Between the years 396 and 407 A. D. the barbarian tribes from the north invaded Italy. They scaled the walls of Rome, robbing it of all its riches, in a general sack. They ravaged the fields and devastated every city they found in their march. They passed into Gaul, where some remained; the rest crossed the Pyrenees, making themselves masters of Spain; they invaded Lusitania, ending their career in the extremity of the peninsula.
Until the year 585, the city of Porto belonged to the Suevic kingdom, and afterward formed part of the great Gothic kingdom. In 716 it was still in the power of the Goths; but then it was besieged and taken by the Moors commanded by the Emir Abdil-Azim. For one hundred four years the Moors were the pacific masters of this city, until 820, when D. Alfonso I of Leon (the Catholic) redeemed it from the power of the infidels. In 825 the city was destroyed by Al Mancor the Great, not one stone being left upon another. For one hundred fifty-seven years it was deserted and abandoned. In 984 the Gascons, Portuguese, and French rebuilt it.
Ferdinand Magellan, who first circumnavigated the globe, was born here. He was killed in the Philippines, April 27, 1521. In 1732, in Clergy Street, began the construction of the Clergy church, called thus because it is said to have been built by the Catholic clergy. In 1748 was begun the work on the tower of the Clerigos, which was concluded in 1763, Nicolas Maroni, an Italian, being the architect.
This tower is the highest in the kingdom, and one of the most elegant and notable of Europe, much exceeding in height those of Hamburg, Bologna, Utrecht, Riga, and Bristol. It is all masonry work of most solid construction, founded on a rock, and has resisted all storms and convulsions of the globe, except in 1834, when a strong tempest destroyed a small part of this tower, which was, a short time after, repaired. In 1862 an electric bolt threw the globe and cross to the ground. These were soon replaced. Now there is a lightning-conductor. The height of the tower, from the level of the street to the metal globe that crowns it, is two hundred forty-seven one-half feet. It can be seen from the sea thirty-seven miles distant, serving as a guide to sailors who wish to enter the port. The pulpit is all of most beautiful marble, and cost more than twenty thousand dollars.
GROUP OF WORKERS AND BELIEVERS IN PORTUGAL
In 1834, at the suppression of religious orders, there were here twenty-seven churches and forty-nine public and private chapels, and nineteen convents for monks and nuns. March 25, 1877, a new Anglican Protestant temple was dedicated, the second in the city. The first was founded many years before. Of Protestant denominations, there are Methodist, Baptist, and Lutheran.
Two years ago our work was begun here by Elder Ernest Schwantes, with the help, for about one year, of two colporteurs. Visiting from house to house is not to be considered here, and only by opening a hall to the public can anything be accomplished. Out of eleven persons baptized, four went to Brazil, two moved to the frontier of Spain, one died, one moved to Lisbon, and three apostatized. A goodly number are now in great hunger for the Word. We shall do what we can from Lisbon to minister to their needs. On account of his health, Brother Schwantes was allowed to return to his home country, Brazil.
The accompanying picture shows a group of Sabbath-keepers in Portugal. In the back row, beginning at the right, is a young brother from Porto, who is now with me at Lisbon. He ought to be sent to school in Gland. The second will leave soon for Switzerland. The third is the first Portuguese Sabbath-keeper in Portugal. The writer comes next, with Brother Schwantes on his right. After him comes a German brother, who is on his way to work in the Brazilian office. The last is an interested friend, who finds it a hard thing to obtain employment where he can keep the Sabbath. Just in front of him are his wife and daughter, who are Sabbath-keepers. The next in the front row is a sister from Porto, with her child. These are escaping severe persecution by going to Brazil. The fourth from the left is the first Sabbath-keeper in Portugal. By her side are the writer's wife and children. The next three are members of the first Portuguese family to receive the truth.
I wonder if there is any one who would like to educate the young boy at the extreme right. He is seventeen years old, an orphan, having had a hard life, but, I believe, is truly converted. He is earnestly desirous of being a true child of God. We would like to call for help; but we will leave his case in God's hands. Remember our field in your prayers.
Lisbon.
West Africa
By T. M. French
T. M. FRENCH
Tuesday morning, August 11, we steamed into the harbor of Freetown, Sierra Leone, aboard the “Falaba.” The first view that greeted our sight was a beautiful mountainside rising to the south, covered with palm, mango, cotton, and other tropical trees, with their varied shades of green, giving the appearance of a beautiful park. It was a pleasing scene after a ten-day voyage from England. Our steamer soon anchored, and we were immediately surrounded by a large number of small boats manned by natives to take the passengers ashore.
After going ashore, we met Brother D. C. Babcock and some of our native believers, who gave us a hearty welcome. As soon as our luggage was passed through the custom-house, we made our way up through the grassy streets to our mission home, where a very neat, pleasant building has been erected on the mountainside. How different the conditions from what Brother and Sister Babcock faced when they began work here! Truly we have much for which to be thankful in the establishment of the work in these difficult fields by our pioneer missionaries.
The mission home is located at an elevation of two hundred sixty feet, in a very beautiful, healthful place overlooking the city and the sea on the west. A cool breeze, continually blowing, makes it very pleasant. Brother and Sister Babcock have labored hard in building the house and beautifying the grounds, but they are richly repaid with good health and with the respect of the citizens and officials of Freetown.
Wednesday we attended prayer-meeting at the church. On arriving I was much surprised to find such a beautiful church, and a large attendance of intelligent-looking natives who have accepted the third angel’s message. If the prayer-meeting is an index to the spirituality of the church, it shows an excellent spirit among our people here; and I am convinced that this is true as I become13more intimately acquainted with them.
The Lord has signally blessed the efforts put forth in this place, and the light of this glorious gospel is penetrating the strongholds of heathenism. And yet fetish worship is carried on within a stone’s throw of our mission.
Several of the natives are developing into good workers, and a number are waiting to enter the school as soon as it opens, in order to prepare quickly for the work. There seems to be good talent among the young men, which will be invaluable in carrying on the work in a field like this. Some of these young men speak the language of tribes along the coast and in the interior, and I believe they will eventually prove efficient workers among their people. A building is soon to be erected for a training-school for these young men.
Freetown has a population of about sixty thousand, and has the best harbor on the West Coast. It is the capital of Sierra Leone. While the English language is spoken, natives from nearly all the leading tribes may be seen going to and from the markets. The city has an abundance of good, pure water piped from the mountains, and on the whole, is quite a healthful place. There is also an abundance of fruits and nuts to be had in the markets. Wild animals are still quite plentiful in the “bush,” and at times venture within the city limits. A very large leopard visited the mission home yesterday.
While a good beginning has been made on the West Coast, when we think of the millions of the interior who have never heard the glad news of a Saviour, it should inspire us to greater activity, and so much the more as we “see the day approaching.” It is a great problem to meet the many calls that are continually coming in. “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest,” and that he may abundantly bless the efforts now being put forth.
Freetown, Sierra Leone.
ED. F. FORGA
By Ed. F. Forga
A Plea for the Inca Indians of Peru — No. 2
ED. F. FORGA
No people on earth would endure such inhuman treatment, and make no effort for their freedom. The most notable attempt in this direction was made by Tupac Amaru, an Indian chief, in 1780; but this, like every former attempt to obtain liberty, was unsuccessful. On this occasion the cruel spirit of the Catholic conquerors revealed itself in a special manner. The leader of the Indians was captured, taken to the plaza in Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Inca empire, and forced to see his wife and son and other relatives and friends shamefully treated and put to death. His tongue was then cut out, and his limbs fastened to four horses, which, running in different directions, tore his body to pieces.
But the blood of the martyrs is never shed in vain. A few years later, in 1821, with the last battle against the political tyranny of Spain was victoriously fought by the patriots. This revolution resulted in the republic of Peru.
But it happened with the Peruvians, even as with the negroes in the Southern States after being granted their constitutional freedom at the close of the Civil War. In an article, “The Negro in Politics,” in the American Magazine for January, 1908, Ray Stannard Baker says: “Revolutions, such as the Civil War, change names. They do not at once change human relationships. Mankind is reconstructed, not by proclamations or legislation or military occupations, but by time, growth, education, religion, thought.” So with the Indians in Peru; though the constitution declares them free, still they remain slaves under the rule of the Roman Catholic Church, which has held them in darkness and ignorance.
Hear the sad lament of the poor Indian:—
“Cursed be the day when first the white man came!
Cursed be the Spaniard, cursed his very name:
He came to us a stranger to our soil,
To ask our help, then made of us a spoil,
And took our land
With ruthless hand:
He slew our chiefs, our wives he sold to shame,
And practised cruelties in what he termed God’s name.
What mockery and everlasting shame.!”
“. . . At first we, friendly, thought
That Heaven had sent them here; we reverently sought
To please them well, though strange their ways appeared.
With shoutings gay a wooden cross they reared,
And made us bow,
As they do now,
To some uplifted ornament which they adore:
To us it is a thing which we abhor,
For in its name they made us slaves the more.”
The Indian of To-Day
Mr. David F. Watkins, who for more than thirty-five years has labored in gospel work among the Spanish and the natives of Mexico and Central and South America, has written regarding the condition of the Inca Indians. We quote the following from his pen:—
“On their little farms they make butter and cheese, and grind toasted corn, and sell it. They also grow potatoes in abundance, and barley, wheat, and corn, as well as everything in the nature of garden produce that is consumed in towns and villages. They weave blankets and woolen cloths for their wearing apparel, such as pantaloons, ponchos, etc., out of the wool of the sheep, the vicugna, the alpaca, and the llama. They also tan leather, but very poorly, and make hemp ropes and hats and stockings and numerous other things that the people of the country use.
“But never are they allowed to enjoy the fruits of their heavy toil; the priests and governors possess themselves of that. For instance, they discover how much wool and hair can be obtained from the Indians’ sheep, llamas, and other animals, and then force him to take, or leave with him against his will, about one half, or at least one third, of the value. At the end of the year they collect the wool, etc., and sell it, of course, for a fair price. In one small district recently, a profit of two thousand four hundred dollars on one hundred twenty hundredweight of alpaca wool was made on the price paid to the Indians for it. In some cases instead of paying them with money, they force them to take alcoholic liquors, which are bought cheaply, and are sold to the Indians at a very high price. Sometimes if an Indian has, say four hundredweight of wool, they compel him to give them five hundredweight at the end of the year; he has to secure it as he can, often by stealing. If he fails to get it, he is beaten and kicked, his house is despoiled, and in many cases his property is sold, and his children are taken as merchandise. In this way, many an Indian loses all his property. If he takes his case into the court, nothing is done for him, on account of the influence of the governors and the priests, and the injustice of the judges.”
H. J. JEWELL
By H. J. Jewell
India
H. J. JEWELL
For the past few weeks the writer has had the privilege of visiting friends in Mussoorie, our North India hill station; and I think we are safe in saying that at no time in the history of our work in India has the work gone with such an impetus as it has the past year. A Bible training-school has been conducted for native seekers after truth; and up to the present time twelve natives, and, I believe, seven Europeans, have received baptism:
Many of these new converts are now scattered to other parts of the field, canvassing, and preaching the message. Mussoorie has been thoroughly aroused; scores of people are inquiring for truth; the leading ministers and missionaries of the city have preached and published tracts, and have circulated evil reports against Seventh-day Adventists and their work; but all this has only caused many of their own members to search for truth, and to condemn the action of their leaders. A church has been organized, and amid all the bitter opposition, it is gaining friends every day.
All over the land there is a gradual tendency toward the Church of Rome. This is especially noticeable in the Church of England, which is Catholic in all except name.
The fundamental truths of the Bible are being set aside, and Scientific Theology, Higher Criticism, Spiritualism, and satanic sophistries are taking the place of Christ's teachings. Of a surety, the hour is at hand when we should arise to proclaim the message; not one of us should be idle. “We must let our light shine amid the moral darkness.14Many who are now in darkness, as they see a reflection of the ‘Light of the world,’ will realize that they have a hope of salvation. Your light may be small, but remember that it is what God has given you, and that he holds you responsible to let it shine forth. Some one may light his taper from yours, and his light may be the means of leading others out from the darkness.”
It is high time that we all press together, laying aside all selfishness, and putting on the whole armor of God. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people; but the Lord shall rise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”
Look at the world to-day; study its condition. At no time in the world's history have there been such corruption and confusion as exist to-day. Thousands of educated men and women are turning from Christianity, and delving into mysteries that are only traps of Satan. The truths of God, which have been the Christian's hope for thousands of years, are being set aside for fables.
Only last week a large and influential society was organized in South India, the object being a thorough study into the mysteries of Spiritualism; and this is not the only thing of its kind in India. The Lord is breaking down the barriers in all Asiatic countries, which have so long withstood the gospel, and is calling upon us to go forward.
As long as the people of these old countries were content to worship gods of wood and stone, Satan, too, was content; but as soon as God's Word enters, it is followed by all the evil doctrines that have subverted Christianity. The schools and colleges that have been built for the uplifting of the native, are filled with false teaching.
Old men, who have preached the good old Bible truths for a generation or more, are becoming drunken with the corrupt present-day teaching, and it is small wonder that the poor native finds himself in a whirlpool of mysteries. May God help us to prize our talent, however small it may be, and work like Nehemiah and his followers on the walls of Jerusalem.
My brother, do you lack wisdom? Is your courage weak? Do you feel that you are not prepared for the task set before you? The message from the Saviour in the great treasure-house above is, ‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find.’
The Lord will never disappoint those who ask in order that they may impart to others. Paul says, ‘My God shall supply all your need.’
Let us arise, trim our lamps, and go forward, keeping the windows of our hearts open heavenward, that God's glory may shine into every corner, and dispel all selfishness, that we may be prepared to receive that glorious gift, the Holy Spirit, or latter rain.
Calcutta.
Notes of Travel
By Ellen G. White
We have just returned from a visit to Southern California, where we spent four weeks attending the Los Angeles camp-meeting, and visiting the sanitariums at Glendale, Paradise Valley, and Loma Linda. The camp-meeting was an important one, and there were able workers present all through the meeting.
We reached Los Angeles on Friday afternoon, August 7, after a long and trying journey, made unusually wearisome on account of accidents to other trains on the road. Twice we were delayed because of freight trains ahead of us whose machinery had broken down,—once during the night, and again at 6:30 A. M. This time we were compelled to wait for nearly seven hours, while a wrecking-train went ahead to clear the line.
The heat in the cars was intense, so at breakfast time we took our lunch-basket to a hillside near by, and ate in the shade of a large water-tank. We had plenty of fresh fruit, for which we were thankful. After eating breakfast we returned to the car, and waited for the time when we could move on. We had a compartment to ourselves, but it was impossible to keep out the hot, dust-laden air while crossing the Mojave desert in the heat of the day.
At Los Angeles we found a small, furnished cottage placed at the disposal of my family, and another close by in which Elders A. G. Daniells and W. C. White and Brother Clarence Crisler stayed. We were very thankful for this accommodation.
The next morning, Sabbath, August 8, I spoke to an immense crowd gathered in the large tent. My voice had not its usual strength, but the Lord blessed me with freedom, and I received the testimony from several who sat on the outskirts of the crowd, that they heard every word I spoke.
Our brethren thought that at this meeting it would be a wise thing to give the W. C. T. U. workers an opportunity to address the congregation in the large tent, and time was given them on the first Sunday of the camp-meeting. An excellent meeting was held, and the W. C. T. U. workers expressed their appreciation of the consideration they had thus received. We are seeking to help these people, and I know that such experiences will have an influence.
The meetings throughout the camp were excellent, and a deep interest prevailed. I spoke to the ministers gathered in one of the smaller tents, presenting to them the advantages to be gained by having the meeting continue another week. There were many W. C. T. U. workers in Los Angeles who were interested in our work, and some were attending the meetings. I was anxious that everything possible should be done to become acquainted with these women. By extending the meeting one week the workers would have an opportunity to become more intimately acquainted with these people, who, though not of our faith, were in many respects working in right lines.
It was decided to extend the meeting over the third Sunday. On that day I spoke to a very large congregation upon the importance of the seventh-day Sabbath. I spoke for one hour, presenting before the people the evidence that God has given in his Word regarding the sanctity of the seventh day. As I ceased speaking, a lady, a member of the W. C. T. U., came up to me, and throwing her arms around me, said, with tears: “I accept the seventh day Sabbath because the Word of God declares it to be his day. He sanctified the seventh day. I am fully converted.”
On Sabbath, August 22, I spoke to the patients and helpers at Glendale, and to the neighbors, who gathered in the two large parlors on the first floor. The Lord gave me freedom in speaking to those assembled. As I spoke to all from the Word of life, and especially to those who were afflicted, I felt the Holy Spirit come into my own heart. I could see that the hearers were blessed, for their faces beamed with hope.
On Monday afternoon, August 24, we took the train for National City. At the station we met Brother Harmon W. Lindsay, who is now the business manager of the Paradise Valley Sanitarium. He had two teams waiting for our party, and we were taken quickly to the sanitarium.
At the sanitarium, we found that the physician, the matron, and the manager are working heartily and unitedly to make the institution a cheerful home for the afflicted. On Wednesday morning I spoke to the patients and helpers in the parlors. These are beautiful rooms, and are calculated to accommodate a large or small company, as the need may be. I could not help thinking how much these pleasant rooms must be appreciated by the sick ones.
After this I was asked to join a company in praying for Sister W. H. McKee, the mother of Mrs. R. S. Cummings, our matron. For years Sister McKee has labored for unfortunate young women, a work that is often neglected. She felt that she was in need of healing, for her nervous system was run down, and she feared a breakdown. She specified her desire that I should unite my prayers with those whom she had invited to join in this season of seeking God. I knelt down close by the side of this sister, and pleaded with God that he would heal her.
For some time I myself had been afflicted with pain in my right hip. As I prayed for Sister McKee, I did not mention myself as in need of healing. But when I claimed the promise for her, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;” I felt, as I have felt many times when praying for the sick, the rich blessing of God came upon me. The stiffness and pain left my limb, and I was blessed as verily as was Sister15McKee, for whom our prayers were offered.
The next morning, August 27, we left Paradise Valley for Loma Linda. At Colton a carriage from the sanitarium was waiting for us, and we were soon at this sanitarium, which we have all appreciated so much. I have sometimes wished that I might meet those who first owned this property, and who gave it over to us with all its beautiful furnishings. I should like to tell them of our gratitude. Grateful thanks arise in my heart whenever I think of what God has wrought for us in this place. And I know that much good has been done through this institution, and that souls have been converted through its instrumentality. MRS. E. G. WHITE.
Argentina, South America
By Arturo Fulton
It is indeed gratifying to be able to report advancement in the work in this field. A few instances of the way the truth is gaining access to the people in this conference may be of interest to the readers of the REVIEW.
One of our brethren wished to send his two sons to our school in Entre Rios to get a preparation for the work, but they had no inclination to go. “Very well,” he said, “you may stay at home and put in the crops, and I will go and do missionary work.” So it was arranged. The father visited his neighbors, talked of the truth, studied with those willing to learn, until the whole neighborhood was stirred over the matter. Some of the other elders of near-by churches visited these people, and later Brethren Gott Block and Jacob Riffel held meetings with them for a few weeks, at the close of which twelve precious souls were united with the church by baptism. The interest and work still continued, and a few days ago seven others were baptized. These united with the Lucas Gonzalez church in Entre Rios. The results of the work of this brother have encouraged others to begin work for their neighbors. Two have recently been baptized and joined the Urdinarrain church in this same province.
About three years ago three or four families of our people came to Argentina from Rumania. They had no connection with our work in this country. The daughter of one of the brethren hired out to work for a Hebrew merchant, who had a store in Diamante near our school. Learning that she was a Sabbath-keeper, he told her of our people in Diamante. With tears of joy running down her cheeks, she hurried home to tell the good news to her friends. Soon letters were exchanged, and later some of the workers visited these believers. They are living about four hundred miles south of Buenos Aires, and with the exception of a company of believers at Tandil, about midway between them and Buenos Aires, they are the only Sabbath-keepers in that part of the country. During the month of August, Brother Block visited them, baptizing six, and organizing a church of twenty members. There was great interest manifested in the different places he visited on this trip. At one place he found a colony of eight families, who had bought, some time before, a book on the prophecies, and had been impressed with the truths for this time. He could spend only one day with them, and until late at night they studied together. Early the next morning, on arising, he found the whole village had come together to have another meeting before he must leave. With tears they begged him to return and teach them the truth.
The greatest need is for more workers. We are waiting each day to receive news of the coming of Elders C. E. Knight and W. C. Moffet, who we understand have been appointed to this field. They will find a warm welcome, and plenty to do for the Master.
ARTURO FULTON.
A Visit to Madura
By E. H. Gates
ONE day we visited the island of Madura. This is a populous island, separated from Java by a narrow strait. I was greatly surprised to find such a pretty island. There was a good tramline, by which we crossed the island to Bangkalan. The people are almost wholly Mohammedans, and the population numbers about two million.
We were probably the first representatives of the present truth who ever stepped on the soil of Madura.
At Bangkalan the sisters, who are able to speak Malay and Dutch, quickly sold the two copies of “Ministry of Healing” they carried, and twenty-five tracts. The purchasers of the books were Dutch teachers who could read English. One of them gave a present of a Dutch guilder to the sisters to assist in their work. The tracts were Dutch and Malay.
On one of the Sundays of my stay in Sourabaya, we all went, by invitation, several miles into the country, and attended a Javanese church service. The young Javanese Christians referred to above accompanied us, and rendered us every service in their power. This church was organized about fifty years ago, and the converts were from the ranks of Mohammedanism. We were received with great respect by the pastor and his flock. The church was a fairly neat bamboo structure, with a schoolhouse and parsonage in the same yard. The floor of the church was of earth, though well swept, and the seats were simply planks without backs. We were given chairs near the pulpit. The singing was fairly good, but we could not judge of the value of the sermon, which was preached in the Javanese tongue.
At the close of the service I had a conversation with the pastor through our interpreter, and learned many interesting facts. There are about fifty who take communion, though twice as many often attend. I noticed, as I have among other Javanese Christians, that the people are very orderly and quiet during service. If a baby begins to cry, it is at once removed. In this way no one is obliged to lose what the minister says. Mohammedans are almost unimpressible by gospel influences; but some will be reached when they see the beauty of truth.
At another Sunday night meeting in the mission house, there was a company of intelligent people, many of them heathen. Excellent order was observed, and close attention given to every word spoken. Those who had Bibles looked up all the texts.
When the commandment forbidding the making of idols was read, two of the Chinese listeners began to whisper together very earnestly, apparently giving their assent to the words read. I felt greatly encouraged at the result of the work of these earnest, hard-working sisters. They should be generously supported, and everything possible should be done which will tend to preserve them in health. Sourabaya is a terrible place as far as the preservation of health is concerned, and these sisters must not be allowed to reside there continuously.
Our Chinese sister, Gee Nio, has decided to give considerable time to selling Malay and Chinese tracts from house to house. The first two hours she spent at it were a success. She sold thirty-five tracts and commandment charts, and received a donation of two and a half guilders (4s. 6d.) from a Dutch doctor who became interested in our work. This is virgin soil, and there are great possibilities before our tract work.
A day or two after, this young lady sold tracts to the value of two guilders, seventy cents (4s. 7d.). This is better than giving them away entirely; for people appreciate what they pay for, and besides, there is a small profit on the tracts. This is an economical way of doing missionary work.
During my stay in the city, I held Bible studies each Friday night with Brother Fox's Chinese students. I was very glad to see that three at least of the oldest of these seemed much interested in Bible truths. They were clean, bright, well-dressed youth.
E. H. GATES.
A Plea for Tampico, Mexico
By H. A. Robinson
I NOTICED an article some time ago in the Signs of the Times which mentioned the fact that an experienced brother from the Pacific Press Publishing Company, of Mountain View, Cal., had been sent to Mexico City to take charge of the printing and publishing work in that place, and that two others had also gone down to help in the canvassing work. An article in the REVIEW also mentioned the number of books that had been translated into Spanish and shipped to Mexico City.
All this is good, but have any noticed that these efforts are all confined to Mexico City? Just think! in a country16almost as large as the United States, there are but three mission stations, — Tacubaya, San Luis Potosi, and Guadalajara. It is true that the work has been going on steadily in Mexico City, and good results have been attained; but is there not some one who would like to start the work in another district?
There are but four Adventists here [in Tampico], and one of these is going back to the States this fall, and another at Tampico Alto, seven miles from here. The people are by no means religiously inclined, and in our spare time we have given them some papers, but this is not sufficient. What they need is painstaking teaching or constant reading work.
All the clerks in the stores work every day, except for about four hours from 2 P. M. to 6 P. M. on Sundays. The majority of the people seem to have heard the gospel, but have not given it very much attention. There are many who simply eat, sleep, work, and go to amusements. I once spoke to a young man about the life he was leading, and what he thought of the hereafter. He told me that he didn't care anything about the hereafter. All he had to do was to work, get money, spend it, and have a general good time, until death comes. I could do nothing for him. Another told me that he believes he will die just as a dog dies,— that there will be no hereafter.
I make this appeal specially for Tampico, as I believe this is one of the most needy places in this large and rising republic. The city is growing in business, population, and importance every day, and is expected to be the most important city in the republic within a short time. Its late growth has been due to its excellent facilities for shipping, which are the best in Mexico. Goods are received from consignees all over the world, shipped by one of over thirty lines of steamers, landed here, and then conveyed by rail to all the important manufacturing and mining districts inland. It is situated in the midst of agricultural districts, and is visited by American farmers every fall and winter, most of whom buy land, and then return in the spring to stay.
There is an opening here for an English school, and any teacher coming would get no less than a score of English-speaking children the first day the school was opened. Many from the surrounding country would also send scholars as soon as they found out about it.
I hope I have made conditions clear. To any who desire more information on the subject, I shall be glad to give all I can. We always pray for the people here, and also that some one may be sent them soon. I now make this call in writing. Who will answer?
H. A. ROBINSON.
Delaware
By Fred H. Seeney
DOVER.—Sabbath, October 17, we organized a church of seventeen members, and a Sabbath-school of twenty-seven members, the result of our tent effort in this place this year. Several others are keeping the Sabbath, and expect to have baptism next Sabbath. The Lord is blessing wonderfully in the work here. Recently we asked how many were willing to help us in building a little place of worship, and several announced their willingness, one man saying that he would give twenty-five dollars, another fifteen dollars, some ten dollars, some five dollars, some two dollars, and so on, until we had more than one hundred twenty-five dollars subscribed. The work is moving on in this part of the field. Our hearts go out in gratitude to the Lord for his guiding hand. FRED H. SEENEY.
An Encouraging Experience
By I. T. Reynolds
THERE is now at work in the State of Louisiana a man whose example should be an incentive to ten thousand other members of our church throughout the world. This brother has left his home in the country, and his loved ones, and is trudging up and down his chosen territory, a canvasser.
In the territory where he worked last year, there was an earnest call for a minister; one was sent, and a company was raised up. Let me quote from a letter just received from him:—
“In trying to get a place to stay all night, I felt impressed to leave the main road. At every house for several miles I found the men gone to the fair, and was always told of some one a mile farther on who would keep me. Finally a man came to the door. It was after dark, but he, too, directed me to a place farther on. I then told him that I would sleep in the barn before I would walk any farther. He laughed, and told me to come in. The next day the Lord led me into a neighborhood where seven or eight persons were searching for the truth. They had withdrawn from their own church because it tolerated church festivals. I stayed Friday night, Sabbath, and Sunday with them. That Sabbath was a blessed one for us. They ordered several books, and are anxious that a preacher be sent to them.”
Brethren, in that day when the Lord comes, how will you stand? Will your farms, your acres added to acres, be all you will have to show for your life-work? or will you, like this faithful brother, devote your life to the Lord’s work?
There are many in this State, who, like the company this brother found, have never heard of present truth, and can never hear of it unless hunted out by the faithful canvasser. We need help, for we are few. Will not some others come and help to hasten the end? Write me at Pineville, La.
