THE SOCIETY SENDS A REPRESENTATIVE

The interested ones were soon organized into study groups. So much interest was found that, six years after the first light of truth reached this land, the Society saw the need to send a representative, J. A. Browne, to oversee the work in Jamaica. Commenting on the work accomplished that year, the Watch Tower of December 15, 1904, page 373, said: “Jamaica was the center of a good work during the past year [1903]. The interested are nearly all blacks, and Brother Browne . . . has apparently been doing excellent service there; not so much in awakening new interest as in crystalizing and really directing and deepening that already started.”

Taking the message to rural areas in those early days required a great deal of courage, faith and determination. There were no motorcars, no rural transportation and no paved roads. As Brother Browne reported in the Watch Tower of January 1, 1907, page 7:

“The Colporteur brethren should be specially mentioned: the work here is extremely hard, even distressing, and we are sure that it is only the love of the Truth that would lead anyone to give up his life to it.

“There are no facilities for traveling or for conveying books. All the work is done in the mountains and brethren have to walk from 20 to 60 miles, carrying on their shoulders from 15 to 30 books. It is difficult traveling over the mountains and into the valleys, sometimes being overtaken by rain, sleeping out often at night because unable to find lodging, and, being disappointed many times in deliveries, and having to return long distances with the books they carried. And yet some of them call it a joyful privilege to be so engaged. Their appreciation is shown by the fact that others are joining the ranks.”