The Santa Catharina (Brazil) Annual Conference by F. W. Spies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 8, 1913

The Santa Catharina (Brazil) Annual Conference

By F. W. Spies

The eighth annual session of the Santa Catharina Conference was held at Joinville from January 28 to February 1. A spacious, convenient hall, situated in a pleasant garden in the midst of trees, was indeed an ideal place for such a meeting. Joinville being somewhat to one side of the state, the attendance was not so large as at other times. Still about fifty-five of our brethren from different parts of the state assembled, and these, along with the Joinville church of about thirty members, made a fair meeting.

The result of the year's work showed forty baptized. But in consequence of emigration, death, and a cleaning up of the church records, sixty-two names were dropped, causing the actual membership to be twenty-three below what was reported last year. It seemed too bad that the conference had lost almost an entire church (thirty-three members), one of the best it had, by emigration.

The conference was a season of much blessing to our people. Especially were the Sabbath services a time of seeking the Lord and of consecration to him, and we trust that lasting victories were gained. One hour each day was devoted to the answering of written questions previously handed in. It was required, however, that each question bear the signature of the questioner in order to insure an answer.

The conference president, Elder F. R. Kuempel, and the writer, were the only ministers present, so we were both kept very busy during the days of the conference. Although the finances of the conference for 1912 fell a little behind the year 1911, still the brethren voted to give a second tithe to the union, believing that if greater faithfulness is shown on the part of our people, this amount will be more than made up to the conference treasury.

One worker, a licentiate, withdrew from the work, and the brethren of Santa Catharina now ask that another worker be sent them in his place. The Joinville public manifested a deep interest in the evening meetings, for the most part listening attentively to the special truths relating to our time. All the business of the conference was transacted harmoniously, and all the officers of last year were reelected. May the Lord abundantly bless the efforts of workers and people as during the coming conference year they endeavor to hasten the day of his appearing.

I am now en route to the Rio Grande do Sul conference, which is to be held in Porto Alegre again, and which is the last of the Brazilian conferences for 1913. May the Lord also make it a rich blessing to his people!

F. W. Spies.