WHEN we were here in Juiz de Fora six months, we organized our first Sabbath school, which consisted of those who had been brought into the truth by the faithful efforts of a native canvasser who lived with us, he and Mr. Carter having sold them books. Evenings this canvasser would visit those whom he found interested, and give them Bible studies. The Lord blessed his earnest efforts, and ten adults began keeping the Sabbath; hence the organization of the Sabbath school.
My object in writing this is to tell you of the dear children of the flock in whom I am always most interested. I undertook to teach, as there was no one else to do so, although I hardly knew how to speak the Portuguese language. But I loved them all, and my heart went out to teach them. I wish you could have seen them, so intelligent, lovable, and quiet, showing such reverence for God's Word although all except one were reared Catholics. I could see it was God's Spirit working upon their hearts. There were seven in all, besides Imo, our daughter. At first we could not do much but sing, pray, and memorize Bible verses. They memorized a verse for each letter of the alphabet, making of course twenty-six verses. Then I gave a small present to each of those who could recite every verse without mistake. Five were successful. Gradually I became able to teach them simple Bible truths, and they each learned to pray. It would do your soul good to hear the earnest little petitions which they send forth each Sabbath, and to see how attentive they always are. The membership has now increased to seventeen, and I have an assistant, one of the new Sabbath keepers. Some Sabbaths we have twenty children to teach. We are sending along a photograph of the school, but four of our largest children were unable to meet with us for this picture.
This year we are using the Sabbath school chart and cards, and the children enjoy them immensely. We have no Little Friend in Portuguese, so I give them the Scripture assignment, and they study from the Bible, preparing their lessons alone, as their parents do not know how to help them as yet. Each Sabbath they recite their memory verse, and I use the “ladder” as given in the October Sabbath School Worker to secure attention and good lessons. They are desirous of reaching the top of the ladder, and you ought to see their bright, sparkling eyes, which show that they have diligently studied their lessons.
SABBATH SCHOOL CHILDREN AT JUIZ DE FORA, BRAZIL. SISTER R. M. CARTER AT THE RIGHT, HER ASSISTANT AT THE LEFT.
Last Christmas we had a tree in harmony with the article Sister White wrote in the REVIEW of Dec. 9, 1884. Three months before, I had given each one hundred reis (three cents English money). They made little missionary gardens, and thus increased the money. Imo bought a Portuguese magazine and sold it, and then bought more and sold them. Thus she had an offering that she had earned.
I prepared envelopes for each one's offering, and instead of buying presents for one another, each brought a gift to Jesus. The twenty-four cents I invested was increased to fourteen milreis, or almost five dollars. We had a good time. The desire to help in God's great work was also instilled into their young minds.
I might add that the parents of some of these children permitted their children to attend the Sabbath school, though they themselves were not interested enough to come. As a result, the parents became interested, and are now keeping the Sabbath. Some are already baptized, the rest soon will be, and I believe the children have done their part in exciting an interest in this truth by their earnest prayers at home. This is what we are doing in Juiz de Fora, away in the interior of Brazil, and I believe that as much or even more could be done in each city here. What we need is workers, and means to support them. Surely the harvest is great, and the laborers are few.
