The Message in Spain by W. ROBINSON

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 3, 1905

The Message in Spain

By W. ROBINSON

W. ROBINSON

“THE people of the land have used oppression [“deceit,” margin], and exercised robbery, and have vexed the poor and needy: yea, they have oppressed the stranger wrongfully. And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Eze. 22: 29, 30.

These words accurately portray Spain in its present condition, and I wonder how many who read these lines ever think of leaving their comfortable homes, to “stand in the gap” before the Lord. As he seeks some one to witness for him in Spain, may he not have to say, as once he said of his ancient people, “I found none”?

Since my last report, our experiences here, have been many and interesting, and I wish those in England and America who are so anxious to regard the Roman Catholic system with sympathy, could have been here during the last month. In Protestant countries the very best side of the great counterfeit is seen, but here the “beast” can be seen in all her shameful reality.

Recently the church of England opened its new building in Barcelona for the benefit of the English colony and all English-speaking people. That very morning a long article appeared in the chief papers, from the bishop of Barcelona, protesting with all his power against such a procedure. He claimed that the law of Spain does not allow any Protestant place of worship to have symbols of Christianity exposed to the public gaze outside the edifice; that the only true church was the Roman Catholic, and that all others, whether Lutherans, Calvinists, or anything else, were all enemies of true religion, and should not be countenanced under any consideration; that all who were not of the Roman Catholic Church were heretics, and should be treated accordingly. But, despite all his raving, a letter came to him from King Alfonzo XIII, expressing his sympathy, and assuring him that the Protestant chapel would not be opened unless all exterior signs were taken down. Accordingly, the cross that had been placed in front of the church was removed, the building was opened, and the service was conducted in peace. This Protestant victory has caused quite a stir in this place, and, of course, at present there is an unusual degree of bitter opposition toward the “heretics.”

AMPHITHEATER AT BARCELONA, WHERE THE BULL-FIGHTS ARE HELD

A little while afterward we went, in company with a Roman Catholic lady with whom we are working, to her church, to hear the sermon of a distinguished priest. This man, too, raved against all Protestants, saying that their places of worship were synagogues of Satan, etc., and affirming that it was Protestants who burned the Roman Catholic martyrs in Austria in the sixteenth century, and who were being beatified that night.

While canvassing for our literature recently I was interrupted by another priest, who wanted to know what authority I had for propagating such doctrines; he abused me with all the words at his command. Presently I asked him if he thought the Inquisition was of the Lord. He said, “Yes,” and that it would be a good thing again, under certain conditions.

The Roman Catholic lady previously mentioned was anxious for us to converse with her priest about the studies we had given her, and as we failed to see him the last time we went with her, at her request we went with her this morning again, for we are anxious to win her for the truth. We realized that perhaps it was not the best thing to do; but fearing she would lose confidence in us if we refused to go, we decided to accede to her request, although we had been warned not to go. This man is an eminent German prelate, and, as he was once a Protestant, our friend thought we could not do better than talk with him upon Bible subjects, which she told us she was incompetent to do.

We met the man in his vestry, and at first he told us he had plenty of time at his disposal, if we were not in any haste. Finding that he occupied all the time in telling us how he became a Roman Catholic, I interrupted him, saying that I had some questions to ask. However, he continued a long time, and eventually came to a point where I began to object, and when I asked him some questions, he said he could not answer me in the little time left, and that he was already called for. We finally parted, being more persuaded than ever that they do not wish any one to question their doctrines. What the church says, we are expected to believe.

But people who are not church-goers are tired of Roman Catholicism, and there was actually a revolution in Valencia not so very long ago, when about fifty people were killed and wounded, the priests being armed with revolvers. Surely the night of Spain’s oppression is far spent, and we believe we can hear the watchman say, “The day of her religious liberty is about to dawn.”

Last month six English war-ships visited this port, and about two thousand of the men came on shore. We seized the opportunity to distribute our literature, and soon engaged in friendly conversation with two of the men. They told us some very interesting things about their new war-ship, which was launched only last year. It is fitted up with all the latest improvements (?), and has guns that fire shots weighing over eight hundred pounds, a distance of seventeen miles, with such accuracy that there would be no possibility of missing the target. These remarks reminded us of the violence like that of the days of Noah which will precede the coming of the Prince of Peace. We had some spiritual talk, and prayed with these men, and gave them some reading-matter on present truth.

We are glad to be able to say that our meetings are now better attended than formerly. Our landlady, who is a woman of means, has visited us twice, and listened with profound attention, though the ignorance displayed by even well-to-do people regarding the Bible is sad. Let every reader pray for her. If she renounces Roman Catholicism, she will at once become an outcast of society, and be regarded as one possessed with the devil. Nobody in a Protestant country can realize the difficulties that attend our work in Spain, and we are longing for the Lord to work in a special manner.

In my last I referred to a man who

said he received his first Bible lesson from me. I am glad to say he continues to manifest a good interest in the Bible. He told me last week that he had not ceased reading the Scriptures since coming to our house. He also comes to our Sabbath meeting, and we believe he is walking in the light.

Lately we have been holding some meetings in part of a large stable where a poor coachman lives, in this city. We go every week, and the interest is increasing. We therefore look for some good results.

Barcelona, Spain.