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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 14, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 7.

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Portugal

By C. E. RENTIERO

LISBON.—The new converts—first-fruits in Portugal—are paying a tithe and taking up service for others. This stirs up the opposition in this new field. The Protestants have printed a four-page leaflet against us, somewhat as follows:— “Beware! It is the duty of believers to attend to Christ’s words in Matt. 24: 4, 24 [the warning against false prophets]. This peril arises among us. It is a movement founded essentially on false prophecies, and maintains itself by means of a persistency extraordinary.” Thus it goes on, announcing that opposition literature is soon to be published in Portugal to meet our work, and saying that we are not to be compared with unbelievers or Mormons or spiritualists, for our lives are rigidly strict and pure, and we believe in conversion and other things common to all the churches. It is, they warn, an example of sincerity and pureness of life allied to a pernicious doctrine, and they give some of the points of our teaching.
With the enunciation of the majority of our doctrines, no doubt some persons will be desirous of searching further. In anticipation of this we are printing a four-page sheet, giving the testimony of Protestants and Catholics on the law and the Sabbath, with a few Bible texts, and an invitation to study with us in our meetings.
Not long ago the editor of a large daily paper, being also correspondent of a Catholic paper, wrote me, asking for an outline of our belief, as he desired to write some articles on the religious beliefs in Portugal. I complied, giving the main principles and outlining the organization. Some day it will be published in some form.
Last night I had an interesting visit with a professor. He is in accord with us on the Sabbath question, having arrived at a conclusion before he saw us or read any of our literature. He had read the writings of others and knew their teaching. He sees that there has been a change from the original Sabbath, but does not know how nor why. I hope to be able to study with him more.
C. E. RENTIERO.