Santa Catharina (Brazil) Conference by F. W. Spies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 24, 1911

Santa Catharina (Brazil) Conference

By F. W. Spies

The sixth annual session of the Santa Catharina Conference was held at Tijucas, a small coast town of about twenty-five hundred inhabitants, April 12-15. Although somewhat out of reach of the majority of the brethren in this conference, Tijucas was selected because of an interest that had been created there by previous work.

The Santa Catharina Conference not having a president at the time, the writer took charge of the meeting. About fifty brethren were present. The evening services were attended by from three hundred to four hundred people, who gave the best of attention to the truths presented. Brother Adolfo Asthesiano, the native Bible worker, remained at Tijucas to follow up the interest, increased by the conference; and the writer hopes to return to spend several weeks. Already some have desired baptism.

Although not very large in numbers, the conference at Tijucas was a season of rich blessing; and as the nearness of the Lord's coming and the need of a preparation for this solemn event were presented to the brethren, sins were confessed and put away. We believe that as those who enjoyed these blessings return to their homes and communicate to others the good things received, the influence of the blessings the Lord bestowed at Tijucas will be far-reaching.

Not having any one in the conference who could be elected to the office of president, the conference starts out in its new conference year without either a president or a minister to look after the four hundred fifty members gathered in ten churches, and the interests which in a number of places demand attention. We hope, however, some one may soon come from abroad to take this responsibility, as we have no one in our union conference who is not now already overburdened with work, and it is consequently impossible for us to provide a man for this field from our union.

The secretary and the treasurer and the conference committee were elected, and all other business of the conference was transacted, with perfect harmony and unity. Although the brethren for the present have no leader in their conference, no one offered a discouraging or complaining word, but all planned to do more than ever before to finish the work entrusted to us. And as the Santa Catharina brethren take up the work for the coming year, we can but say, Dear Lord, bless them, and help them ever to be of good courage.

F. W. SPIES.