• Barbados, West Indies
    1989 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses

    • Memories of Exciting Days

      Among the ones whose activity dates back to those early times is Sister Lina Gaul, familiarly addressed by young and old alike as “Mammy Gaul.” Though her memory is not as sharp as in former times, oh, how she loves to relive those exciting days and to reflect on Jehovah’s marvelous dealings with his people! Now in her 90’s, Mammy Gaul recalls the time, back in 1910, when her father and mother received a tract from Mr. Thomas, a schoolteacher. With the aid of this tract and others printed by the Bible Students, the family soon learned the truth about hell, the soul, the Trinity, and other teachings. It did not take them long to sever all ties with the Christian Mission Church at Workman Village, and soon they associated with the ecclesia (or congregation) of Bible Students meeting at No. 40 Roebuck Street in Bridgetown. By 1911 both of her parents were ready for baptism, and the following year Lina was also immersed.

      Sister Gaul and her parents, Alexander and Josephine Payne, were viewed as “strayed sheep” by their former Christian Mission associates, and efforts were made to “restore” them. To that end, the mission held public meetings right in front of the Paynes’ home and implored the Lord to send them back to the Christian Mission fold.

      Sister Gaul, with a pleasant smile and twinkling eyes, recalls an occasion when her mother’s former best friend from the mission was sent to their home. As if hearing the conversation all over again, she relates:

      “‘Sister Payne,’ said my mother’s friend, ‘I have a message from the Lord for you.’

      “‘Did you see him? What did he look like?’ Mother countered.

      “‘He is a tall white man, dressed in white, riding a white horse, and he tells you to come back to Workman Village Hall.’

      “Mother’s next retort quickly ended their attempts to get us to return to the Mission Church. She said: ‘Well, you go back and tell this “man” that I, Josephine Payne, say that I am not coming back.’”

      The Paynes, as well as other individuals associating with the Bible Students in those early years, met with considerable ridicule and persistent opposition. However, their faith was strong. In retrospect, we can appreciate this question raised in the Scriptures: “Who has despised the day of small things?” (Zech. 4:10) Without a doubt, Jehovah’s purpose to have his name declared in all the earth included this small island in the West Indies.

      Sister Gaul is still actively serving and has never missed a month in preaching the good news since her baptism in 1912. Although having suffered two strokes, locally referred to as “passovers,” she still maintains a clear head and is always looking for opportunities to share the good news with others.