General Meetings in Brazil
By J. W. Westphal
I LEFT my home in Argentina, March 26, to attend a series of general meetings, or conferences, in Brazil. The field is too large, the churches too scattering, the means of travel too slow, and the expense too great to expect a general attendance at any one meeting; and this is the first real attempt to reach all our people with such meetings. We felt the need of such a place to reach them that they might unite with us in discussing, laying, and carrying out plans to bring the message to the millions of Brazil, and, as far as we have held the meetings, we believe the results have justified the effort. The first meeting was held in the house of Brother Braak, near New Hamburg, in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. On account of heavy rains and high water I did not reach there until one-half the meeting had passed, and for the same reason this attendance was not as large as it otherwise would have been. About fifty were in attendance. Two were baptized. As it takes from two to four weeks' hard riding by mule over a lonely and difficult road to reach the Brusque school, and going by water is attended with the loss of much time and heavy expense, the matter of starting a workers' training school in this State received much consideration. The brethren were all deeply interested in the subject, and assure their hearty support of such an enterprise. The first steps were taken toward securing suitable property with buildings, by which, if successful, such a school will be well served, and it will be nearly if not entirely free from debt. Pledges and donations were made, one brother giving a colony (about 160 acres) of land. Plans of work and how to meet the deficit on our Portuguese paper were made, and First-day offerings and kindred subjects were discussed, in all of which the brethren were deeply interested, and took an active part. Five members of the conference committee were present, including Elder F. W. Spies, from the State of Santa Catharina. The meeting was held April 3-11. Our next meeting was at Linie Torris, in the southern part of Santa Catharina, April 18-25. It took a full seven days' ride by mule to reach there. As we were delayed one day because during the night one of our mules had broken loose and strayed from us, and the Sabbath also intervened, we did not reach the place of meeting until three days later. However, the brethren were still gathered anxiously awaiting our arrival. About one hundred were present. This meeting began under peculiar circumstances. The enemy had been working hard to destroy the work. A minister, by winning ways, plausible teaching, and misrepresentation, and especially by appealing to the naturally covetous heart, had succeeded in influencing nearly all. They were only waiting to see what this meeting would bring before making their final decision. Several of the brethren had left us, and had become our bitter enemies. Several times it seemed as though the opposition would break up our meetings. But the Lord was present to help, and in return only kindness was manifested. Before the meeting closed, a full and complete victory was gained. Never were our brethren stronger in the faith, filled with courage and determination to push the battle to the gates, than when we left them. In the last business meeting, and without any solicitations, the brethren in their poverty came with their offerings for the work, thus giving testimony in the presence of the opposition that they did not consider themselves burdened with heavy taxation. With the exception of the school matter the same questions were considered as at the Rio Grande meeting. On the day of our departure six precious souls were baptized by the elder. The meetings were held in the first Seventh-day Adventist Church building erected in South America. There are others that have been erected as school buildings, and are used for meeting purposes. The building is a creditable one, but is not yet entirely complete. As we found our luggage too heavy for our pack animals, and all were becoming weak with their work, we found it necessary to secure more. A brother kindly let me have one in the place of mine. Sister Spies also joined us here, so that our party of five (Elders Graf, Spies, two brethren, and the writer) was increased to six. Another seven days' ride brought us to Brusque, where we remained but two days. Three days more and we were at Joinville, the place of our next meeting, which was held May 2-9. Brother John Lipke, the principal of the Brusque Mission School, and also a member of the conference committee, accompanied us to this place. But few besides the Joinville church members were present. However, the meeting was an excellent one. As in the other places, all were deeply interested in the progress of the message, and in the consideration of plans of work, and in the raising of means to support it they took an active part. In this as in the other meetings a good-sized club of the Arauto da Verdade were taken to carry on a campaign among the Brazilians. Besides, the missionary acre plan was adopted to meet the deficit on this excellent paper. Two, a husband and wife (trained nurses from Germany), were baptized. Several meetings held in one neighborhood revealed a good outside interest. After considering the Brusque school matter it seemed necessary for financial and other reasons to secure more land for its benefit. At present they have but little land, and it is poor, so that it does not afford the school what it needs and might have. A place close by, of good land and excellent advantages of water power for a mill, etc., is offered the school at a very low price; and it was decided, if possible, to secure it. At this meeting a campaign for “Christ's Object Lessons” was started, with which, for the most part, the cost must be met. The proceeds from the books sold in the States of Santa Catharina and Parana will go toward this enterprise, while that from the rest of Brazil will go toward the Rio Grande school. Our brethren are thankful for such a plan, and are willing to do all they can to make it a success. The Brusque school, under Brother Lipke's management, is doing a good work, and it will greatly appreciate this assistance. The message of Christ's coming in this generation is meeting a response in the hearts of our brethren. Many seem ready to respond to the call to action. With our brethren in other parts of the world, they are willing to deny self that they may have means for the carrying forward of the glad news of Jesus' soon coming. Although the times are exceedingly hard, and, in some places, it is almost impossible to secure money at all, yet they are manifesting an exemplary liberality in supporting the work. Three and a half days more have brought us to Curityba, the capital of Parana, where we are now in the midst of an interesting meeting. Curityba, Parana, Brazil, So. America.