lniversity and Mesa Jmiior College. During the war he rose to

Mission lias placed so much emphasis on

the Bible Seminary.

In spite of these handicaps, the Word of God has cut groat swaths through the island. There are forty-five chui-ches of Christ, and over thirty preaching points. There is no weapon the devil

rank of Captain in the Air Corps and was Super intendent of the Sighting School at the air field near Fort Myers,
Florida.

can muster that will long withstand the

Sword of the Lord.
NEW BUILDING POLICY

After the war, Mr. Freiun entered the

The abject poverty of the people makes

Cincinnati Bible Seminary and received

his A. B. in 1948 He received his M.A.

the building of even a crude shelter from the rain and sun a major project, often
far beyond the financial means of a con

from the University of Denver the fol lowing year, tlien letur-ned to the Semi

gregation numbering up to a hundred.

nary for fui'tbei- gr-aduate study. He was ordained to the mirristry by the Co
lumbia Avenue Church of Christ in Cin cinnati, anri held ministries in White's

Since the average congregation is about

forty members, they the greatly depend

ent upon help from America for build

Run and M'orlhville, Kentucky, and in

Denver, Colorado. He also worked with a mission church in Columbus, Indiana. Maxine Click Fream, daughter of Mr.

ing. The Jamaica Christian Mission, however, has been reluctant to .spend money on inadequate or "mud nogged" buildings. Since 1951 the policy has
been to use either concrete blocks or cement. A permanent concrete block church building can be constructed for $1,590.

and Mrs. J. S. Click of Moore Haven, Fla., was born in Fort Myers, Florida, December 22, 1925, and graduated from
high school there. She met her husband

while he was stationed in Fort ?.Iyers during the war. They were married at the Cincinnati Bible Seminary in 1946 and graduated together in 1948. Mrs. Fream also holds an A.B. degree. She
was the originator and ai-tist of the

"Macky and Don" series of pictorial letters which appeared for several years
in "Girlhood Days." The Freums have
James Shawn.

three

children

Vanita Lou, Leslie Vee,

and

son,

THE JAMAICA. CHRISTIAN MISSION

HISTORY OF THE
Thi} work of the Churches of Christ in Jamaica was begun in 1935 by an

Englishman, the late Lieutenant C. Vin

cent Hall. Mr. Hall, a Congi-egutionaiist who had read himself out of denominationalism, started several churches in the island, which were known as "Gospel
Hall Churches of Christ." The majority of these churches lemain to the present day.

BIBLE SEMINARY ESTABLISHED

The work expanded rapidly and soon

le^ei-ship would be necessai-y to carry

Mr. Hall realized that a trained native

it on succe.ssfully. To this end, in 193S Luke D. Elliott made a ti-ip to Jamaica

at the invitation of Mr. Hall and in 1939

a Bible Seminary was established at Mocho, but closed after a few moittbs.
WOODROW AND MARJORIE PHILLIPS

The war intei-vened and in 1910 Mr. Elliott went back to the states. When he i-eturned to Jamaica in December

Meet Your Missionaries

Wooclrow Phillips was bom in Eug:ene,

1944, the Mission was moved to Ewarton.

A number of churches were established in that area and the Jamaica Bible Sem

inary was reopened. graduated in 1949.

Two students were

Oi-egon to Clifton and Amy Carson Phill ips, who in.'jiisterecl for many years in establishing: and strengthening Church
es of Christ in the Pacific Noithwest.

FORMER MISSIONARIES

During these years a numbei' of mis

sionaries served on the field, inciuding Mr. and Mrs. Richard Elliott, Mr. and

Mr. Phillips began preaching in 1940, and entered San Jose Bible College in 1941. He was graduated from San Jose Bible College in 1946 with a B. Th. de gree. He also attended Modesto Jr. College. During his student years he ministered to congregations in Suni-ol, and Dunsmuir, Cal. and held several evangelistic meetings. From Nov. 1945 until coming to Jamaica, Mr. Phillips
was niinister of the Eastside Church of

Mrs. Donald Hurley, Mr. and Mrs. Lonnio Dever, and Mr. and Mrs. James Herget. There have also been several who have visited the field in Jamaica to Tji*each in the churches and to aid in the fuidhev-

anco of the gospelRoy B. Shaw, A. Word, Mr. and Mrs. Lowell Applebury, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Stram, J. H. Dam-

pier, and recently V. G. Gilbert. Mr. and

Mrs. Stram and Mr. and Mrs. Applebury wer.e associated with the Jamaica Christ
ian Mission.

Christ in Turlock, Cal. Mavjorie Reynolds Phillips was bom in Wausaukee, Wis. to Lt. and Mrs. T. N. Reynolds, U.S.N. With her parents she lived for four years in the Phillippine Islands and visited China, Japan, and Hawaii during her father's tour of duty. While a member of First Christ ian Church of Long Beach, Cal. she was challenged to full time Christian service. Mrs. Phillips attended Long Beach Jr. College and San Jose Bible College. She
held n teacher's credentials in Stanislaus

Mr. Elliott resigned from the work in

June 1950 due to ill health, having

served a total of five years on the field, and 'The American Committee appointed
Donald Frean't to replace him as trustee
of the Mission. PRESENT MISSIONARIES

County in Cal. and taught there as a sul^stitute teacher. Marjorie Reynolds

and Woodrow Phillips were married in 1943 in San Jose, Cal.

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Fream, Mr. and Mr-1. Woodrow Phillips, and Mr. and Mrs. James Herget ai-e the present mis sionaries on the field, and all are co

operating in the teaching and preaching program in training native ministers,

and in establishing New Testament
churches.

Woodrow and Marjorie Phillips re signed fi-om their ministry in Turlock to go to Jamaica, arriving in April of 195-1. Since that time they have taught in the Jamaica Bible Seminai-y, conduct ed a correspondence school for the churches, and held special classes and services throughout Jamaica. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have four childrenPatty, Woody, Steve, and Carol.

MEMBERSHIP

3000

The Seininai'y is now located in the

corporate area of Kingston where a permanent building is being erected. At the present time there ai*e 45 es
tablished Churches of Christ in Jamaica

and over 30 preaching points. The pres ent total membership is approximately
3000.

TEACHING IN THE
"Go ye therefore and teach all nations
. . ." Matt. 28:19. This gi'eat coinmis-

-sion given by our Lord commands that

nations should be taught.

In carrying

out this commission in Jamaica, the mis sionaries have selected a number of
methods.

During the three quarterly vacation

months from the Bible Seminary, the missionaries hold all-day rallies in strat

egic

churches

throughout

the island.

The.sf rallies include doctrinal classes for

JAMES AND

CAROL HERGET

Meet Your Missionaries

111 March of 1952 James and Carol

meti and women, followed by a Go.spel sermon at night. In many of tho churches weekly study cla.sses are held over a period of months expounding tho doctrine of the Church of Christ. Correspondence courses in "Introduction to Bible Study" and "The Church Revealed in the Scriptures" are offered, and many chui'ches and leaders
have used them.

Tho

Ioc.al

"Jamaica

Christian"

is

Herget returned for their second term of niissionarj^- services in the island of Jamaica. It was with heartfelt joy that they began to work again with the Ja maican petiple. Three 'Aeeks after entering ALlanta Chi'istian College in the fall of ll)-!!,

t.hey became interested in the work in

Jamaica. During their four years in College they looked fonvard to tlie Ja maican mission field, and after receiving their A. B. degree in 1948, they began to raise support for their proposed work. In February of 1949 they left America
for their first term in Jamaica. It was

published monthly. This is a ten to twelve page mimeographed paper with doctrinal and spiritual messages for the people, and reports of baptisms and growth. It has been said that the writ ten word is more poweiTul than the spoken word, and so the missionaries take every opportunity possitde to spi-ead the written word. Several thous and tracts have been mimeographed and
distributed. liiterature from America

i.s giA-en out foi use in the 70 odd Sun day Bible .schools.
EMPHASIS ON YOUTH

a fruitful year as they realized their hojies in doing mission work, but con ditions over wliich they had no control
forced them to return home.

Golden opportunities ai*e granted to reach the youth of Jamaica. In June of 1952 a movement was begun with the

older young- people bearing the slogan,

"Living for Jesus." Program plans in clude a message by one of the young people, a short prayer meeting, and a Bible lesson by the missionary or spon sor of the gioup. "Every member a
consecrated Christian" Avas chosen for

The following two years were spent

in East Tennessee. James pi-eached for country churches during the first year and then divided the second year betwe-m the country work and the W. Main

St. Church (colored) in Johnson City. Carol Avorked during their two yeav.s at
home as secretary and youth worker for the First Christian Church, Johnson

City (J. H. Damipier, minister) and in

holding Bible school for
chihiren.

the

coiorcd

After the Lord opened the door for them to re-enter Jamaica in January of 19.5:2, they resigned their work in Tenne.ssee and came again to their beloved mis.sion field. Since that time they have taught in the Jamaica Bible Seminary, conducted classes and services thi-oughout Jamaica and have begun a youth work among the churches bearing the slogan, "Living for Jesus." Carol edits a monthh' publication for youththe
Jamaican Junior''

the goal. There are now eleven "Livingfor Jesus" groups in the churches. Special classes for young children have been held by the missionaries in six churches. One Kingston cla.ss com pleted its first full year Avith an average attendance of 50. The most up-to-date
methods of visual education are used

to AA'in young hearts for Christ.

N. Y. Both attended the Fosdick-Masten

James Herget was bom on September 20, 2919 in Buffalo, N. Y. Carol Herget was born on Dec. 25, 1919, in Buffalo,

Park High School. A few years later they began attending the Pilgrim Criristian Tabernnclt (E. H. Wray, minister) w]>ero thc-y dedicated their liA^es to Christian service. They attended Bible College in Buffalo for several months and then on May 1, 1943 were married. A wartime goveiTximent position prevent ed James from enrolling in full time college work until 1944.

THK JAMAICA CHRISTIAN

MISSION

LIFE ON A SOUTH
SEA ISLAND
ill recent years, Jamaica has become increasingly popular as a tourist resort, and along the northern beaches, modern exclusive hotels have sprung up that
cater to the rich and famous i'rom all

over the world.

However, by fur the

majority of Jamaica's people still live in the same primitive conditions much as
they did a centuiy ago.
ONE-ROOM HOUSES The census of Jamaica shows that

half of the dwellings in the entire island in 1943 consisted of one room only, and

the majority of those one-room dwellings

were less than ten feet by ten. Sometiine.s one will find a dozen people living in tliis one room with no personal pri vacy whatsoever. Furnishings getierally consist of a bed, two or three chairs,
a table on v/hich the few dishes are neat

ONE TYPE OF NATIVE HUT THE CITY

Kingston, the capital, with its crowd

ed downtown streets, its smelly markets,

ly stacked; perhaps a clothes closet, or just a cord strung across one corner on which to hang the clothes. There is no
kitchen; the cooking is done in a shed apart fi-om the house. Jobs are few and money is scarce. The head of a family may make S3 one week, $6 another week, or what is just as likelynothing at all. Therefore, they leam to "make do" with what is
available.

open meat stalls, and never-ending din of venders crying their wares, is the only large city in the island. It has a population of about 250,000.
Much theft makes IGngston protect ion-minded. The downtown stores have

huge iron shutters that pull down over

both doors and windows and clang- shut

promptly at 4 p. m. to keep out intrud

ers. Most homes in the residential

Herein lies the advantage of living in a tropical country. Houses are not needed for warmth, but only as a shelter from, sun and rain and a place in which to sleep. Most of the living can be done outside. A typical native hut is made of wattled bamboo walls, plastered inside and sometimes outside, with a mixture of lime and mall, and with a roof of palm brunches.
FOOD

distiict have iron burglar bars over tlie A'indows. The police are not permitted

to carry guns, which, to an Amoric.an appears to be a definite disa<lvantage in the keeping of law and order. Americans find the cost of living
about the same as it is in the states.

While

labor and

native foodstuffs

are

cheap, manufactured and imported items are expensive. A maid can be hired for .$2.50 to 3. per week; sirloin steak is about 45c a pound; limes 6c a dozen; avocado pears 5c apiece. On the other
hand, a can of com or peas costs 50c, a box of dctej-gent is 50c; and Irish pota toes run up to 10c a pound. Ready-iowear dresses are often double or triple rhe American price {The missionaries make their own). Education is not free either. School fees are $54 a year for
each child.

food^ does, and Jamaica is rich in fruitbearing trees such as mango, bread

While money does not grow on trees,

fruit, ackee, avacado, banana, coconut, nasebeiTy, sweet-sop, sour-sop, custard apple, star apple, guava, and all varie ties of citrus. As they bear at different times of the year, some of them are al ways in season, so while malnutrition is common, due to improper diet, even the noorest can manage to keep from staiving.

Aside fi-om these things, life in Ja maica can be a good one for either the poor 01- the ricli, whenever the light of Christ is shining in that life.

isS-TMJi

THE JAMAICA CHRISTIAN MISSION

MISSION NEEDS
USED CLOTHING: There is a need for

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAILING LET

TERS AND PACKAGES TO

JAMAICA

good nsed clothing, since the ma jority of the people in Jamaica are very poor. Any worn clothing, such
as; cotton, light wool, silk or linen v/hich is in good condition, will be gratefully received. Men's suits are

LETTERS: Any letters whicli are jnailed tc Jamaica should be sent by

air mail. Air mail rate is 10c for

each Vz ounce.

Boat mail is oc, and

takes about three weeks to reach us.

particularly helpful to the native

Shoes in wide sizes are need

loaders and Bible Seminary stud

ents.

ed, but narrow, high-heeled shoes

cannot be u.sed.

MONEY: Funds may be sent by check, money order or draft, direct to the field or to the forwarding agents. (See masthead)

SUNDAY SCHOOL MATERIALS:

There are about 75 Bible schools in

PACKAGES; DO NOT mail packages

to fonvarding agent

for

re-ship

Jamaica with hundreds of pupils enrolled, who depend on the mission for their teaching aids. Your sur

ment.
field.

This makes double expens'e.

Address:

Ship all packages DIRECT to the

plus niaterJals can be a great help

to thern in the spread of the gospel,

items we can use are:

Bibles and New Testaments

HALF-WAY-TREE P. 0.

Jamaica, B. W. I.

Primarj' picture papers, cards, rolls, etc. Teachers' quarterlies Work books, hand work, crayons Adult quarterlies Gospel tracts Religious books for the Jamaica Bible Seminary
NOTE: Do not send "Lookouts"

Mark Clothing packages: "Used clothing

for free distribution. No Coanmercial value."

Do not place a valuation of over $10.00 on any one package. Send by regular parcel post and do not put over 22 lbs. in any one package.

"Christian Standards" "Straight or "Junior Life." These papers are fine in their place, but they are not of enough use to us to warrcjit the postage expended.
All of the above materials can be sent

Use heavy cardboard cartons or strong

feed bags, and wrap and tie well.

duty free if marked "Used Religious

Material, No Commercial Value."
PR.^YERS OF THE SAINTS: "The ef

Do not place anything but used clothing in the boxes of clothing. Other items should be in separate boxes.
It takes several weeks for shipment to arrive, so do not worry if you do not i-eceive acknowledgment right
away.

fectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Don't forget to pray for the Lord's work in Ja
maica.

THE JAMAICA CHRISTIAN

Moore Haven, Fla.

SEC. 34.66 p. L. & R.

U. S. POSTAGE

PAID
Moore Haven, Fla.
OERMIT NO. 7

AND MRS. JAMES MERGCT.

mission.

TNCE' P.O.

JAMAICA.

VM. I.

POSTMASTER: If undelivered for any reason, notify sender stating reason on form 3547, postage for
which is ouaranteed.

April 19th 1955

Advance in Jamaica, Fifty-four wese "baptised into Christ dnring ihe first month of

the year in the Jamaica work; 78 others confessedtieir faith (yet to b'bey in "baptism);
and 22 others transfered mem"ber ship, aid two were restored tofisllowship. With four
missionary men now work on the field, they are taking tarns/ih, the Seminary work and

the field work of evangelism.' Beginning in May Both DowWe^/and J|jri^erget will
devote themselves to this country-wide evangelistic prcf^am whiifijBrothers Grayison
Ensign and Woodrow Phillips conduct the work of the Seminary, Address is Hal^ Way
Tree P. 0., Jamaica, B. W. I.

June 9th 1955

/

25 ADDED at FAITH'S PEN

AND poll;Ground

In April,

and three students of Jamaica Bible Seminary conducted evangelistic

meetingi^ in the churches at Faith's Pen and Pollygroimd^hich resulted in 25 confessions

of faith19 were to be baptised, but being a very dry seai^, they had to wait for water to

be carried in buckets to fill the baptisterj^^f^^^^^l^^^l^^^^Bg^ 0ne of those who came

is foreman in the bauxite mines in that vicinity, and a former Roman Catholic. Anther

student reported eight baptists as a result of an evangelistic meeting which he held in the

Boy's Hill district. Negotiations are underway to obtain a piece of property for this church
with a house where a native preacher could live. Brother Fream's address is Half Way Tree
P. O., Jamaica, B. W. 1.

FREAM'S
epoch

JAMAICA

NEWSLETTER

f^.-^6R/\jND CAYjVIAjN
Point

POt-t Duilding
di stricT

Islends highest f^oint

Tprppn
Bgptlsms
ere

f I r-h I ng

swpo

resboLfts

GEROGETOWN

iouno

odoen
own

L i^thouse

Sound

>3 50
-50
1>Z

Dear Christian Friends;

Half-V/ay-Tree July, 1955

How good it was to get our feet back on solid ground again, after such
a rough voyage as our trip back from the Cayman Islands: We returned on an

even smaller boat than we went on, and it should have been named the "DipsyDoodle." Even though we were homesick at times for Ja-aaica, we were often

tempted to stay on in Cayman. The Christians there were wonderful to us, and it seemed we v/ere just getting into the work well, and having results,
when we had to leave.

The work there is new, and small, and struggling, but growing surely and steadily. The island is more prosperous than Jamciica, and a church there can soon become self-supporting. Already the Christians are trying to lo

cate a lot where they can build their own house of worship.
the town hall at present, but this has many drawbacks*

They are using

You should see the

frightful litter of liquor bottles, cigarette stubs, etc. that the church folk have to clear out of the building every Sunday morning after the weekly
Saturday night town dances! Some warned that we would not be able to hold services in the unscreen

ed building during the mosquito season, but the folk put on repellent, brought along "bug bombs" and came anyway. Attendance averaged 2^ to 30 on week nights, and 40 to 50 on Sundays, (There are 15 baptized believers)* l-Iaxine played the little folding organ vje had brought v/ith us, and drew
colorful chalk illustrations of hymns each night, which added hiuch to the
servicds.

Bible studies at our house twice weekly proved popular, and we stayed up until late hours studying the scriptures and discussing important Bible
doctrines. There are several well-educated persons in the church who are

developing into promising leaders.

teach us - we need this so much."

Their constant plea was, "Stay on and

They do need someone to live there all

the tiLie, rather than depend on periodic visits from missionaries in Jamaica.

60 were enrolled.

Maxine held Bible classes for the children in the afternoons, and over

Most of them came from un-Christian homes, and seemed to

Our first visible re

"drink up" all their lessons on the Life of Christ,

sults did not come until two weeks had passed, and then there were baptisms

2.

for three days in a row. Several more were under conviction, if we could have but remained longer, but we were committed to other important events
in Jamaica this month. Remember these faithful ones in y our prayers.

Since returning to Jamaica, we have been "snowed under" with accumu lated mail and problems that did not solve themselves in our absence, but
waited patiently for us.

Building a bush arbor for the anticipated graduation firowd ran into difficulties, and we have instead rented three large tents. Attendance is expected to top a thouseind, and we are praying it will be a glorious day
for all.

The graduating students will need help in getting established, and I am committed to helping them financially. This is in line with our policy of helping the boys be self-supporting rather than putting them on a "salary basis" from the States, We are thankful for the grand way you at home have been meeting our needs and we are confident you will not fail us
now. May God bless you all.
In His joyful service.

/Q.
Donald Fream

10 August 1955

MISSION l^LP NEEDED

FOR NEW WORK IN
BRITISH WEST INDIES

DURING early summer, Donald and Mrs. Maxine\Fream held a meeting on Grand

Cayman island, a small island dependeiW ofjf^aica, seven by twenty-two mifes,

with a population of 5,000. It isjLabout 400 miles westa little northof Kingston and
' I

the church there was planted around the Tom Adam family whij^oved to Grand Cayman

shortly after their conversioiy^t Half Way Tree church in Jamaica.

Brother Fream wrote "The Christians there were wonderful to us, and it seemed we

late in 1954

were just gettniig into the work well, and having results, when we had to leavethere

were baptisms the last three days of the meeting^ There are now 15 baptised believers, <^udi^ttendance averaged 25 to 30 for the* meetings, and 40 to 50 came on Lord s Day^.
Due to the distance from the Freams will not be able to give much time to

the new work and missionary leadership is being sought to carry on. Anyone interested
lA coiitact them directly for further detailsHalf Way Tree P, O., Jaaica, B. W. I.