Brazil by H. S. PRENER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Aug 12, 1909

Brazil

By H. S. PRENER

We came to Sao Paulo the first of April. The city is cosmopolitan, progressive, and resembles many of our large American cities. It is situated on a high plateau, approached from the coast by climbing a steep mountain range. Although we are not far from Rio de Janeiro, the altitude makes this city more agreeable.

My methods of labor among the Brazilians are the same as those used at home with the Family Bible Teacher. The special number of our large monthly magazine, with a cardboard cover and printed invitation, is used on the first visit. Other numbers are loaned on the succeeding weeks, and the first are kept in circulation. This plan is also being followed in Rio de Janeiro.

Sao Paulo is a large city, yet up to a few months ago it did not have a representative of our message. Our native canvasser, who is nobly assisting, found two—a man and woman—in the same section of the city, about a mile apart, keeping the Sabbath. The man had been a Sabbath-keeper for more than four years, and both had begun its observance from individual study of the Bible. Surely this is most encouraging—only a week in the field, and the Lord reveals two Sabbath-keepers. Other striking incidents prove that we are being led by an unseen hand; and the knowledge of being where God wants us to be, is truly comforting.

We have made our home in the vicinity of these interested people, and purpose following up this splendid opening. House-to-house work in a Catholic community is not easy, but it is the only all-successful method of working large cities the world over. We are laboring for a young Brazilian civil engineer, who calls at our home daily for Bible study and English.

Our central school at Sao Bernardo, our Brazilian headquarters, will soon be open. Elder John Lipke, the principal, will take the young men into our city every week to sell books and periodicals. We look forward eagerly to this; and as fishers of men, rejoice in the opportunities that lie before us to seek out honest, sincere hearts among this great Catholic multitude.

H. S. PRENER.