p. 13 | Portugal Open to the Gospel

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 17, 1913

Portugal Open to the Gospel

The establishment of the republican government in Portugal has brought a new era of liberty, and doubtless of progress, too, for the people. It was feared at first that the comparatively small amount of gospel work in progress in Portugal would be handicapped under the new régime. This has proved groundless. Instead, Portugal is now, perhaps as never before in her history, open to the gospel. The need, too, at present, is urgent, for it is a time of crisis. The Jesuits have been expelled from the country; the people, naturally religious, are loosed from the thraldom that for centuries has kept them in ignorance; and now they hardly know which way to turn. The great danger is that Portugal will become a nation of atheists. Several times on offering Scriptures to the people the reply was: “Nao, Senhor, sou republicano” (No, sir, I am a republican).