Portugal by C. E. Rentfro

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 27, 1908

Portugal

By C. E. Rentfro

Not long ago a brother wrote two articles on the Sabbath question, which were published in three numbers of a daily paper. These were called forth by the law of weekly rest. Each county had a right to choose its day of weekly rest. Every day in the week was chosen in the different parts, for convenience of commerce in those localities. One place near Porto chose Saturday. So the brother wrote, calling attention to this fact, and spoke of the true day of rest. This paper had a very large circulation, but now it, too, is suspended.

Last year a Bible colporteur was selling Bibles in a certain village, and by the priest was brought before the tribunal. The Bibles were confiscated, and the seller was imprisoned. After a long time, hard work, and much patience, the Society got the case before the highest court here in Lisbon, which revoked the sentence.

The decision of the court in this case reads as follows:—

“Lisbon, Oct. 19, 1907, in the adjudged crime No. 1911, defendant Joseph Alexander—plaintiff Attorney of the State.

“It is recited: ‘That the defendant, Joseph Alexander, was sentenced under the 130th Article of the Penal Code, for selling books of the evangelical Protestant religion, called Bibles.

“1. Because the so-called ‘Protestant Bible’ does not contain any word or passage that is not encountered textually in the Catholic Bible, and therefore manifestly there is not, nor can there be in the Protestant Bible, doctrine contrary to the Catholic dogmas.

“2. Because the indicted, Joseph Alexander, was nothing more than a simple traveling salesman of books; it can not be presumed, therefore, that there was intention of propagation, contrary to the Catholic dogmas, or attempts of proselytism or conversion to a different religion or sect reproved by the church.

“3. Because, the Protestant religion being permitted in Portugal, in the terms of Article 5 of the Constitutional Charter, the sale and acquisition of the respective books necessary to those who profess the same religion, can not be prohibited; there even being in the kingdom a very old agency or branch house of the British and Foreign Bible Society, with headquarters in England, and office in Lisbon, Rua das Janellas Verdes 32, a branch house which prints and sells these books, and of which the indicted Joseph Alexander was agent.

“4. Because it is declared in the Constitutional Charter, Article 145, paragraph 4, that no one can be persecuted for motive of religion, once he respects that of the state, and does not offend

public morals; and there was not in the terms that are exhibited any offense to the state religion, or to public morals, it being even to be desired that, following the example of the Protestants, the Catholics might disseminate their Bibles in perfect editions, and at little cost, as generally it is the Protestant Bibles which are used by the Catholics and the studious, as is known, for want of Catholic Bibles.

“The judgment pronounced is therefore revoked, and it is commanded that the judge substitute for it another, in which he may order the process dismissed for want of crime.”

I consider this a sign of a better future, or at least that the country is opening up to the Word of God.

A sergeant in the army is very much interested in the Word. He was on duty, while yet a corporal, in the parliament building where I went to purchase stamps. Overhearing a conversation I had with the operator in the telegraph office, he began asking questions. I invited him to see me. He bought a Bible, continuing to come to meeting when not in service. He has given up smoking, and desires to keep the Sabbath, but is afraid of being shot for disobedience. We ask the prayers of God's people in his behalf. He is the first Portuguese soldier to inquire into the truth. May he have faith to walk out and enlist in the army of King Emmanuel.

C. E. RENTFRO.