Mexico by S. MARCHESIO

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 8, 1915

Mexico

By S. MARCHESIO

During the second week of September, I returned to Mexico. My first visit was to the city of San Luis Potosi, where I stayed for three weeks. From there I went to Moctezuma. At this place I found a little company of six baptized members, also a few interested ones. I had not seen them for about a year, but they had remained firm to the truth. Whenever they could get three or four dollars together, they would use it to add to the walls of a room they hoped to finish for church purposes. This next year, if the revolution ceases, we hope to finish this building. I stayed with these people five days, and held four meetings.

I then went to Matehuala. Here I found the family that was baptized three years ago just as firm as ever, and two other families were interested. One family wants to be baptized.

My next stop was at Visnaga. The work is prospering here. I remained with the believers two weeks, holding twelve meetings. There were present every night from thirty-five to fifty persons. If the political condition of the republic is more quiet next year, we must improve our work here. During the time I stayed in this place, I slept on the benches of the church. In the daytime the church is used for a school-room.

Last year the church in Visnaga, out of their poverty, gave $14.50 to help put up the walls for the church in Moctezuma, and while I was with them they offered to pay for ten beams. I paid for ten more beams for the roof of this small building in Moctezuma. They offered to carry them to the place. This means that they will have to carry them about forty miles on donkeys' backs, to save the freight expenses. They also promised to help put them up. From this you will see that they are doing almost more than they can afford.

Perhaps it will not be amiss to tell of some of the sufferings of this people during the revolution. One month the men dared not sleep in their houses for fear of being caught and carried away to the army. All their horses were stolen, leaving only their donkeys. Some of them were repeatedly robbed of things in their houses. The church was made a barrack for the soldiers for a few days, until complaint was made to the chief, and then it was returned to us. But during all these experiences the believers continued their meetings in private houses.

We missionaries cannot help loving these people when we look at them as the Lord looks at them; but when we forget and look at them as the world regards them, the outlook seems discouraging. Missionaries need much of the help of God to carry on their work in Mexico.

S. MARCHESIO.