North Brazil Mission by F. W. SPIES

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 30, 1908

North Brazil Mission

By F. W. SPIES

“The Lord Is Pleading”

F. W. SPIES

It is true that Catholics are in great darkness, but when they have come to the point to study the Bible, they accept its teachings more readily than many of those who for years have had the privilege of studying its pages, and who, too often, instead of accepting the Bible as their teacher, place themselves above it as a judge to decide what it means, or what it ought to mean.

So with our recent converts who were Catholics. When they had settled the question that the Bible is God’s Word, a revelation of his will to man, that it is our rule of action, and that as such it must be obeyed, there was no question whatever about Sabbath observance, the coming of the Lord, or other truths and duties, which the Bible teaches. When the Lord in his Word had said a thing, that settled it with them.

Recently one of these new converts from Catholicism, an aged brother who can not even read very well, had occasion to visit a leading member of one of the Protestant churches in Nichteroy, who invited him to attend their services. Our brother asked when their services were held, and was informed that they were held on Sunday morning. To this he replied: “What a pity! We keep the Sabbath and meet on the day the Lord sanctified and blessed, and of which he said we should keep it holy.” Thereupon the Sunday-keeper, knowing that our brother was new in the faith, tried to confuse him by saying many things intended to depreciate the Sabbath in his estimation. But the latter replied: “I am very sorry for you! The Lord says that we should keep holy his Sabbath day, and he beseeches us so much to obey him. I am so sorry that you, who want to be a child of God, and who claim to follow his Word, are not willing to obey the Lord, because he pleads so much that we should keep holy the Sabbath.”

This Sunday-keeper afterward confessed that the simple, yet earnest and fervent manner in which the aged brother spoke, made a strong impression on him. He did not present any labored argument, but simply told in a child-like way some truths which the other could not gainsay or readily forget.

These experiences certainly encourage us in our work, and they reveal that the word of God is indeed sharper than any two-edged sword, and that if we only let it, it cuts its way to the heart. People may not always yield to it, yet in that day they will be without excuse, for such can not then say, “Nobody ever has told me before.” Every one who has thus heard the message in a simple, yet fervent and decided way, will at that time, if he has not obeyed it, have his mouth stopped, and will find himself guilty before God. Let us therefore take courage and “preach the word.” It must win its way. The Lord will give his Spirit to all who want to obey it, and they shall “know of the doctrine.” Higher Criticism may deny the authenticity of the Word, may deny its inspiration, but every one instructed by the Spirit will know, and will find the goal of honest hearts, in spite of a thousand winds of doctrine that may be blowing.

“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might,” and “preach the word.”

Rio de Janeiro.