The Message in Spain by W. Robinson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Apr 6, 1905

The Message in Spain

By W. Robinson

W. ROBINSON

“THE LORD GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Isa. 50:7.

Upon reaching Spain from Wales, my wife and I engaged with the Brethren Bond in the meetings they were conducting. After three months we had the joy of seeing an honest-hearted woman, formerly a devoted Roman Catholic, accept the message for these days. It seemed but little fruit; but we began to trust it will prove to be good. Since then she has remained firm. Pray for her, and for the little company she has joined in Sabadell, a country town not far from this great city of Barcelona.

Last August we decided to move from Sabadell to Barcelona. We have found the work here very difficult. Only a few came to our meetings, one of whom gave promise of eventually becoming a worker for this land of darkness, for the interest he displayed could hardly be excelled. He was formerly a student for the priesthood, and subsequently a worker among the Methodists. Reluctantly, however, we observed some weak points in his character; and although he afterward began to keep the Sabbath, by that time we were almost satisfied that his character would not bear a careful examination.

Nevertheless we did not forget that the Lord Jesus so mightily said, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

A little while before this, our landlord forbade our holding public meetings in our flat, which, of course, largely handicapped our efforts at evangelization. But the few came as formerly, and we did not forbid them.

Now a strange experience awaited us—strange, because we had never before passed through such. Brother Frank Bond, who was living with us, suddenly sickened with smallpox. And having no medical workers in Spain (When will they come?), it rested with me to care for my ill-fated brother. Thus our aggressive work was stopped. After nursing him ten days, I myself sickened with fever, which, however, I am glad to say did not develop into smallpox.

While we were in this condition, the interested young man came, and asked definitely if we had any intention of putting him into the work on a salary. By this time I was satisfied that he was a time-server, and replied in the negative. Then he said, “If I had known this at the beginning, I would never have given up my employment to keep the Sabbath.” That conversation settled it in my mind that the Lord had given us victory even in apparent defeat,—victory in delivering us from one who, had he entered our ranks, by and by, when his faith would be tried, as it must be sooner or later in all of our experiences

experiences, would be found “wanting,” and so might have done us incalculable harm here in Spain by giving up the truth.

MONUMENT OF COLUMBUS POINTING TO AMERICA

We were now passing through a great trial—Brother Bond in bed with smallpox, and I with a continuous fever, which reduced me almost to a skeleton. After nearly three weeks in bed, just as we expected recovery, I was seized with pleuropneumonia, which brought me almost to the gates of death. But, besides the doctor and brother nurse, who came all the way from Switzerland, and my beloved wife, who tenderly cared for me, there were angels of God in attendance. Heb. 1:14.

At the beginning of the sickness, we received a message from the Lord, through my wife’s mother, who wrote us, saying that she had been impressed to send us this scripture: “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God.” John 11:4.

Our Heavenly Father gave us faith to believe that word which is “quick and powerful,” and so, under the most trying circumstances, we never expected death, even though I spent nearly six weeks confined to my bed. My convalescence was remarkably rapid. The delightful climate of Spain, and the food products, which are all that can be desired, favor a speedy recovery.

We have had no visible results in Barcelona yet, and during our sickness the work was almost at a standstill. What the immediate future will bring forth, we do not know, as at present my wife and I are absolutely alone in Spain; and, according to our experiences when the Brethren Bond were here, sometimes a public meeting could not be conducted unless we three were present, the behavior of some of the congregation being so bad as to demand our constant vigilance. Therefore, until I have a worker or two to help me, I fear public aggressive work will be well-nigh impossible. Until then we shall do what we can as the Lord may direct.

We have taken into our home the daughter of one of the Sabbath-keepers in Sabadell. Though quite young, being still in her teens, she now goes out alone, canvassing with good success, though meeting with much opposition and many insults. We trust she will win many souls for the everlasting kingdom.

I have not seen a drunken man since coming here. The people are not, however, total abstainers,—far from that,—for they drink wine at every meal. But evil men and seducers “wax worse and worse,” even here, and we are certainly living in “perilous times.” Within the last four or five months no less than three bombs have been maliciously placed to blow up buildings, etc. The last exploded in a public thoroughfare, wounding more than twelve persons. Thus public life is somewhat imperiled. But we are glad to remember the Lord’s promise in such times: “It shall not come nigh thee.” Ps. 91:7.

Education is at a very low ebb in Spain. In towns of from twenty to thirty thousand inhabitants, it is a common thing to find that at least seventy per cent of the women are unable to read. I read the other day that only four in a thousand read the best newspaper, though its price is within the reach of all. Of course this illiteracy materially obstructs the progress of the gospel in its fulness. But we are of good courage, knowing that this gospel of the kingdom must be preached to all nations before the end. And so, despite our many difficulties, we would cry, “Victory.”

Barcelona.