p. 18 | Mexico by G. W. Caviness

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 11, 1909

Mexico

By G. W. Caviness

SALINA CRUZ.—In September, 1907, one of our colporteurs passed through the village of Salina Cruz, which is at the southern end of the Tehuantepec Railroad, on the Pacific Ocean. This colporteur took a subscription for our Spanish paper from a young Spaniard working on the government works in that port. He also sold him a few tracts. The man read them; became convinced, and kept the very next Sabbath. He then went to work to teach the truth to others. The men working on the harbor improvements there usually had an hour and a half for their dinner; and many of them, as is the custom throughout Mexico, had their dinner brought to them, and sat down beside the works to eat. This brother would eat his dinner quickly, and then read the Bible and explain the truth to the others who were still sitting around. Then he would invite them to meet with him at his house in the evening after their work was over, and there again would study with them the truths of the Bible. After a few months this brother wrote us that he was keeping the Sabbath, and had a company of about twenty others with him. Some months later Dr. W. S. Swayze visited the company, and brought a favorable report of them and of the conditions for advance work in that part of the field. At the annual meeting in November we invited this brother to meet with us, that we might see him, become better acquainted with him, and learn of his ability and desires for future work. He impressed us all as being a very earnest man, and we decided to employ him in our work here in Mexico.

In December it was my privilege to visit the place, and spend some three weeks. I gave them quite a thorough course of instruction in our doctrines and the prophecies of the Bible, and at the last meeting I ordained the young Spaniard elder of the company. So we now have an organized church, with twenty-two members, in Salina Cruz. These brethren are, many of them, pure Indians. They speak a language of their own, called Zapoteca, and I understood from them that there are quite a number of these Indians all over the Isthmus in that part of Mexico. They understand Spanish, and it is in general use for all business purposes; but in their families and in private conversation they use their native language. The conditions in this part of the republic are very primitive. Being in the hot lands, the white or foreign people have not visited them much. Indeed, even the Catholic Church has not done much in that part; and so we find that the aboriginal Indians who have had least connection with the Catholic Church are in a very much better state morally than many where the church has had full sway for hundreds of years.

Two young men from the congregation there have entered the canvassing work. At first they had quite good success, but lately have met with more difficulties. We hope, with further instructions and help, they will develop into good workers. We are glad, indeed, to see how the Lord is working in this country.

Here at Salina Cruz, a few tracts and our paper left in the hands of one man, resulted in the establishing of a church of over twenty members, and all this was accomplished before we knew anything about it. The only thing we had to do was to visit the brethren and confirm the work.

We have recently heard of another company of fourteen in another part; but have not as yet come into direct connection with them.

I am also in receipt of various letters from men who say they are convinced of the truth and are ready to join us, and as soon as possible I hope to visit some of these, and see what the conditions are.

It seems that the time has come for the work to go on in Mexico. Some of the seeds of truth that have been sown are springing up. We thank the Lord and take courage, and are determined to press forward in the work. Remember at the throne of grace the work and workers in this difficult field.

G. W. CAVINESS.