p. 11 | Brazil by J. E. Brown

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 30, 1914

Brazil

By J. E. Brown

J. E. BROWN

After having spent one year in Brazil, we thought it time those at home were hearing from us. We arrived here the last of January, one year ago. This was the hottest part of the year, but after taking a most beautiful train ride up the mountains, from Santos to Sao Paulo, we found the climate very pleasing. In fact, all nature pleases here, and "only man is vile."

During the past year we have been battling with the language and customs, and doing what we could to help the already overpressed workmen. We are now almost ready to begin work in the Portuguese language. Scarcely no time has been lost by sickness. We brought our baby here at five months of age, a weakly child. Now she is the picture of health, for which we thank God. As every one knows who has been in a field where a strange language is spoken, the first year is a year of trials and difficulties—so much to do that we cannot do because we do not have the language. Yet we have passed through these experiences, and feel closer to God for them.

The work here seems tremendous, yet I never before saw such evidence of the working of the Holy Spirit. Interests are springing up all over the country, many calling for a minister, but there is no one to go. These calls put a zeal in our hearts that we can hardly resist, yet we must content ourselves a few months longer in language study and distributing literature.

A colporteur here sold a tract to a woman, and she has kept the Sabbath for two years

without knowing of us. A man who is waiting for baptism showed another man who came from a distance the fourth commandment, and he went home and told his family, and they all began keeping the Sabbath. He then talked with his neighbors, and thirty or forty of them are interested. This man begged me several times to come and teach them all our doctrines. I could only respond that I would come if I was sent by the conference.

A colporteur called a Baptist minister's attention to the Sabbath, and he responded, "You have taken a burden from my heart that has been there for three years." This man is now obeying God as far as he knows. These experiences show that God is greatly in earnest with us, and his plan is to "finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness." It also shows some of the simple yet effective methods he is using to do the work.

The great increase in our laborers is another encouraging feature of our work. They have almost doubled the past year, and yet they seem only as a drop in the bucket as compared with the needs.

We have just passed through a union conference in which God came very near, and important plans were laid for future work. These no doubt have already been reported by others.

While everything seemed strange at first, yet now we feel at home, and thank God for the courage we have to go forward. We fully believe the work here will soon close. Our confidence is not in ourselves, but in God. This land of Brazil is a goodly land, and we want to go up and possess it. We believe that by the strength of God, by the help that comes from home each year in laborers and means, and by the prayers of the brethren, we shall be "well able to overcome it."

Sao Paulo.