Portugal by C. E. Rentfro

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 2, 1905

Portugal

By C. E. Rentfro

LISBON.—We are indeed in a needy field. Surely we can not begin work for these people too soon. As we look at them rushing along in business or pleasure, our hearts cry out to God for help in learning the language. We have a good teacher.

We are considering the advisability of printing tracts here or using those sent from Brazil. There is a heavy duty on nearly everything that is imported. Several other denominations are doing work here. These have commodious quarters, and publish tracts and papers. A few colporteurs are selling Bibles from house to house, the sale of which amounts to a thousand dollars a month. A large per cent of the people can neither read nor write. In order to start a school or hold meetings, one must have a government license, and the laws are strict against proselyting.

The Brazil brethren sent us a number of their papers and tracts, and we expect soon to make an attempt to sell them. One of our needs is more literature on the subject of Christ's coming.

The city of Lisbon contains over three hundred thousand persons, about one twelfth of Portugal's population. One need not step out of the house to obtain necessaries, for “hawkers” go up and down the street, selling bread, vegetables, clothing, tinware, fruit, fish, coal-oil, olive-oil, etc.; others come to the house for orders in groceries.

We are able to read the news in the papers, and learn of drunken brawls in wine shops, in which some one is stabbed with a knife, as daily occurrences.

For a few months our weather will be about like that of the Central States in October. The climate is quite healthful.

C. E. RENTFRO.