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An Interesting Experience in Brazil

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jan 2, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 1.

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An Interesting Experience in Brazil

By F. W. SPIES

F. W. SPIES
The first Sabbath-keeper in Bahia, like other natives, was born and reared a Roman Catholic. Many years ago he read the ten commandments in a Bible that by some means fell into his hands for a few minutes. Although reading this only once, the fourth commandment made a strong impression on his mind, and he wondered that people kept Domingo (the Portuguese word for the first day of the week) while the commandment required people to keep Sabbado. (In the Portuguese language the seventh day of the week has the Scriptural name Sabbado, or Sabbath.)
GOVERNMENT BUILDING, CITY OF BAHIA
GOVERNMENT BUILDING, CITY OF BAHIA
Later on, he became interested in the study of Spiritualism, but never believed its main teachings, such as the possibility of communicating with the dead. About this time the Baptists tried to win him to their views, and among other things recommended him to read 1 Corinthians 15. As he was reading the last part of this chapter, the great truth flashed through his mind that sin, which is the transgression of the law, is the cause of all the world's ills, and along with this was presented to him the duty of keeping the Sabbath, although in that chapter the Sabbath is not mentioned, and he had not had his attention called to it by any one, aside from having once read the fourth commandment years ago. He resolved at once to obey the commandment. This was in June, 1904; but although he had accepted for himself the Sabbath truth and tried to show it to his family, he had no knowledge that the Sabbath was being kept by others, supposing that he was the only one in the world who was keeping it, aside from the Jews. What was therefore his surprise and joy to learn, a few months later, that there was a people keeping the Sabbath; and at once he began to correspond with them. This brother has since labored here, and as a result of his labors several others have accepted the truth.
This shows how true is the promise of the Lord that his word shall not return to him empty, but shall accomplish that for which he sends it. It also reveals that the Lord is working on hearts by his Spirit, and that he is getting ready to finish his work quickly. May all his people consecrate themselves to him, so that he can work through them with power to carry the message to the ends of the earth.
Bahia, Brazil.