Our Opportunity in Mexico by G. W. Reaser

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 4, 1909

Our Opportunity in Mexico

By G. W. Reaser

BANANA BOATS WAITING FOR STEAMER, HONDURAS

A FULL century prior to the first English settlement in the United States, the Spanish adventurer, Cortez, conquered Mexico, unfurling the emblem of Spain and the banner of Roman Catholicism for the first time upon American soil. The Spanish Inquisition soon followed, for the punishment of heretics and for the conversion of the “stubborn.” The terrible autos-da-fé claimed their victims down to the year 1821, or thirty-one years after they were suppressed in the Old World.

Every lover of liberty and all Protestants have occasion for special gratitude that Providence has placed President Diaz at the head of the republic of Mexico. Winning the highest office in the republic, he proclaimed civil and religious liberty for all, and, at four-score years, still administers his government as a liberal and progressive reformer. Never were the conditions so favorable for the spread of the religion of Jesus Christ as now.

Doubtless the paramount need of our Mexico Mission is a training-school for the development of workers. For this we are pleading. In addition to our dispensary work already begun, a small health institution, modestly equipped, would be a light center for the gospel of health in the land.

The chief human agency in our work up to the present has been our Mexican paper, El Mensajero de la Verdad, issued from our publishing house in Mexico City. Through this monthly paper the seeds of truth have been scattered in many parts of the republic, and fruit is appearing.

1. PANAMA PRINTING HOUSE AND CHAPEL
2. CHURCH AND MISSION HOUSE, GEORGETOWN, BRITISH GUIANA — PANAMA PRINTING HOUSE AND CHAPEL

CHURCH AND MISSION HOUSE, GEORGETOWN, BRITISH GUIANA

One of the most encouraging features of our work during the last year has been the success of our evangelistic book canvassers. About the middle of July, 1908, four young men from California, acting upon the invitation of our Mission Board, arrived in Mexico City, and, after a brief time spent in memorizing the canvass in the Spanish language, began work in the capital among a strange people who spoke a strange tongue. One of them soon fell ill, and laid down his life on the altar of service. The success of the other three has been little short of marvelous. And this in the city of Mexico, where it was considered impossible to sell large books.

One difficulty that confronts us is that there are about one hundred eighty dialects in common use by the various tribes of primitive Mexicans. In some cities at least three separate dialects are spoken, each of the three tribes occupying a separate portion of the city.

Notwithstanding all obstacles, our workers and believers in Mexico are inspired with courage for the future.

G. W. Reaser.

Mexico City.