p. 11 | Back to Brazil Again by F. W. Spies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 3, 1910

Back to Brazil Again

By F. W. Spies

F. W. SPIES

ON Nov. 5, 1909, at 7 P. M., our steamer dropped its anchor in the beautiful Rio de Janeiro Bay, and we felt that we had returned home. The voyage had required four weeks, and had been, for the most part, rough. We were heartily greeted by the brethren here the following day, it being Sabbath.

During our absence the good work had not stood still. On that first Sabbath after our return, we found in the meeting several new faces that we had not seen there previous to our leaving, and we were informed that in the meanwhile several had begun the observance of the Lord's commandments, and some had also been added to the church. Aside from this, the way had been opened to preach the truth in Nictheroy. In that place reside several brethren. There were some persons there who were interested in the truths we advocate. These together began contributing toward the furnishing of a small meeting-hall, and when, upon my return, I visited them, I found a nicely arranged and neat little place of worship right in the center of Nictheroy.

While we were glad to see this evident interest and growth, it only increased the difficult problem of who shall labor in this new place. Even before these services in Nictheroy (which lies just across the bay from Rio de Janeiro) began, the only worker in Rio de Janeiro, a native brother, who holds a missionary license, was as busy as he could be with his duties, and could not answer all calls. Now, there are three meetings a week more being held in Nictheroy, and our laboring force is the same. I would not leave unmentioned the fact that the elder of the Rio de Janeiro church does all he can, but, being a man with a large family to provide for, through his business as tailor, he can not spend so much of his time in evangelical effort outside of his church duties as he would like.

As we look through the city of Rio de Janeiro, we find that all sorts of things are being introduced to take the attention of the people. And those who are not fascinated by the world's pleasures and entertainments probably belong to that other class whose hearts are charged with the “cares of this life.”

When we think back to the time when we arrived here thirteen years ago, and compare that time with the present, we feel that we have indeed lost much time in getting to work in the large cities of this country. And even to-day we are doing a little in only two of Brazil's large cities. We very much need more help for the capital, and our daily prayer is that the Lord may send it.

I am now on my way to the general meeting in Espirito Santo, which will soon be held. We ask an earnest interest in your prayers; and may they be answered by the Lord's placing upon some one a burden to come here and help us find the precious souls, which the Master tells us he has scattered around in the large cities.

Rio de Janeiro.