The Portuguese Publishing Work in Brazil by James White

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 30, 1908

The Portuguese Publishing Work in Brazil

By James White

THE state of Sao Paulo is with one exception the most populous state of Brazil, the inhabitants numbering about two million five hundred seventy thousand. The city of Sao Paulo is the capital, having a population of some three hundred thousand. Two and one-half hours distant by train is Santos, its port, and the largest coffee port in the world, with a population of eighty thousand. Between these two cities is the busiest, best, and cheapest railway of Brazil, a railway that will compare favorably with any of the great railways of the world, considering its length. Two hours by train from Santos and one-half hour from Sao Paulo is the village of Sao Bernardo, situated at an altitude of about three thousand feet. A little more than a mile from the station our brethren have purchased a property located in the country for their publishing work which is also to be the general headquarters for the work in Brazil. It is hoped that this will prove to be a healthful place in this tropical climate.

The property consists of about twelve acres. There was located on it a house with an upright and a wing built of brick. There were also other outbuildings, one of which has been enlarged for a dwelling for the secretary at an expense of five hundred dollars. The original cost was nearly three thousand dollars. The wing is in need of considerable repairs. The building is not nearly large enough to give the necessary room for their work, and so it has been arranged to erect an addition thirty-three feet square. It is believed that this will meet the demands for some time to come.

A medium-sized Augsburg (German) power press has been ordered, and as soon as the addition is completed, it will be installed. Besides the press donated to the Brazil work by the Emmanuel Missionary College a few years ago, they will have two other small presses, one donated by the Hamburg Publishing House. A two-horsepower gasoline motor of German manufacture has just been installed, and some binding machinery has been secured. Brother George Sabeff, who has charge of the printing, is studying hard to become proficient in all lines of the printing trade. There is now a good prospect that we will soon have the much-needed books for the Brazilian work. Brother Wm. Stein is hard at work preparing material for the presses.

“Steps to Christ” has been retranslated, and is already in type. The manuscript is under preparation for “Christ Our Saviour.” As soon as it can be revised, a second edition of “His Glorious Appearing” will be printed. The first edition is practically gone. “Christian Temperance” and other books and tracts will follow as soon as they can be prepared for the press. The canvassing work is promising well for the future in Brazil. Some new canvassers have done quite well in their work, and a goodly number are offering their services. The lack of suitable books has been a great hindrance.

The brethren are all of good courage with reference to this work. Brother August Pages, who has charge of the publishing work, is well fitted for it, through his former experience in connection with the Hamburg Publishing House, and he is an untiring worker for its success. J. W.