Minas Geraes, Brazil by F. W. Spies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 6, 1916

Minas Geraes, Brazil

By F. W. Spies

F. W. SPIES

NOVEMBER 12 I started on a visit to some of the places in Minas where the truth has found friends. I first visited Caxambie, where I met Brother Rhode, and where some of our newly baptized brethren had created an interest among their relatives. In this place I found six persons who had begun keeping the Sabbath. Others were studying the truth. We spent several days with them, holding meetings and teaching, and then went to Juiz de Fora. Here also several families had recently begun keeping the Sabbath. Our meetings were well attended, and I was pleased that on the Sabbath I could baptize four.

From Juiz de Fora my trip took me to Bello Horizonte, the capital of Minas, where I went to visit Brother and Sister Kroeker. Sister Kroeker had for some time been canvassing there with good success, and Brother Kroeker had been teaching the English language to quite a number of young people, even normal school professors and students of the place. This city impressed me as being a very promising place for a series of tent meetings; but like so many other openings, it must wait until some future time.

From Bello Horizonte I went to Barbacena. Here Brother Rhode and I spent several days. During our stay Brother Bettoni's family, four in all, were baptized.

We went to Guarany, where the truth had found an entrance, and where we had another baptism, six being here buried with their Lord in the watery grave. - I was especially impressed with the fervor of these new brethren.

Having finished our work in Guarany, we went several stations farther, to a place called Serra dos Maccacos. In and about this latter place there resided a number of native Christians. Some, having learned that our colporteurs were working in that section, became alarmed and warned them against the work. The effect of this warning, however, was the opposite from what was expected. One of the leading men, thinking it strange that they should be warned against people who try to follow the Bible, became curious to know more about us, and sent Brother Rhode an invitation to visit him. As Brother Rhode could at that time spend only a few days with these people, he left them a copy of Portuguese “Bible Readings.” When we arrived, we found fifty persons keeping the Sabbath. Brother Rhode has since spent a few weeks in that place, and found as many others anxious to study the precious message for this time.

Surely the field is ripe for the harvest; but how great a lack of reapers in this large and needy field! May the Master send more reapers to gather the ripe grain is our earnest prayer.