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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 13, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 33.

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Brazil

By John Lipke

RIO GRANDE DO SUL.—Right after our last conference at St. Maria I received a letter from one of our brethren who wrote me that he had sold some of his property, and as he had devoted it to the Lord's work, he asked me to come and get it. We were indeed glad for this good news, because we needed the money, and on the other hand we could see the brother's confidence in this cause. He had given the property to the Lord because his Spirit had shown him the necessity. When I visited him, he gave me nearly one thousand dollars, and left it to us to decide to what purpose to devote it. Our conference committee decided to divide this sum among four branches. Lately one brother told me again that he would donate to our publishing house two thousand milreis, or about six hundred sixty dollars, as soon as he could sell his property. We are glad to see that the Spirit of God is working among us, and making hearts willing to give of their means to hasten this good work.
After attending to conference matters at home, I left Taquary to visit some scattered groups of our people. In two days I arrived at Taquara, a town where we held a local tent-meeting last February. Here we found Brother Olm still at work, and he reports a good interest. He called my attention especially to one man, a physician, who is daily reading his Bible, and is interested in our doctrines. A number of interested persons attended an evening meeting that was held during my short stay. We believe that a number will finally accept the truth here.
From Taquara we went on horseback to Solitario, where we have two families of our brethren who are faithfully living out the truth. In a family school that is held in the house of one of the brethren, they are training their children for the Lord. After we had celebrated the Lord's ordinances, we returned to Taquara, and the next day we rode on to Rolante, where some of our Brazilian brethren live. We thank the Lord for what he has done for these native brethren. Considering that they have been Catholics, they have made good progress in every way. They have adopted health reform, are paying tithe faithfully, and try to be witnesses for the truth wherever they get a chance among their countrymen. It did my soul good to see boys and girls come forward and pay their tithes. Having heard that the Lord through the spirit of prophecy has said that meeting-houses should be built, the few brethren decided to build one for meeting and school purposes. I found it already under roof. When it is ready and furnished, they expect to open a school.
From this place we rode to Canta Gallo, a colony in the mountains where we have three families standing for the truth. A bad and steep road leads into this colony; after a rainy season it is difficult to pass. Our brethren are not often visited by a minister, and they were glad to see us. The different churches are far apart, and on account of the long distances a minister has to travel, it is impossible to visit the brethren often. During the short time we spent together, the Lord came very near. Interested souls who came to see how we celebrated the Lord's ordinances, were so impressed that they shed tears.
The following Sabbath day found us again among our Brazilian brethren. From ten o'clock in the morning till six in the afternoon we had meetings, at noon having an intermission of only an hour and a half. Never before have so many people come together here as on that day. In the afternoon, after the examination of the candidates for baptism, we baptized eight persons, and then celebrated the Lord's ordinances. Great blessings were received, and the Spirit of God touched many hearts. After the close of the Sabbath we traveled till after ten o'clock until we reached Rolante again, and from there we returned to Taquara. Here our German brethren from three directions came together for the communion service, and before a good number of strangers whom we had invited, we celebrated the ordinances. It was indeed a solemn occasion. As the Spirit of God came near, and we celebrated the ordinance of humility, good attention was paid, and a deep impression was made upon all. Among those present were an interested lawyer and a commissioner of police.
A few days before our canvassers' institute began, I reached Taquary. Praise the Lord for his keeping care and the many blessings we received on this trip.
JOHN LIPKE.