Spain by Frank S. Bond

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

Spain

By Frank S. Bond

FRANK S. BOND

On May 22 King Alfonso XIII arrived in the city of Valencia. His object in coming here at this time was to assist in the inauguration of a great six-months' exposition which has just opened.

For several months, extensive preparations have been going on. The city authorities gave orders that all property holders might paint their houses without securing licenses from the municipal body. As a result of this order, a remarkable cleaning-up has taken place. Hundreds of houses which before presented anything but a pleasing aspect, are to-day fairly shining in their new and charming coats of paint.

The exposition was to have opened May 1; but at that time many of the buildings to be used were unfinished. Then it was decided to open May 18; but for a number of days prior to this, heavy rains fell, making the exposition grounds and the streets of the city very muddy, so it was again decided to postpone the king's coming.

There are many to-day who profess to be followers of God's Word, and yet are endeavoring to put off far in the future the coming of the Son of man. It was possible for the citizens of Valencia to send a message to Madrid, asking the king to postpone his coming, because of the mud. There are many who would, were it possible, send a hold-over message to the throne of God. But to the prayers of such God does not listen. They are out of harmony with the law which governs his eternal kingdom, and to him the petitions of such are an abomination. Prov. 28: 9. “For yet a little while, and he that shall come, and will not tarry.” Heb. 10: 37.

When the gospel work is finished, King Jesus will come, and all the forces of evil combined can not delay his coming.

Only a beginning has been made in Spain, and thus far only a little fruit has developed. These people are thoroughly steeped in the superstitions of Romanism, and it is with difficulty that God's Word can enter their lives. My brother and I are doing what we can to get the message before the people. Our native helpers have distributed thousands of papers and tracts. We believe that if we continue sowing, we shall in the end see an abundant harvest.

The worker in this country meets with many difficulties, and especially is this true of the colporteur. Spain is a very mountainous country, and in some parts many of the inhabitants have never seen a cart or wagon, much less a railway train. The eighth of this month [May] I had the privilege of baptizing a young man in just such a place as this. Only to-day I received a letter from this brother, and I am sure it would do your heart good to see how intelligent he is in the message, and how determined he is to be faithful. We rejoice to see the truth gradually entering the dark, out-of-the-way places of earth. Soon the words of the Saviour in Matt. 24: 14 will meet their final fulfilment.

While at the place previously mentioned, I went on a tour with one of our canvassers, into the province of Castellon. Our journey lay through wild and rocky mountains. Much of the trail is very steep, and we were ascending and descending the greater part of two days. We traveled on foot and by the “burro express.” For the two of us, we had one burro, and we took turns riding him. In the accompanying picture the writer is at the right, and Brother Salvador Iserte is at the left. We thought a great deal of our long-eared companion. He was a faithful, sure-footed little fellow, and brought us safely to our journey's end.

If any of our American canvassers who are accustomed to traveling by express-trains feel that they would like to share our joys, we would give them a welcome to this field. We can offer an abundance of populous territory which has never had any of our literature.

Valencia.