WALTER G. BOND by Walter G. Bond

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jul 14, 1904

WALTER G. BOND

By Walter G. Bond

Spain

BARCELONA.— The meetings and Bible readings are continued with increasing interest. The tract work is also receiving some attention. We are now having some of the tracts published here. These will cost us much less. A few are trying to live the message, for which we praise God.

Last week King Alphonso made this city a visit. Although the people of Cataluna are opposed to the king, they made great preparations for his reception. Weeks were spent in decorating, although his majesty was to remain but three hours. O that hearts could be stirred by a realization of the fact that King Jesus is soon to come! So few give their eternal welfare even one thought.

During the hour that we were in sight of the young monarch, who is under eighteen years of age, we saw him smoke three cigarettes. He also sampled some of the strong drink produced in this district. Here these evils reign from the hovel of the most miserable to the king's palace. It is said that one can travel from France to Gibraltar, or from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, and find scarcely a man who does not smoke cigarettes, and not a man, woman, or child who does not drink wine. The popular Protestant churches make no objection to these practises. A sad feature is that the missionaries sent here by different societies themselves soon become contaminated, and use freely of wine. Surely, the third angel's message is the only thing that meets the demand.

Some time ago a boy twelve years of age started to attend the school. Previously he attended the government school, conducted by monks. After attending a few weeks, one evening he said to his family: “I like these people's religion better than ours.” The father said, “Tell us about it. What do they believe?” Tracts and papers on the message were given them, and Bible readings were held. As a result, the mother is now keeping the Sabbath, for which we thank God. The whole family attend our meetings. The harvest indeed is great, but the laborers are few.

Brother and Sister Robinson arrived one week ago to-day. We are glad to have help among the seventeen million five hundred thousand of this country. We pray the Lord to send more laborers, and by his grace we shall work while we wait.