A New Republic by C. E. Rentfro

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 1, 1910

A New Republic

By C. E. Rentfro

C. E. RENTFRO

In the rise and fall and overturning of the nations we see the hand of God, who rules upon earth, though his throne is in heaven. In Revelation 17 the prophecy tells us that at some time in history the nations represented by the ten horns are to turn against the Papacy. The Suevic horn must sooner or later do its part. Certainly Portugal, the country of the Suevi, has just given the Papacy a blow.

A long series of occurrences denoted the gathering of forces for a crisis. Finally, when the hands pointed to the hour, the clock struck. On Monday evening,

just as we were preparing to open our meeting, a newspaper boy came by, crying, “Assassination of Dr. Miguel Bombardo!” I said to myself and to others, “This is the beginning of the revolution.”

This man was the director of the institute for the insane, recently elected deputy of parliament, and a popular freethinker, opposed to clericalism. Although preparations had been made for an armed revolt, his death caused the outbreak perhaps sooner than it was expected. To-day, October 6, the banner of the republic floats over all public buildings, forts, and soldiers’ quarters in and near Lisbon, and in many cities and villages throughout Portugal.

Tuesday morning, Oct. 4, 1910, about 1 A. M., the first attempt began by an assault on the barracks of the 16th infantry, which in a body opened the doors, letting in the populace, to whom were delivered the arms. The colonel was killed, and the soldiers went out commanded by noncommissioned officers. The signal given was three cannon shots from war-ships in the river Fagus.

Other regiments joined the revolution, and the conflict was on. The battle raged until Wednesday morning, when the republican banner was raised on the barracks and over the city council chambers.

All day on Tuesday I was trying to get to Lisbon, to see how the brethren were faring, but no one could pass. On Wednesday morning I was trying to find a way to enter when salutes for the new banner, and the proclamation of the republic, were fired.

Returning to a station outside the city, I boarded the first train entering Lisbon after this. What rejoicing! Such enthusiasm I never saw. Those who do not know this people might expect terrible things; but those who were directing affairs had confidence in their friends, and the city was thrown open to all. Every one breathed a sigh of relief.

I visited most of the brethren, who had much to recount. No one slept during the two or three nights of the combat and suspense. The bursting of shells and the booming of cannon were all that one would expect in a revolution. If we, at about seven or eight miles’ distance, heard the cannon, they, when the shells burst above the buildings, were shaken and badly frightened. God mercifully protected them from harm.

Our transference from the kingdom of Portugal to the Portuguese republic was accomplished in less than forty-eight hours.

Life is protected; liberty is granted; no one is to be molested for motive of religion. We ask the prayers of God’s people in behalf of this new field of labor, that we may know how to make use of the blessing of freedom from priestly domination that has come to this people.

Lisbon.