Your ShelfYour Projects

Portugal

17%

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Oct 19, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 42.

Read the full edition

Portugal

By C. E. Rentfro

CARCAVELLOS.—July 23 I arrived home from a three-weeks' trip to Switzerland, where I attended our Latin Union camp-meeting. I crossed Spain and one corner of France. As I traveled, I thought of the Suevi, the Goths, and the other barbarian tribes that once inhabited these countries, of whom we still find traces. Also, the Pyrenees and the Alps reminded me of the Waldenses, who found that “the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood” of persecution. In Geneva I was told of a chapel where Calvin preached probably about thirty years. Our camp was located on the same property as our school, sanitarium, and health food factory. It is one of the most beautiful places on either side of Lake Geneva, comprising ninety acres, a great deal of which is covered with large white oaks, Eucalyptus trees, and pine trees. A large frontage on the lake gives plenty of space for bathing purposes. In the distance, Mt. Blanc, with its snow-capped summit, can be seen quite plainly, and is very pretty.
Our committee planned to help me by authorizing me to publish some special tracts in Portuguese, one entitled “The Secret of Health,” and the others on the second coming of Christ. On my return home I found a donation from a sister in California for this very purpose. We praise God for this, as well as for a club of twenty Signs, which is furnished us by two lovers of present truth. For these we have a number of regular and interested readers. We expect soon to learn of a brother and his wife opening up the work in Tangier, Morocco, north Africa. They were sent from our camp-meeting. I was glad to make their acquaintance, and to meet other workers.
While at Barcelona, Spain, I had the privilege of attending a Spanish Sabbath-school. One little girl repeated the books of the Bible without a mistake, and another the ten commandments. They were bright little girls, probably eight years of age. As I traveled through Spain, and saw the many villages, towns, and cities, with their hundreds and thousands of people, I thought, “How long before they can be warned?” Then, as I saw the beautiful fields of grapes and fruits of all kinds, where irrigation insures crops, I wondered, “Why can not some one come and buy a place, and live here, and teach the truth to this people?”
Truly, I thank God for the light of his Word. And how thankful I am to be here to help teach it to this people! I expect to put in another good month in language study; then I shall begin selling papers and distributing literature. Remember us still in your prayers. Soon the battle will be over, and we shall greet one another on the eternal shore.
C. E. RENTFRO.