Considerable time has elapsed since we reported. We have now been in the Canaries about a year and a half. A large share of this time has been spent in canvassing for the health book “Salud y Hogar.” The Lord blessed much in taking orders for this pioneer book in Santa Cruz, the capital, and in Laguna, where we are at present located. About five hundred orders were taken, and possibly four hundred books delivered. It is much easier to take the orders than to deliver the books, as the Spaniards many times change their minds when they are asked to pay.
CANARY ISLAND MISSION
While canvassing in Santa Cruz I found one family who seemed to be waiting to learn the truth, and I immediately began to hold Bible studies with them once a week. Later, when delivering, I found more opportunities of this kind. One woman had been converted to Protestantism about a year before. Her attention had been called to the Sabbath, and on learning that I was an observer of the Sabbath, she desired me to instruct her in the truth. She had been converted under the labors of a Baptist missionary who, although he tells me that we are right in regard to Sabbath observance, does not teach it to his converts. Accordingly I immediately began Bible studies in other homes, and in this instance began instructing this woman in the Sabbath truth. She seems eager to learn the truth, and says that she wants to know it all. After finishing the Sabbath question, she told me that she was keeping the Sabbath although still identified with the Baptist Church. Her interest in the truth continues, for which we are thankful to God.
In Laguna I found some shoemakers who had a Protestant Bible, and as they seemed to want to learn, I began to study with them. They are hard-working men, and many times listen as they work. We may be able to instruct them, but only God by his Spirit can bring the inner transformation of character which must take place before they will take their stand for the truth. The Word says, “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.”
One always has to ask on going to a house, “Is there any one here who knows how to read?” If they know you have books to sell, they will usually say that they do not know how to read. Another expression is, “Me est orbe lo negro” (The black disturbs me), which means that the print—black and white—is a trouble to them. Many say their parents taught them only to work, and wonder why any one should trouble them with reading. There is a universal indifference, which is lamentable. If there is in the household one who can read, one can usually excite his curiosity in a little tract, even though an order for a book cannot be obtained. As the price of a tract is small,—two cents,—one usually sells quite a number in a day.
Thus through the suppression of education the Roman Catholic Church has taken away the truth from the people. In spite of the ignorance which prevails, the Lord has given a few orders in the country districts for the health book. In one little village I obtained five orders, and delivered every one of them. In another, six miles west of here, the Lord gave me twenty-five orders, and I sold over one hundred tracts.
I delivered a book to a physician in Oratava. He asked me if I had other books to sell. I told him I did, and that I hoped to follow this later with Bible books, offering him a gospel tract on the signs of our times, at the same time telling him I was an Adventist. He said, “I am a Catholic, nominally.” He took the tract, saying he would read it. There are many here who are Roman Catholics only nominally. May God give us the ability to find the truly honest in heart with his truth.
Last week the city observed the feast of Corpus Christi. Four of the principal streets were decorated with magnificent floral designs in the forms of rugs on the pavement. Among these were: the cross, the front of the cathedral, various coats of arms, and shields. This is a very unique custom. Over these rugs the procession, made up of combined civil, religious, and military displays and demonstrations, passed. Every few steps the procession halted and mass was said.
The islands, except for tourists who come here from England and Germany, and for the commerce with England, are practically isolated from the world. The people are very slow and easy-going.1078
Many do not seem to appreciate the importance of knowing anything but what the church tells them. Although the power of the church is not so great as formerly, yet the priests wield a great deal of power over the people. The work of the message will be slow here. Pray for us and for the few honest-hearted ones who are studying God’s Word at the present time.
