In San Salvador by Henry F. Brown

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 14, 1916

In San Salvador

By Henry F. Brown

HENRY F. BROWN

THE little republic of Salvador has the smallest territory of any of the six Central American countries, but its population numbers almost two million, it being second only to Guatemala. Its coast is very low and damp, but, as are the rest of the countries, Salvador is quite mountainous. Many of its mountains are extinct volcanoes, and there are one or two that are still active. The land is very fertile though of volcanic origin. Lava rock is everywhere in abundance. Many small geysers may be seen along the coast.

The capital, San Salvador, is a city of sixty-five thousand people. It is quite modern in appearance, and has a university. Its commerce is largely with the United States, and consists of exported coffee and imported foodstuffs and dry goods. Here it is that our work is started. In November, last year, my brother, John L. Brown, came from Spain to Salvador. He did not intend to begin public meetings at once, but as soon as it was known that the Adventists were in town, he was besieged by many residents to explain the difference between his church and theirs. He received requests for information from towns sixty miles away. My brother was therefore compelled to hold public meetings against his own will. He had rented a house with a large room suitable for public services, but as soon as the Catholic bishop learned of the meetings through the reports in the daily papers, force was brought to bear on the owner of the house; and at the expiration of the time for which the building was rented, my brother was compelled to vacate. He had by this time a little group of interested persons, who came to the new location, and now form his permanent congregation.

At the time of my visit he was occupying a neat little hall with a seating capacity of about fifty. This was filled the night I spoke to them. One believer has become a ‘colporteur, and gives promise of success. Another is studying to become a Bible worker.

Such is the beginning of our work in this Spanish American country. In about eight months there have been won between twenty and thirty who are now prepared for baptism. The prospects are fair for a permanent church in the capital of this republic.

Tegucigalpa, Honduras.