p. 19 | Facts Which Appeal by W. E. Hancock

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 24, 1910

Facts Which Appeal

By W. E. Hancock

It is the boast of the Catholic Church that she never changes. This is one of the few facts of her history which she is willing to acknowledge unflinchingly, and seems to be proud of it. Her purpose has always been to subject human minds to a system of religion which makes gods of one class of men, and moral slaves of the rest. The two chief means by which this has been accomplished have been evangelization and colonization. The methods employed in both colonization and evangelization have been the same, persuasion and the sword, combined with an enforcement of gross ignorance, in order that by superstition they might allure the blind multitude.

These facts are forcibly shown in the history of every nation to-day which is held in the throes of the Catholic religion. Spain, Italy, Austria, and all the Latin republics of the Americas present the sure results of the never-changing policy of the Catholic Church. In spite of the determined efforts often made by the governments of nearly all these countries toward educational reforms, they have been able to accomplish but little in dispelling the gross ignorance of the masses of people who are held and controlled by the Catholic Church. All the results of ignorance and superstition are to be combated by the missionaries and educators of these countries.

Many of the more enlightened classes of people in these countries realize these conditions, and are sending their children to the “modern schools,” and even to schools conducted by Protestant missionary societies. These conditions present opportunities, which, if seized now, will certainly bring a fruitful harvest to our cause in the near future in these countries.

It has not been without a great struggle that these conditions have been created. The church is holding on tenaciously to the masses. She has not failed to use medieval methods to retain control of the governments where she has held sway. Still she is losing ground. The struggles which these countries are experiencing in getting out of her clutches ought to be a signal warning to Protestant countries to steer clear of her influence.

Many things are done by the present government of Guatemala which fall far short of the standards of the more enlightened people of other nations; but we ought to be thankful that perfect liberty is granted in carrying on missionary enterprises. We should work all the more diligently while we have abundant opportunity.

We need prayerful, patient, earnest workers to begin and work hard, not expecting to make a display. There is great need not only of school work, but also of mission work, and of canvassers. Something ought to be done for the poor, uneducated class. If this kind of work is entered into, results are sure to follow.

The Guatemala English School is giving us acquaintances and friends among the best class of people. If it is conducted so as to be successful, it will certainly be the means of reaching some of this class. This need impressed us as so urgent that we requested one thousand dollars to help us place the school upon the basis which will meet the demands laid upon us in this work. Owing to the pressing needs of enterprises already projected, an appropriation for this work could not be made now. We are glad, however, that Sister Alice Fieldburg has been sent to help us in the teaching work. With the prospects before us, I am sure that the running expenses of the school will be met this year. But we have had to move and to buy some desks, blackboards, furniture for a parlor, and a few maps and charts, all of which we hope will be replaced by donations from those who are interested in this work. Part of the money has been advanced from private means, with the expectation that friends will be impressed to supply the deficiency by donations. To make up this deficiency, we need one hundred fifty dollars. Any one making a donation to the Guatemala English School may send the money to H. H. Cobban, Cristobal, R. de Panama, or to the General Conference, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. W. E. HANCOCK.