Spain by Frank S. Bond

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 21, 1904

Spain

By Frank S. Bond

BARCELONA.— A good interest is manifested in our meetings, and several seem to have taken a firm stand for the truth. Our Sabbath-school is growing in interest and numbers. The enemy is hard at work in Spain. He is not only working with individuals, but is taking an active part in the affairs of the Spanish government. That you may appreciate how this is being accomplished, I quote a part of a Sunday law which appeared in a Sunday newspaper, March 6:—

“The king has sanctioned, and the ‘Gazette’ has promulgated the law of Sunday rest, which says thus:—

“‘ARTICLE 1.—Physical dependent labor is prohibited on Sunday, also that of a public nature for one’s self; in factories, workshops, warehouses, stores, fixed or transient business, mines, stone-quarries, ports, transports, . . . constructions, reparations, demolitions, farming, state, provincial, or city establishments or services, and other occupations similar to those mentioned. . . . No exception shall be made to women nor to minors; . . . it provides that the one who, on account of the nature of his position, can not rest Sunday, shall be given time for the fulfilling of his religious duties.’

“‘Art. 2 is given to exceptions, but these are few.

“‘ART. 3.—There will be need of civil force to oblige every stipulation contrary to the prohibitions of work established by this law, although the agreement may have preceded its promulgation. . . .

“‘ART. 5.—It shall be taken for granted that the employer is responsible for the infractions of this law, unless there is proof to the contrary, . . . and

in individual cases they shall be punished by a fine of from one to twenty-five pesetas; when the number of employees does not exceed ten, by a fine of from twenty-five to two hundred and fifty pesetas. . . . The first repetition of the violation of this law, within a year, shall be punished by public reprimand and a fine of two hundred and fifty pesetas. The action of correcting or punishing said infractions shall be public.

“‘ART. 6.—The ordinance for the execution of this law will be published and put in force within six months, counting from the publication of the same.

“‘ADDITIONAL ART.—In everything concerned in this law, it shall be understood that Sunday will begin at midnight of Saturday and end at the same hour of the following day, thus the duration of the rest being twenty-four hours.’”

We feel that a special effort should be made at this time to let the people of this country know the meaning of these things. In order that we may not incur the ill will of the authorities, and thus be publicly reprimanded and heavily fined, heavenly wisdom must be employed in every undertaking.

Surely, this is the time for every one of God’s people to arise in the name of King Emmanuel and enter this last great conflict between good and evil. The present national perplexities very clearly reveal that the last prophetic event just prior to the second coming of our Lord is about to be realized. There is now no time to be sleeping on guard. Pray for the advancement of this message in Spain.

FRANK S. BOND.