Progress in Porto Rico by Clarence E. Moon

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · May 20, 1915

Progress in Porto Rico

By Clarence E. Moon

CLARENCE E. MOON

OUR hearts are full of praise and thanksgiving when we consider what God has wrought in the last few weeks here at Moca, Porto Rico.

It was in a little Wednesday evening prayer meeting, where some of our native brethren had assembled to seek the Lord, that we were blessed in a marked degree. We were studying some of the promises which the Lord has given us in his Word and by his servant, when we were impressed to begin asking great things of God. Reading Jer. 32:17, Acts 14:27, and similar texts, we were impressed that our greatest need was more faith in God, and a realization of his leading. Paul and Barnabas realized that it was the mighty hand of God working through them, and that there was nothing too hard for God.

So we began to pray for the way to open to build a church here in Moca. It would make a long story to relate the wonderful manner in which the Lord reached forth his hand to answer these prayers. But suffice it to say, about a month later the house of the Lord was dedicated free from debt, with a church of twenty adult members organized.

The new church is located at the entrance to the town, on a corner lot given by the people, and a more beautiful situation we could not have asked for. It seemed a remarkable omen of the progress of the work of God in this island that the first Seventh-day Adventist church in Porto Rico should be built under such marked manifestations of God's providence.

It is even more wonderful how God has reclaimed living temples for the dwelling of his Spirit in the hearts of these people. Most of the Porto Ricans are cursed with the tobacco and liquor vices, and all are slaves to the coffee habit. The great change that has come in the lives of those not of our faith. I never shall forget how these dear souls took hold of the Lord, and how he has completely redeemed them from slavery to these habits.

PORTO RICAN HOME AT MOCA, WITH SOME OF THE BELIEVERS PRESENT

One aged sister told us that for a short time she used only a pinch of tobacco; but when we read that text, “What, could ye not watch with me one hour?” she took it very literally, and said she would try hour by hour, and that when the temptation came it would be a call to prayer. So she spent the night praying and struggling, as no one can understand but those who have used tobacco for a lifetime and have then undertaken to break the habit. But, thank God, she watched with Jesus, and is still watching, as this has now become a grand principle of her life. After the Lord gave her the victory over this habit, she asked him for her eyesight, having been blind for years, and now she reads her Bible and sings in our church.

MOCA (PORTO RICO) CHURCH BUILDING, WITH PORTION OF CHURCH MEMBERS

A young man with whom we studied apparently believed the truth, but would not accept it. We notified our workers, and began to pray for him. After about three months he came to us and said, “I am going to be a Seventh-day Adventist.” He said the change in him came about in this way: he was watching us settle a little business disagreement in which he knew the other person was wrong; and when he saw how calm we were, and that we paid the man his unjust demands, he determined to follow the same Jesus who made us such a people as that. He seemed to be in earnest, and trembled at the presence of God's Spirit. This young man with eleven others was baptized the following Sabbath.