Brazil by F. W. Spies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 15, 1908

Brazil

By F. W. Spies

ON Wednesday, July 8, the same day on which I returned from my trip to Espirito Santo, Elder J. G. Kroeker and family arrived at Rio de Janeiro, from Nebraska. We were very glad to see our working force thus increased. As soon as we could get Elder Kroeker’s baggage through the custom-house, we set out together for the Sao Paulo mission, in which it was thought best that Brother Kroeker labor for a time, in connection with Elder Emil Hoelzle.

When we arrived at Sao Paulo, we found that Elder Hoelzle had had quite an interest in Itapetininga, where he had held a series of meetings, as a result of which he had been able to baptize fourteen persons. The interest still continues good. Some of those who accepted the message were Catholics, others belonged to the Presbyterian Church. Even the local elder of the latter church accepted the truth. One sister, after she had received the knowledge of the truth, accepted it with joy, and bequeathed all her property to the Lord’s cause.

In several other small towns in Sao Paulo the truth is gaining a foothold, and thus the calls are coming from different places for ministerial labor. It was my privilege to spend some time at Sao Bernardo, where our printing plant is located, which is now being enlarged. The brethren had just finished printing a new edition of “Steps to Christ” in Portuguese, and orders were coming in for it, among them one for five hundred copies. But they were so hampered for room in trying to do the binding, that I could realize as never before the importance of enlarging our facilities in this line.

The canvassing work is also picking up, and what we greatly need is some good leaders in this work. We believe there is a future for the canvassing work in Brazil. But it needs to be built up.

The first edition of “His Glorious Appearing” is sold out, and as soon as the building is finished, and we can get our new press to work, we expect to print a second edition of five thousand, and an edition of “Christ Our Saviour” will follow that, while other matter is in preparation. We feel sincerely grateful that the Lord has opened the way to get our printing work so well established, and we feel that what we now need is a good school in the center of Brazil, where our youth can come and get a preparation for the work both in office and field. We have some promising youth who would come to such a school, if we had one, and we hope the way may soon open for this; because we must depend upon our young people here for the future laborers. The Lord is good, and has blessed us, and to him our eyes are still raised; for we know his hand is ever open to give, and he is ever ready to bless even small beginnings and apparently insignificant facilities.

A week ago to-day the Brazilian national exposition was opened here in Rio de Janeiro, and this now takes the attention of the people somewhat. But on the whole, the Lord’s work is onward, and we are thankful. May it soon triumph, and the redeemed go to their eternal home. F. W. SPIES.