Spain by Frank S. Bond

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 16, 1908

_Spain_

By Frank S. Bond

VALENCIA.—In a recent REVIEW I noticed that another Spanish-speaking field, Guatemala, has been definitely entered by our people. The ever-increasing velocity of this great forward movement is very apparent, and we are truly thankful for a part in it.

We are glad to report progress in Spain. It was in the latter part of March that we succeeded, after a number of weeks' searching, in finding a hall in which to conduct a series of meetings. This is the first public effort we have made in the city of Valencia. April 17 only my brother Walter, with his family, came to assist us. Our meetings began the evening of April 8; since then we have conducted five night meetings and one on Sabbath each week. The attendance has been good from the beginning, the average being about one hundred. It is true that many of those who attend come just to pass the time away, and a number of them are of the very unruly element; but there are also a goodly number who attend regularly, and listen with interest to the truths presented.

Thus far I think we are safe in counting on eight new adult members. Most of these have now kept two or three Sabbaths. There are several others who manifest much interest in the message, and may yet take their stand with God's remnant people. Two young ladies who are among those who have begun to keep the Sabbath, are meeting with opposition, but we trust they will remain steadfast. One of these works in a dressmaking establishment. Two weeks ago Sabbath morning she told her mother she was not going to work that day. The mother urged her, but she responded, “I am not going to work on the Sabbath, or drink wine.”

We are thankful to find now and then a little of the same kind of material that existed in Spain during the Reformation. The very flower of this nation was at that time martyred because of its fidelity to God's truth.

Thus far we have given two health and temperance lectures, which apparently were well received. We find that it is important in this country to vigorously exercise the “right arm” of the message. We are anxiously awaiting the day when additional help, in the way of preachers and Bible workers, may be sent into this field. It seems to us almost as difficult a problem really to make this truth known to twenty million Spaniards, who are steeped in the darkest superstition of Romanism, as it is to make it known to several times that number in China or India. Remember the work in Spain before the throne of grace. FRANK S. BOND.