North Brazil Mission by JOHN LIPKE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 4, 1910

North Brazil Mission

By JOHN LIPKE

JOHN LIPKE

The harvest is great, but where are the laborers? This we can truly say of our large field. Many calls from interested persons come to us, but we are not able to answer because we lack laborers. Our mission consists of one part of the state of Minas Geraes, the state of Bahia, and all the states north of this,—a very large territory with only one ordained minister. Think of it! I will give you some facts in order to show you how needy we are:—

The State of Bahia

The work in this state was begun by a Brazilian who, by reading the Bible, became convinced that he should keep the commandments, observe the Sabbath, and be baptized. He began to keep the Sabbath, thinking there was no one else in the world who kept it. He talked and preached about what he had learned from the Bible, and the result was that others accepted the truth. When Brother F. W. Spies finally visited them, he found five persons ready to receive baptism.

One man, a sergeant, had heard our brother speak about the truth, and had received some literature from him. Later this sergeant went far into the interior of the state of Bahia. There he spoke to some of his friends about the Sabbath, and gave them copies of the Arauto da Verdad (Herald of Truth). An interest was aroused, and one man began to keep the Sabbath. This man wrote to the brother, who provided him with more literature for others, and now three more are keeping the Sabbath. These four and many other interested ones are waiting for a minister to come and instruct them in the truth and baptize them. The brother who first accepted the truth wrote that every month for a whole year, at the time when the steamers were due, he sent a man with animals a day’s journey, expecting a minister to come, but none came. Brother E. Schwantes started once, but could not get a steamer, and had to return. The people desire to obey, but they have no teacher. A

minister ought to go there as soon as possible to harvest the ripe grain. He would have to travel from the city of Bahia two days by train, fifteen days by steamer, and one day on horseback.

In Jeguie, a town of Bahia, there is a church whose members have shown an interest in the truth. This interest was aroused by one of our brethren who wrote articles on the Sabbath question for one of the papers. After the people had read these articles, they became convinced, and began to keep the Sabbath; but as no one could visit them to establish them in the truth, they lost their hold again. This church ought to be visited by a minister of the gospel.

In Margem Grande, Olho d’Agoa, Arreias, and near Ilheos are interested persons. At Peruype, where Brother Schwantes held meetings, one hundred have declared themselves ready to obey. If we had some one to labor there, for a time, souls would be gathered. At the capital, where the writer lives, we must by all means work.

Is not this large state of Bahia, with its 236,666 square miles, too much for one minister?

The State of Alagoas

We have a work at Maceio, the capital of the state of Alagoas. One of the members of the Rio de Janeiro church, a government nurse, was sent from there to the city of Maceio. He began to speak about the truth to others, and soon souls were interested. Brother Spies worked there for a time, and a number were baptized. A public effort was made later, and others took their stand. Not long ago we received word that four others are ready for baptism. We ought to have one laborer for the state of Alagoas, who could build up the work.

The State of Pernambuco

I wish to tell you of an interest at Recife, the capital of Pernambuco. One of our brethren moved from Bahia to Pernambuco, to make that state the center of his business operations. Soon he became acquainted with some Protestants, who came to him for instruction. Sabbath after Sabbath the number of interested ones grew until he had on Sabbath at his house a regular attendance of about thirty persons. He wrote for a minister to come and finish the work, and the writer is now in Recife, expecting to baptize the believers and organize a church. Though not yet members, some are already paying tithe.

News of this movement has spread into the interior of the state, and at three different places there are more than thirty interested persons who ought to be instructed. One is an employed local minister. We ought to have a worker to stay right here in Pernambuco. If I could divide myself into several parts, so as to do the work that is needed, I would be glad to do so.

The Lord is working, souls in need are calling for help, and many of our brethren in the United States have means to divide with this so long neglected field. There are some conferences with many laborers who could surely spare us a few. It is true that Brazil is a hard place to work, on account of the climate and many inconveniences; but we have been here now for more than twelve years, and are still able to work. Why can not you, strong young men whom the Lord has called to do his work, lay yourselves on the altar for service? Leave your good homes and the many comforts you have in the United States, and come over to Brazil and help us. The harvest is great, and the laborers are few. If you were in my place, you would understand why I so earnestly appeal to you for help. We are in need; and if I could, I would write this appeal in your hearts with a pen of fire.

The Baptists and Presbyterians have missionaries in almost all the states of north Brazil, who labor with success for the Brazilians, and have built up some good churches. Can not we do the same?—Certainly we can. Give us men and means, and with the help of God we will plant the standard of our Lord Jesus in these states.

We are glad that two of our members from Pernambuco expect to move to the state of Amazonas. They will be witnesses in the “farthest north” of Brazil.

The States of Maranhao and Ceara

These are two states north of the state of Pernambuco from which our pioneer canvasser has lately returned. He reports good sales, and interested ones in Sao Luiz, the capital of Maranhao, and in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceara. A minister ought to locate in Ceara.

I plead with you to send us the needed help in men and means. This large field, with its many interests, is too much for one man. He may break down under the burden, and there is no one ready in the field to take it up again.

Sao Paulo.