p. 10 | G. W. CAVINESS by G. W. CAVINESS

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 19, 1911

G. W. CAVINESS

By G. W. CAVINESS

Mexico

G. W. CAVINESS

During the months of October and November it was my privilege to visit the companies and workers in the northern part of this republic. In San Luis Potosi I found the brethren of good courage. We now have here a good place for meetings. A school was opened last September, and is now paying its way. A teacher was obtained from College View, Miss Bertha M. Lewis, and she, with her sister, is engaged in the work here. The school consists of fifteen students, whose tuition pays the teacher's salary and the rent for the room. This school is for the benefit of the English-speaking children. It will be a help in giving us an influence and acquaintance with a number of the people. The teacher is studying Spanish, so that later she will be able to be of use in the Spanish work.

About fifteen miles in the country from San Luis Potosi, is a company of believers. I visited them, and held a few meetings. They all seemed to be of good courage, and there is an interest on the part of others to hear the truth. Some one ought to spend a few weeks with this company. They very much need a place in which to hold services, and we expect to erect a little chapel there soon.

In Moctezuma, less than two hours' ride on the train from San Luis Potosi, live a brother and his wife who, for a number of years, have been doing what they could to give the truth to their neighbors. During the five days I spent with them, we had good meetings, a number of their neighbors attending. I had the privilege of baptizing four at this place, so that we now have here a little congregation.

In Visnaga I had the privilege of dedicating a little chapel. We bought a small lot with a building on it. This we repaired, and it is now used for a place of worship as well as a school. There is no school here except ours. About fifteen boys and girls attend it. It did me good to spend a few hours in this school, and hear the bright little fellows read, and see their ability in writing and in number work. The teacher gets only seven dollars and a half a month, but I am sure the good that is being done is worth many times the amount of money spent in this enterprise. The building, with something like two acres of land, cost us two hundred fifty dollars. The brethren in Mexico, although very poor, paid fifty dollars; a brother gave twenty-five dollars; this, with a few other donations, reduced the expense for the mission considerably.

There is but little work for the brethren here to do except farming. The usual wage is only thirty-seven cents (Mexican) a day, and much of the time there is no work even at that. This year the corn crop was almost an entire failure. One brother supports himself, his wife and child, and his mother and a widowed sister, on only fifty cents (Mexican) a day. One can scarcely realize the poverty here. The brethren tried to make me as comfortable as possible, giving me the best they had, which was a few boards laid across some benches, and a very thin, short mattress. The bed was so short I had to make an extension with a box, then roll up in my blanket, and go to sleep.

At another place it was impossible to find a bed of any kind, so I was compelled to sleep on some sacks laid on the ground. I have learned to do as the Mexicans do, and so now carry a blanket with me, and by rolling up in this I am able to sleep almost anywhere. When one considers the poverty of these people, to give fifty dollars was certainly very liberal of them. They also paid for the bell, which cost twelve or fifteen dollars. Some of them gave the last penny they had in order to secure that.

There are some in this place who desire baptism, but have been waiting until the opposition of their relatives should calm down somewhat. We shall soon be able to baptize more. The work in Visnaga is mostly the result of the faithful labors of Brother A. Marchisio, who is now trying to look after the interests in San Luis Potosi, Moctezuma, Mexquitic, and Visnaga. The work is really more than he can do, and he must have help.

In Torreon I found the company still earnest and full of courage. While there, I baptized five persons; we also celebrated the Lord's supper. Brother Robles has been stationed at this place, and there is now a good interest to hear the truth.

In Gomez Palacio, about three miles distant from Torreon, and connected with it by a street-car line, is another company. A doctor, a Protestant, raised up quite a company here on his own responsibility. Our brethren found him, and began to teach him the truth. At first he did not care to hear, but later he became convinced and accepted all. He then asked us to preach the truth to his congregation. This we did. Brother J. F. Blunt began meetings; after that I visited them. When Brother Blunt returned to the United States, Brother Robles was sent to look after them. On a former visit I baptized two, and this time fourteen. We now have here a good congregation, with prospects that it will grow. The doctor desires to join us, and give his life to the work.