p. 18 | Brazil by F. W. Spies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 7, 1908

Brazil

By F. W. Spies

RIO DE JANEIRO.—Although we can see from year to year that the people at this nation's capital are growing more hardened and less impressible by the Holy Spirit, we are nevertheless encouraged in our work by seeing now and then a few become obedient to the truth, and follow their Lord in baptism. These baptismal occasions are times of rejoicing to the little church here. So far this year we have had two such occasions of encouragement, one on January 25, at which time five souls were buried with their Lord, and another on February 8, when four more were led down into the watery grave.

Our method of working has been generally to offer for sale from house to house our Portuguese journal, O Arauto da Verdade, thus trying to find the interested ones. But how few care to purchase a second and a third paper! Still, as we read the Lord's description, as given in Matt. 24:37-39, of these last

days, and as we then think of faithful Noah, preaching and exhorting the people to repent during one hundred twenty long years, with none outside his own family at the very last to go in with him into the ark, we feel we have no reason to complain, but rather seek to redouble our efforts while there are still a few who will listen; for the time is coming when we also shall find none who care to hear the precious, saving truth.

History is also being made rapidly here in Brazil. Recently a law has been passed which makes military service compulsory on all male citizens who reach the age of twenty-one years. And as reserves they can be called upon up to their fortieth year. Steps are being taken to put this law in force as far as practicable on and after Jan. 1, 1909.

There is also a bill for a proposed Sunday law now pending before congress, which, if it becomes a law, will be surpassed in its stringent character by very few existing Sunday laws. As we view these things in the light of the sure word of prophecy, they represent to us the forerunners of the coming storm, and we daily feel the need of building more firmly on the sure foundation, so that when the floods and storms of persecution and trial beat heavier and still heavier upon God's people here in Brazil, these very storms may then reveal that their building has been reared upon the sure Rock, Christ Jesus.

The United States squadron, while passing on its way to the Pacific, spent eleven days at Rio, and was received with great honors. As far as I could learn, officers and men left Brazil with a good impression of this country. As I looked upon those stately war-ships and thought of the future, I wondered what would be their fate. Indeed we who have and know the truth ought to prize it more and more. May we be sanctified through it.

F. W. SPIES.