General Meeting in the Sao Paulo (Brazil) Mission by J. W. WESTPHAL

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

General Meeting in the Sao Paulo (Brazil) Mission

By J. W. WESTPHAL

THE first general meeting in the Sao Paulo mission was held at Rio Claro, May 16, 17. While short and small, only a few more than the Rio Claro church being present, it was an excellent meeting, and was a strength to the believers. Elder Emilio Hoelzle, Elder F. W. Spies, and the writer were present. One person who had been interested for some time decided that he would now obey.

It is two years since this mission was separated from the other fields, with Brother Hoelzle as superintendent. He had no other laborer to assist him in the work. Up to the close of last year he had been editor of the missionary paper, Arauto da Verdade, and had done other translating work, so that he had not been able to devote much of his time to aggressive field work. Yet the report showed some growth. Soon after taking charge of the field, he organized the first church. Since then the Sao Bernardo church has been organized, composed largely of the brethren who came there to be connected with the publishing and tract society work. The Itarare church, and another company, although within Sao Paulo territory, belonged to the Santa Catharina-Parana Conference until recently. The mission now has four churches and one company, with a membership of over ninety. Up to the close of last year ten were baptized. Since the beginning of 1908 eleven were baptized, and twelve others have begun to keep the Sabbath. Through the efforts of Brother Stauffer while canvassing, and of some others, there appears to be an interest in various places that calls for help.

Sao Paulo is one of the most important states in Brazil, and it is important that our work become firmly established in that field.

J. W. WESTPHAL.