Home Missionary Work in Brazil by Pauline Hennig

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 5, 1914

Home Missionary Work in Brazil

By Pauline Hennig

A FEW months ago the members of the Missionary Volunteer Society began tract work in São Bernardo. The same families were called on once a week and a tract left. As a result, we have been able to gain entrance into several homes, where we are regularly giving Bible studies. One family are Spiritualists, and the man has been a medium for four years. We feared they would reject the studies as soon as they found out what we believe about their doctrine, but they did not. They are earnestly seeking more light. We have had several studies on the Sabbath question with a Polish family, and they have now promised to keep the Sabbath. A young man who works with the father in the blacksmith shop is also much interested.

One of our brethren has been working with a Roman Catholic neighbor for some time. The man was wealthy, and did not seem to be serious about the truth; but the Lord allowed sickness to come into his family, and all his money was spent in the hospital. Our brother, to whom he told his hardships, explained to him that the Lord uses such ways to lead people to him. The man then began to read again the books that had been lent him. He also bought a Bible and studied earnestly, even laying it under his pillow at night, so that he could look up passages that came to his mind. One time after studying with him, our brother asked to have prayer. The neighbor went to get a prayer book, but the brother, of course, would not use it. After the prayer, the man said: “Please do write that prayer down for me, so that I can pray it, too.” My husband is studying with him now, and the Word of God is indeed precious to him. He is ready for baptism, and is planning to enter the canvassing work. His family is accepting the truth with him.

Recently a man, a director of a Catholic hospital, came several hours' ride from the interior to be baptized. Four years ago he bought some books of one

of our canvassers, and began studying the truth. After last New Year's Day a canvasser again went there, and found the man keeping the Sabbath. He sent us his address, and our young people began corresponding with him, and also sent him more literature. So he fully decided to obey the truth, and came for baptism. In the place where he works he was prohibited from having a Portuguese Bible, so he bought an English one, and studied that. Another man in that place is also keeping the Sabbath, but could not come on account of sickness. That shows that our literature reaches people where no minister has ever been.

In São Paulo a German family had heard the truth some time ago, but did not accept it, because they thought they could not keep the Sabbath. So the Lord permitted them to lose everything they had. Now in their need they are seeking the Lord, and are ready to accept the truth.

MRS. PAULINE HENNIG.