In the winter of 1889, Mr. Wm. Arnold of America, began colporteur work in the West Indies. While thus engaged he was successful in obtaining the names and addresses of twelve hundred persons, which were sent to the International Tract Society for its use in missionary work. By correspondence and the sending of reading matter to these addresses, an interest was awakened in the truth, and thus was the way opened for the promulgation of the gospel through the preaching of the Word. GSAM 431.3
In response to the call made for ministerial labor, Elder D. A. Ball, in November, 1890, went to the Barbadoes and to other points, to labor. Several persons accepted the truth as the result of his efforts. In 1892, Mr. Patterson, from California, canvassed the islands for “Bible Readings” with good success. In 1893, B. B. Newman went from Florida to Jamaica to take the superintendency of the canvassing work during the absence of Mr. Arnold. Mr. Evans and Mr. Hackett also went to the Indies the same year, to engage in this branch of work. In the month of May, Elder Haysmer and his wife entered this field to labor as the way might open. Soon after this Mr. Arnold returned, this time to canvass for books treating upon the subject of health. Up to July, 1895, books of this character had been sold in Jamaica alone to the amount of $8,200, while the sale of religious books amounted to $7,654, or a total of $15,854. This distribution of so large an amount of literature aided much in establishing at Kingston a well-organized church of seventy-five members, and opening avenues for ministerial labor in other parts of the island. GSAM 431.4