Brazil by John Lipke

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1905

Brazil

By John Lipke

On Dec. 5, 1904, we left New York on board the steamer “Tennyson,” bound for Brazil, where we had labored several years. We were glad to meet, at the end of a month, our dear brethren at Rio de Janeiro, who rejoiced as they heard how the Lord had blessed us in the States, and how willing our brethren in the States were to contribute toward a printing outfit for Brazil. After stopping at Santos, we went on toward our old home in Brusque, where we have one of our mission schools. Here hearts were made glad as we recounted the blessings we had received during our absence. After that I visited several of our churches, and related our experiences, how the Lord had blessed and led us while working in the States. If our brethren in the States could have seen the glad faces as we told of the contributions we had received for our printing outfit, they would feel fully repaid for the offerings they made.

At some places our people are unselfishly working for the advancement of the truth. At Timbo, where we expect to have one of our local conferences this year, we noticed especially an interest as the result of the work of our lay brethren. At Joinville, Brother Stuhlmann, one of our canvassers who is also doing Bible work, labors faithfully for the salvation of souls. As the ministers carry on a well-organized opposition, some of the people are afraid to follow their convictions, but we know the time will come when these souls will take courage, and like Nicodemus, and Joseph of Arimathea, step forward to hold up the banner of truth. At Massaranduba three families of our people had, in spite of the prevailing opposition, built a nice little schoolhouse. Here we found Sister Martha Beyer, one of our former students, teaching a small German church-school. We are so glad to know that the more opposition there is in these last days, the more the power of God will be revealed, and some will receive it.

During the latter part of March we held a session of our conference committee in Taquary, Rio Grande do Sul. It took us about two weeks to get there. We were glad to find a goodly number

of our people gathered for a general meeting. During this meeting, which lasted about four days, we enjoyed the guidance of God's Spirit. The Lord gave the word of truth as meat in due season. The general meeting was a help to our people, and the committee meeting a help to the work in general. The matter of locating our printing-office received due consideration. Wherever I have been among our people in Brazil, the donations of our American brethren toward our printing outfit made hearts glad.

At Taquary, where we have another mission school, the printing-office will be located soon. Press, types, etc., will have to go through the custom-house in Rio de Janeiro, and after that go with Brother Sabeff, the printer, to Taquary to connect with our school. Taquary is a small city, and the school is located in a suburb. Brother Schenk, the teacher, and the students have worked faithfully on the school land. The school has a good orchard and a nice garden. The buildings are large enough for the printing-office, a home for the teacher, and a number of students.

We need a great deal of literature in the Portuguese language, and as we connect the press with the school, we can give some poor but intelligent students the opportunity to work their way through school, and thereby get out our literature cheaper.

We are sure that our work in Brazil will prosper more than ever before. While in the States, I visited our camp-meetings, and our brethren there pledged toward our press. I would ask those who have not redeemed their pledges yet to do so as soon as possible, because we need the money. May God bless all who have given of their means toward this worthy enterprise.

I have written this report on a river steamer, just after our first general meeting among the Brazilians, and while going to one of our general meetings among the Germans.

JOHN LIPKE.