General Meeting in Santa Maria, Espirito Santo, Brazil
By J. W. Westphal
This meeting was held July 3-12. There are two organized churches and a few scattered brethren, numbering one hundred, or a few more, in the State of Espirito Santo, and about ninety of these attended the meeting. As Elder Graf could not attend on account of sickness, the work devolved upon Brother Waldemar Ehlers, a licentiate and the only laborer in this State, and the writer. Two preaching services were held each day, besides a business meeting, in which the needs of the work were considered. Two question meetings were held, which called forth explanations, regarding various points of truth and the work in our field, which will, we believe, enable all to work more intelligently and harmoniously. The meeting was a success. A general interest was taken in all branches of the work. The Lord was present with his blessing; and as the meeting was brought to a close, all felt that a decided victory had been gained. Four were baptized and united with the Santo Maria church. On the last Sabbath, preceding the celebration of the ordinances of the Lord’s house, upon the unanimous request of the brethren present and in harmony with the counsel of the conference committee, Brother Ehlers was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, the writer offering the prayer and giving the charge. The Lord’s presence was especially manifest on this occasion. The German portion of this State seems to be an especially hard field. The foundation of the work was laid upon the part of both the ministers and canvassers amid bitter hatred, persecution, and threats, and it is only by special providences that the Lord protected them. Brethren have suffered ignominious abuses, whippings, and the despoiling of13their goods on account of their faith, and this spirit seems not to have abated during the last six or seven years. Brother Ehlers has to meet it at almost every turn. Disagreement in the counsels of the enemy, causing them to seek to devour one another, has frequently saved him. Only once has he been hurt, and then not seriously. Sister Ehlers and their two-year-old son are left alone in the forest, with no house in hearing or seeing distance. The nearest neighbors are not friends, and there is no lack of effort on the part of the opposition “to molest and make afraid.” Yet the truth moves steadily on. It is brought alike into the homes of friends and enemies. In connection with his preaching and Bible work, Brother Ehlers has sold nearly two hundred dollars’ worth of books during the last ten months. The brethren gave liberally of their means for the support of the work, and at one of their number, a young man, is now with me on his way to attend the Brusque training school. As an evidence of their interest in the work and the means by which the Lord works, I would mention the following:— On learning of the burning of the Review and Herald buildings where our German paper, Christlicher Hausfreund, was published, several of the children made small donations of their own accord to assist in the work of restoration. This at once stirred up the hearts of others to do something, and in the course of a few weeks about forty-five dollars was on hand. In the closing work of the message, God has some in this field who will stand in the front of the battle. Victoria, Espirito Santo, Brazil.