p. 8 | Costa Rica by H. LOUIE MIGNOT

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 18, 1910

Costa Rica

By H. LOUIE MIGNOT

H. LOUIE MIGNOT

WE are indeed living in a grand yet awful time. We are living amid the perils of the last days, and the end of all earthly things is just before us. The unmistakable signs that point to the great and terrible day of the Lord are fulfilling in rapid succession on every hand through the length and breadth of the earth.

As a result of these signs and wonders, the hearts of the sons of men are failing them for fear. Says the prophet Isaiah, “Thou shalt be visited of the Lord of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.” Isa. 29:6. These visitations are called judgments; and the same prophet declared that when they are in the land, its inhabitants will learn righteousness. The earthquake is one of these signs.

While many cities of the nations have been visited by earthquakes, Costa Rica had until recently escaped. But the time of her visitation has come. Cartago, the birthplace of this republic, was laid in complete ruins by a shock of earthquake, which lasted twenty-two seconds, on the evening of May 4. The destruction of the city is complete; it is a wonder to every beholder. The city lies eighty-nine and one-half miles west of Puerto Limon, and twelve and one-half miles east of San Jose. It had between ten and eleven thousand inhabitants.

Among the general ruins are eight church buildings; an unfinished cathedral, with walls five feet thick, which had been under construction for thirty years; the large edifices belonging to the government, and many school buildings and colleges; also the peace temple that was erected by Mr. Carnegie.

The death list may run up to a thousand. Many bodies are still in the ruins. Six days after the disaster a number were taken out alive. As I walked over the ruins of the city, I thought of the general ruin of all the cities, as described by the prophets in Jer. 4:26, 27; Zeph. 3:6; Rev. 16:17-20.

The wounded from Cartago were taken to San Jose, where they are being cared for by doctors and nurses. Brother and Sister J. B. Stuyvesant have been able to assist in this work, and they find it an opportune time to present the truths of the third angel’s message.

The sudden destruction of Cartago ought to put into our hearts as a people more zeal and determination to send workers into the many unworked cities to give the warning message. It is time for us to heed the voice of God in the Testimonies, which urge us to labor earnestly in the cities for souls for whom Jesus has died. In these Spanish republics there are scores of other cities that need to hear God’s message of love and mercy.

Cristobal, Canal Zone.