The Work in Mexico by G. W. Caviness

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1908

The Work in Mexico

By G. W. Caviness

SINCE returning from California, I have spent some time in instructing a number of interested persons, and have had the satisfaction of baptizing five, and adding one other to our church last Sabbath. These are all Mexicans, and some of them are heads of families. We expect that other members of these families will unite with us. Our chapel, which was plenty large enough for us when we first rented it about two years ago, will now scarcely hold those who attend on the Sabbath.

One thing commendable about our Mexican brethren is that they seldom fail to be present at the quarterly meeting, and it is now almost impossible to celebrate the ordinances in our small quarters with the numbers that attend. We feel very thankful that the Spirit of the Lord is working upon hearts.

The four young men who came from California to canvass are having good success. Although they know but little of the language, they canvass Mexicans, and succeed in taking orders. The report for the first three weeks spent in canvassing was nearly five hundred dollars' worth of books, and there seems to be no particular falling off since. Of course this is Mexican money. From the

little we have seen of the work in this department, we firmly believe that many of our larger books can be sold to the better classes of Mexicans; and when these young men have acquired a sufficient mastery of the Spanish language to use it successfully, and be able to train native help, we shall certainly see a great advance in this work.

The press donated by the Pacific Press Publishing Company is now set up and in operation. With this we shall be able to do much more and better work than we have ever done with our foot-press. The circulation of our Spanish paper, El Mensajero de la Verdad, has reached its highest point, and is still increasing. We shall doubtless have to publish nearly double the present issue during the coming year.

The outlook is encouraging. Brother Novak is now with us, and we expect Elder G. W. Reaser within a short time.

We are very much cramped at present in almost every direction. We must enlarge our printing facilities, and also find a larger place for our meetings. Then we can not get on much longer without a school. These three things are urgent, and we hope that at our council to be held early in November these matters will receive attention, and plans be laid for the enlargement of our work.

We believe that the time has fully come for the work to go forward in power here in this needy field, and trust that our brethren will remember us in their prayers and also with their means, that the work may not be hindered longer, but carried rapidly forward to its successful close.

G. W. CAVINESS.