I LEFT home October 8 in company with one of my former students, to make a trip into the interior of our state by wagon. Our wagon, or cart, is pulled by three strong mules. On good roads such as are found in the States and in Germany, we would not need three mules. But here in Brazil we have to pass over roads that are seldom if ever repaired. We carry our saddles with us. When we get into territory where we find only mule paths, where no wagon can pass, we leave the wagon in a safe place, and go on muleback.
STARTING FOR THE INTERIOR OF BRAZIL
The first day was very unpleasant for us on account of the rain and the bad roads. We were disappointed not to be able to reach the place of our destination in time. On Sunday we came to our brethren in the colony of Candelaria, where are a few who seem to be doing well. About ten months had passed since a minister had visited them. One of the former students of our Taquary school, is teaching there, but earns very little money. She has been a great help in various ways. The next Sabbath we baptized six souls at Rio Pardense, and organized a church of twenty-five members at Candelaria. We hope more souls will be added in the near future. In a little more than two days we made the trip from there to the colony of Sao Angelo, where we visited our scattered German brethren. The following Sabbath we celebrated the ordinances with them. The next visit we paid to our brethren at the colony of Sao Miguel. Here we heard of an interest among the Brazilians, which one of our German brethren had created by circulating literature and making visits. News that reached me here made it necessary to leave the brethren the next morning to go to Sao Miguel to follow up the interest. At Sta. Maria I took the train for the colony of Sao Pedro, where Brother Brack had labored for some time without much result. The existing prejudice caused by the work of some unscrupulous men has hindered greatly. But we were glad to find one soul with courage to go forward, who seems to be converted. A change noted by all is seen in the life of this man. We hope in time to find souls in this place willing to follow the truth.
On muleback I returned to Sta. Maria, where I took the train for Cruz Alta. Six hours' ride in a farm wagon brought me to our brethren in the colony of Ijuhy, where we had baptism and celebrated the ordinances. The brethren there are anxious to have a school. They had decided to build a schoolhouse. I promised to see that they have a teacher by the time their house is ready.
After another trip by train, wagon, and horseback, I arrived at Naometoque, a German colony far in the interior. Here we have a church of eighty members, composed of Brazilians and Germans. This is a wide-awake church. It did my soul good to remain a few days with them. The meetings we held there were blessed by the presence of the Spirit of God. I could stay only a few days. After a trip of about four days by wagon, train, and steamer, I reached home again, having been absent six weeks. Three days and a half I could stay at home to do the necessary conference work; only a little time each day I could spend with my family. The work in the field must be done.
The following Sabbath I spent with the brethren at Taquary, where I baptized five souls and celebrated the ordinances with them. At this place we had a local conference last year, which was the beginning of a good work, as gradually souls came into the truth. The Lord seems to work there in a special manner. Some of the inhabitants wish to have a good German school. One of our young men who recently came from Germany is going to open a school. Prominent men will send their children. We hope the school will be the means of converting souls to the truth. We rejoice to see that the work in our state is constantly progressing, and we hope for greater results in the future.
