First Experiences in Salvador by John L. Brown

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 16, 1916

First Experiences in Salvador

By John L. Brown

JOHN L. BROWN

It is a great comfort to the gospel messengers when they arrive in an unentered mission field to find that God has gone before them, and that earnest hearts have prayed for their coming. At such times the workers’ hearts overflow with joy and thanksgiving.

Shortly after arriving in San Salvador it was our privilege to become acquainted with the pastor of the Baptist church. He had studied his Bible prayerfully, and had become convinced that the churches of today are not following Christ in precept and practice. He had separated from the Roman Catholic Church, with the hope of finding the straight and narrow way. He first joined a body of Protestant people who claimed to take the Bible, and the Bible only, as the foundation of their church creed; but to his surprise, they said he must be resprinkled in order to belong to their church. This set him searching the Scriptures further, and he found that he must die to sin, and be buried with Christ in baptism. He was therefore baptized by immersion, and united with the Baptist Church.

While serving the Baptist Mission he continued his earnest Bible study, and it was not long until the Holy Spirit led him to further light. He saw that the practices of his church in regard to the fourth commandment are not in harmony with the teachings of Christ. For a long time he prayed that some one would come to Salvador who would teach and live the whole Bible truth.

When he visited us first, it was for the purpose of telling us that we were wrong in teaching Adventist doctrines, as he had been informed by his mission director and by tracts and books from the same source. But after two hours’ study he changed his mind. He said, “I have been misinformed concerning you, and now I see that my prayers are answered, for I have found a people who take the Bible as their only guide.” He realized that his prayers had been answered, while we experienced God’s direction in bringing us here.

Another case will serve to illustrate God’s care for his faithful followers. One of the very first converts from the Roman Church to the first Protestant church of Salvador gave her experience in one of our testimony meetings as follows:—

“Long before the Baptist missionaries came to Salvador, I saw that my church was not living up to all the light of the Bible. I prayed earnestly that some one would come here to establish a better work. My prayer was answered when the Baptist workers were sent. But the Lord again showed me by his Word that the true people of God must have a sign, or mark. That sign I found to be the Sabbath, the seventh day. Over three years ago I began to keep the Sabbath. My pastor worked hard to get me to leave such ‘Jewish customs,’ but I was too deeply set in my conviction of Bible truth. I would not be moved. I began to pray that God would send some one here to teach the truth, or to raise up some people for himself in this country. Today I thank the Lord for these workers that he has sent here in answer to my prayers.” This dear old sister is happy for having found God’s people who have the “sign” and the faith of Jesus. She did not know that God had such a people waiting for Christ’s return.

Another Bible worker of Salvador had prayed for more than a year for more light on Bible subjects. When I visited her for the first time, she said to her daughter, “Our prayers are answered. God has sent this brother here with new light. Let us thank God for his goodness .” Both she and her daughter are now rejoicing in the new-found light, and are faithful Sabbath keepers.

Photo by G. A. Wiles, in Bible in the World.
A Testament that saved a soldier's life.
Note the verse pierced by the bullet. — Photo by G. A. Wiles, in Bible in the World. A Testament that saved a soldier's life. Note the verse pierced by the bullet.

In a recent visit to the next largest city in this republic, in the interest of the colporteur work, I met a lady who told me that she thanked God for my visit. She continued: “Some years ago I had a precious experience in the Lord. I read in the Bible that the people of God ought to keep the Sabbath, not Sunday. I began to fast, to pray earnestly, and to keep the Sabbath. The pastor of my church reproved me and made fun of me for being so foolish and Jewish. I became discouraged after a time, and returned to Sunday keeping. But, let me tell you, I have never experienced such a blessing and happiness as I did while I kept God’s day.” We are praying earnestly for this family, and hope to encourage them to return to the way of true happiness and rich blessing.

Other families in the same city are much interested in God’s Word, and some are now at the parting of the ways. I am visiting these interested ones as often as my time permits. We feel sure that God has prepared the way, for honest hearts have prayed for light and help.

I wish I might tell you of other interesting experiences of people who have come to us from other towns, far and near, to inquire about our work. Even in this little, forgotten republic God’s Holy Spirit has been at work on the hearts of the people, leading them to accept his truth, and prayers have been offered to God that workers might be sent here to preach the message for this time. Now our hearts are full of joy because we are here in this neglected corner of God’s vineyard, to search out the honest in heart. We ask an interest in the prayers of God’s people for the finishing of the work in Salvador.