Our First General Meeting in Spain by Guy Dail

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 8, 1910

Our First General Meeting in Spain

By Guy Dail

GUY DAIL

At one time, not so long ago, to have talked of holding a Seventh-day Adventist general meeting in the land of the Spanish Inquisition would have seemed merely visionary. However, those who expect God to do wonders on earth, will rejoice to read the report of our first annual gathering in this new mission field. It is another evidence that the third angel’s message is being rapidly carried to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. We regard it as a privilege much to be prized to meet with the thirty-nine Spanish believers assembled here in Barcelona from various parts of Spain, attending their annual meeting. Aside from the two ordained ministers of the field (Elders Walter and Frank Bond), together with their families, and the eight native canvassers and one Bible worker, Elder L. P. Tieche, president of the Latin Union, and Elder C. E. Rentfro and family, of Portugal, were able to be present on this occasion. [The group of believers attending this meeting will be found upon page 12 of the Week of Prayer issue of the REVIEW.]

In seven of the forty-nine provinces we now have believers,—Barcelona, Lerida, Zaragoza, Teruel, Valencia, Murcia, and Lugo, the latter a north-western province. Plans have been laid to enter the provinces of Cuenca, Guadalajara, Madrid, and Almeria.

The efforts of the canvasser have been richly blessed in Spain. The Brothers Bond have done a great deal of colporteur work since their arrival in the country, and a large measure of the success that has attended our efforts is attributable to the blessing of the Lord upon the circulation of our literature. Only about thirty-five per cent of the population can read and write. However, when the third angel’s message gets hold of these people, they learn to read, almost without exception.

The first resolution that was brought up for consideration was one of thanks to God and to the brethren of the Latin Union and of America for the help that had made it possible to hold our first annual gathering in this mission field. I am sure that if all our people in all parts of the world had been present at this time, they would never have been tempted to be discouraged in giving to send the gospel into those regions where it has been totally or partially unknown. All were granted opportunity to briefly express their gratitude, and the meeting was certainly turned into one of praise and thanksgiving. Although our brethren in this field are poor, yet they gave liberally toward the educational fund, raising above four hundred francs in cash and pledges.

Early Sabbath morning, eight persons (seven of whom had been Catholics) were baptized in the Mediterranean; about as many more are awaiting baptism, and seven were baptized in July. Our present membership is sixty-five.

We are glad that Spain has already begun to furnish its quota of foreign missionaries. One of its workers has just recently been voted to Algeria, where he will learn the Arabic, preparatory to working among the Mohammedans. Several more are in training, and we believe that before long, Spain will be furnishing strong laborers for the mission fields.

The workers and the brethren in this country are of good cheer. They recognize the greatness of the task before them, and are especially glad to know that they have a large number of fellow believers in other parts of Europe, in Asia, and in America and Australasia, who sympathize with them, pray for them, and think of them.

Barcelona.