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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 13, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 15.

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Brazil

By F. W. Spies

CASTRO.—After my return from the province of Espírito Santo, we made the necessary preparation for complying with a request of the conference that we move overland from Brusque to Castro, a distance of about three hundred miles. We made this journey on horseback.
Leaving Brusque on the nineteenth of October, we stopped first at Massaranduba. As we rode along this familiar road, we were much pleased to see that the few families living here had almost finished a new house of worship. While a Lutheran pastor had done his best to break up our work, this was a confession to the world that the truth yet lived and reigned in the hearts of God's children. We spent a pleasant Sabbath at this place, and conducted the first services in this house of prayer, which is nearly finished.
From Massaranduba we went to Joinville. At the latter place we remained one week. Because of the constant rain, our work at this place was somewhat interfered with; but we had baptism, one Brazilian brother receiving the rite. I should have stated above that before I left Brusque, two brethren came a good day's journey, desiring to be baptized.
From Joinville we came to the Hausa Colony, where we visited the few scattered brethren. The rain continued, and hence the traveling was still difficult. After visiting all the believers, and encouraging them, and also having the Lord's supper with them, we journeyed on to Sao Bento. During our stay at Sao Bento, the weather continued the same. But we had a pleasant time there, and had another baptism and the Lord's supper. When we were ready to leave that place, the weather changed, and the rest of our trip we had fair weather.
Our next stopping-place was Rio Negro. Here we also had a pleasant visit with the brethren; and, from their confessions, we trust it was a profitable one to them.
Leaving Rio Negro, we spent a day at the fazenda (estate) of the governor of Parana, to visit some sisters who were living there, and then proceeded to Castro, where we arrived on the evening of November 25, at the home of Brother Holzle.
Although the trip was rather long, mywife and little girl stood it well. But we were glad, after traveling five weeks, three of which had been rainy, to come again to a place we could call home.
After arranging our new home somewhat, we turned our attention to the work in this new field, which is so abundant and pressing that it sometimes becomes a question where to begin our labors, for from all quarters come urgent calls.
The first Sabbath of our stay here, we had baptism. Three souls followed their Lord into the watery grave. These were the fruit of Brother Holzle's labors here. We hope soon to have another baptism.
Everywhere the field is ripe for the harvest. May the Lord of the harvest send more reapers into it to help gather the already ripe grain.
F. W. SPIES.