A Light Kindled in Dark Venezuela
By Rose V. Lane
IN the heart of dark Venezuela, a field which but a few months ago was as yet unentered, a light is now kindled. Very little need be said concerning the spiritual condition of the place, which is wholly Catholic. We find here, as do our workers in other Spanish fields, a most deplorable condition. Idolatry in all its forms flourishes. Man, the masterpiece of God's creation, is bound down and held in the darkness of superstition, fearing to open God's Word and search its pages. “We are too ignorant to read the Bible,” the people say; “the priest must read it for us.” This is what they are taught. They have never realized that God created all men equal, and gave to each talents to be put out to usury. Our hearts ache as we see their condition and realize their great need. But praise be to our great Creator, these chains of darkness can be broken. God has a people to be gathered out of this modern Sodom. We sense our responsibility as ambassadors for God in this heathen land; and we also rejoice that it is our privilege to bring to these souls the light of present truth, which we trust may, in God's own time, lighten many hearts which are now in darkness. We can see evidences of God's working power among us. On coming here, we now had but little knowledge of the language. It was necessary, therefore, to make language study our first work, with the study of the field and the customs of the people. We were here but a short time when we had made many friends, among whom is a Spanish professor, who is teaching us the language. We are now making fair headway, and trust that soon we may be able to speak freely with the people. We realized that we had entered a difficult field, and that to move slowly was to move wisely. Therefore we did but little, believing that God, in his own good time, would reveal to us just how, when, and where we were to begin. This he has done. We had been here four months when one day a man came with some lumber. On passing through the house, his eyes fell upon the old prophetic chart, which we had hanging in a conspicuous place. He inquired, “What do these things mean?” Elder Lane at once made an attempt, in broken Spanish, to explain to him, reading from the Spanish Bible. The man listened attentively, and, saying very little, went away. About two hours later he returned, bringing with him a second man to hear the story. My husband again explained as fully as possible the wonderful truths of God's Word, impressing upon them the importance of studying to know for themselves. They then left, expressing their thanks for what they had heard. The following morning the second man returned with a third, who was anxious to see the wonderful chart, and hear the story connected with it. This brought vividly to our minds the text in Hab. 2:2: “And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” By this we felt the evidence sufficient that the time had come to begin active work. So we arranged for Bible studies in the home, inviting these men to come. They said, “Yes, and we will bring others with us.” Thus the work has started in Venezuela. Though but babes in the use of the language, we felt confident that the same Spirit which had directed these souls to us would also direct in the presentation of the Word. This has been our experience. Much freedom has been given in the use of the language, and God has wonderfully blessed. These men have been faithful, and through their efforts the numbers of interested ones are increasing. At this writing, nine persons have accepted the message,—four adults, one youth, and four children. One man gives fair promise of becoming an active worker in the cause he now loves. He is at present anxiously waiting for some of our Spanish literature, that he may help in spreading the message. Is not this encouraging? We believe that God will raise up others here to engage in this work. Many are becoming interested, and we hope soon to see a strong company here who will keep the commandments of God.