Wider Open by William Ambrose Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 28, 1905

Wider Open

By William Ambrose Spicer

In some of the Catholic fields the doors have been so long closed against Protestant missionary effort that they swing open slowly, as on rusty hinges. But surely, even though slowly, the way is made more ready for the swift progress of the advent message. The Interior notes the following signs of the times in South America:—

Ecuador, like France, has abrogated its “concordat,” and its statute-book now declares that the state permits the exercise of every religion not contrary to the laws nor to morality. Police protection for worship is guaranteed. In Peru, while it still continues unlawful to conduct Protestant worship in public assembly, the government has nevertheless issued stringent orders for protecting Protestant preachers. At the last advices received by our State Department from Bolivia, the lower house of the Congress of that country had passed a bill for complete religious freedom, and the upper house was expected to enact the measure into law.

This word comes just as our South American brethren are sending workers into Bolivia, and, as all know, we have taken advance steps in locating ministers

in Peru and Ecuador. Still we must pray very definitely for these long-closed lands. Legal restrictions may be removed by legislatures, but only the power of the living God can break down the barriers of error and prejudice and unbelief built up in the minds of the people by long centuries under Rome's deadly influence.

W. A. S.