Portugal by C. E. Rentfro

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 23, 1908

Portugal

By C. E. Rentfro

Four times a week I go to Lisbon for meetings, and often on other days, to visit and give Bible readings. I was obliged to leave a fair interest, to go to Oporto to help Elder E. Schwantes, and this interest must be picked up again. Elder Schwantes has a good attendance now.

A year ago I went up to Oporto, and one day, while out helping the colporteur we called at a place where a man manifested a desire to buy a Bible. We sold him a sixty-cent Bible. I took his address, and wrote him a letter about the Bible, how to study it, etc. He replied, and we kept up correspondence for a time. Now he has bought all our books in Portuguese, and a prophetic chart, which hangs on his wall, a wonder to his visitors. He is a mail-carrier, but, on account of rheumatism, is on the sick list, yet receives his wages. Two weeks ago we organized a Sabbath-school in his home. His wife keeps the Sabbath, and he will do so, at least until he may be called to service again. We pray that he may be strengthened to stand fully for the truth.

A friend here in Lisbon told me he had heard of the Sabbath question about fifteen years ago. He said a Spaniard was here selling tracts on Sunday. This man asked him why he did so. The reply was that the others were wrong, in keeping Sunday, and he kept the right day. This gave my friend a shock, and now he affirms that the Sabbath is the true day to be kept. Whether or not he will keep it, remains to be seen.

We are earnestly endeavoring to win ten to the standard of the truth before camp-meeting. In the past we prayed, “O, Lord give us at least one soul, or one more soul.” But now we have decided to eliminate the words “at least,” and are praying for a certain number. This appears a big thing to us, but to those a long way off it may seem small.

We thank all who had a part in getting us the money to pay for the organ.

We have had stirring times here. For a number of days I carried my passport and means for identifying myself in case of being stopped by the police for an examination of my person. It is against the law to carry knives. I usually carry my pocket-knife; but while doing so, if I had been examined, for some days no one would have heard of me. Nothing unpleasant happened to us, while hundreds were imprisoned for very trifling things. The news that passes the frontier is often far from true. We are in troublous times, in the days when unheard-of things are occurring. Men are waxing worse and worse. Yet a remnant will be saved. Surely some will enter the kingdom of God from this country.

C. E. RENTFRO.