Year Book of Jehovah's Witnesses - Watchtower Archive

Yearbook 79
missionaries knew the people needed the trutb more than
anything else, and, by the Lord's grace, they were there
to learn the language quickly and help the people get the
good news.
Many are the experiences of these missionaries with the
people in Martinique. When they receive their rolls of French
magazines, they would go to the street corners or the market
place and there offer them to the people. It wouldn't be long
before a crowd would assemble and propound many questions,
all of which gave them opportunity to place the literature.
Finding so many people interested in the Bible and
Bible teachings disturbed the priest, who then called the
gendarmes, and they took down the information as to who
these peopie were. From that time on these missionaries
were watched very closely in their activity.
One man was found who had heard the truth 40 years ago.
He had read Pastor Russell's books, but for quite some time
he had lost track of the ol'ganization. Now he was very glad
to again meet with Jehovah's witnesses. He is now studying
and talking to the people in his business. Another time
a young lady stopped two of the missionaries and said, "I
was in New York last week, and your people were on every
street corner with the magazines. '1'hey were having a convention."
"How did you know usT asked the missionary,
"Ob, everybody knows you people," she answered, and then
inquired where our meetings were held.
News soon got around the island that some missionaries
had entered and were telling the people about God's kingdom
and a new world arrangement where peace and prosperity
will reign. This the Catholic clergy and the Protestant
ministers object to because it starts the people thinking, and
one thing the Catholic Church does not like is for their
people to think. It is quite evident that the clergy have had
great influence with the police and the governmental authorities.
So on July 7 notice was received from the local
government that the missionaries should be ready to leave
Martinique on the first of the new year. No reason for this
action was given. An effort was made to see the prefect,
but the brethren were brought to the secretary-general. After
witnessing to him and explaining the work, he suggested that
they write to the prefect and explain our work, This was
done, but the answer was the same,
Recently the old prefect was relieved of his position and
a new prefect was put into office. He gave the brethren the
opportunity to speak to him about their problem. What the
outcome will be is unknown. Many of the people on the
island when they learned that the missionaries would have
to leave, said, "The church is behind this." They understoou