A Visit to Mucury, Brazil
By F. W. Spies
AFTER being deterred again and again, I could finally, on the fourth of December, embark for a trip to Mucury where the brethren had not had a ministerial visit for two years and seven months. This was my first field of labor after coming to Brazil. I had not had the pleasure of visiting it for more than nine years. After a pleasant voyage, we reached Ponta d’Areia December 8. Here the past nine years had wrought no noticeable change. On the morning of the tenth I boarded the train that runs to Theophilo Ottoni every five days, near which city our Mucury church is located. I went as far as Peruhype, where Sister Post, with some of the members of her family, has for a number of years been faithfully holding up the light. In this place I stayed five days, or until the next train, then went to Theophilo Ottoni. On the way there the experiences of former days were repeated. We had not gone far on the second day when the front truck of one of our baggage-cars jumped the track. It was, however, quickly gotten on again. To avoid a repetition of such an accident, the already slow pace was reduced still more, and without further mishap we arrived at our destination nation, although three hours behind time. My stay of three weeks was much appreciated. I found that the nine years with their cares had left the traces of age on the faces of some of the older members. I also found a number of new homes, as some of the young people had settled down to take up life’s cares and responsibilities. I was pleased to see a substantially built schoolhouse, with additional dwelling for teacher, but was sorry they had no teacher to instruct their children. Schools are our great need here. Our young people need very much to learn the rudiments of education, in order to be fitted later for the Lord’s work. We had a series of meetings for the youth, and seven young people gave their hearts to the Lord, and decided to walk in his ways. These seven, with an adult sister, were baptized, and united with the church. These German brethren were glad they could invite their native friends in to hear the truths of the gospel sung and preached in their own tongue, and a good interest was manifested on the part of those who came. The brethren thought the three weeks had passed very rapidly, and wished I might remain longer. But with the work to be done in Rio, and in view of the fact that the union conference meeting was soon to convene, this was impossible. Here, as elsewhere, if we had some one who could remain and labor among the Brazilians, no doubt a good work could be done. On the last Sabbath of my stay18we had a blessed time together, celebrating the Lord’s supper. May the Lord strengthen his children here to do his will, and to remain faithful until Jesus comes. I am now on my way home. From about one to five o’clock this morning, ships of the United States squadron which is now on its way to the Pacific Ocean sailed along with our steamer. Then as day broke, they left us behind, and will probably arrive in the Rio harbor a few hours in advance of us. As I considered the vast capital employed in these war boats, and thought of the fifteen thousand men on board, and as I remembered the descriptions given in God’s Word of the battle of the last great day, I could but shudder; but I thought how blessed it will be when all is over, and war shall be no more. While the evil one is marshaling his forces, it becomes us to be wide-awake and doing the Lord’s business.