G. W. CAVINESS by G. W. Caviness

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 4, 1911

G. W. CAVINESS

By G. W. Caviness

Mexico

G. W. CAVINESS

It was my privilege to spend the greater part of January and February in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. We now have four small companies in that region, with a membership of about forty. During my stay I baptized eleven.

Years ago a brother received a portion of a copy of our Spanish paper, and was deeply impressed with what he read, but did not know whence it came. Some time later he received a whole paper, which came from the City of Mexico wrapped around some medicine. He then subscribed for it, and for five years has been a faithful reader. He has written me frequently regarding Bible subjects. One year ago I visited this brother in his father’s home. I found he had the ten commandments printed in large letters on the wall, and had been having meetings and Bible studies with his parents and other relatives. On my recent visit, I held several meetings in his father’s house, with an attendance of from sixty to seventy-five, a goodly number standing at the windows listening. I baptized this brother, four of his brothers, and a sister-in-law. His mother and sister are also keeping the Sabbath.

On my arrival this family gave me the most touching reception I ever received. Two of the brothers met me at the station, about a mile away; and when we reached the house, the whole family came to the gate to meet me. After shaking hands all around, the brother began a sweet Spanish hymn of welcome. To the strain of this we marched into the house, and there remained standing until the song was finished, when a short prayer was offered. A Spanish laborer was with me, and our meeting was so tender that it caused tears to come to our eyes.

These people are largely Zapotecan Indians, and are of a serious, religious disposition. It is from this state and race that President Juarez, the great reform president, and also Porfirio Diaz, the present executive, came. These people own their homes, also portions of land which they till; so they are somewhat independent. They offered us a lot on which to build a house of worship. There is a splendid opening for a good work to be done here.

One young man in Pochutla, a telegraph operator, desires to connect with our work. He is very devoted, and had in mind to educate himself to be a priest; but now that he has received the truth,

he desires to fit himself to preach this message. These people are intelligent and capable. All of those baptized are reasonably well educated. Their life and customs are very simple and patriarchal. Of these brethren baptized, only one is married; the others, although twenty-five or thirty years of age, stay at home, work with their father, and obey him like well-trained children.

It was truly inspiring to present the truth to them, and to see the earnestness and eagerness with which they received it. Many were the hearty “amens” as the Word was presented; and frequently after the meeting they would say, “What preaching! How clear! How simple!”

The brother who is laboring here is a good man, but he has had very little experience. He came into the truth from reading, and the only help he has had is the few weeks I have been able to spend with him during the last two years. We greatly need a capable man, who understands Spanish, to connect with the work in this section of Mexico.

From other places come calls for laborers. The canvassers are having splendid success. We expect soon to have an institute, and will have six or more new workers to join the present forces. We are glad to see that the Lord is going before us, and opening up avenues for work. Although there is some trouble in the northern part of the republic, this revolution has not yet interfered seriously with our work. We trust our brethren will remember Mexico, and that the Lord will send forth laborers into his vineyard.

Tacubaya, Mexico.