J. A. P. GREEN by J. A. P. Green

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 25, 1909

J. A. P. GREEN

By J. A. P. Green

Mexico

I HAD a good time while at Salina Cruz. I never saw young men more determined to give this message than the two Indian lads there. They committed their canvasses very rapidly, learning them while I read them aloud. I was glad of this, as it gave me more time for hard, practical work. I had them canvass each other, some, of the church-members, and myself, correcting any mistakes. Brother Marchisio translated. I gave them instruction for three days; then I took them out into the field, and worked with them several days. [Brother Green is the general agent for Mexico.] The first few days they did very well. Last week's report was rather small. However, they mentioned in their letter, that though their report was small, they were not discouraged. That sounds good.

We never could live as they do while going through the country. Before I left them, they brought me to their sleeping quarters for that night—a dark old hut, with nothing but an earth floor for a mattress. When I left them to go to Merida, they embraced me, and gave me several pats on the back. I did likewise. Then we shook hands heartily. This is the custom in many parts of Mexico.

These coast towns are good territory for the canvasser. I worked about nine hours, and sold all the literature I had, about forty-eight dollars' worth.

From Salina Cruz I went by land and sea to Merida. I lived the simple life on the way, traveling second- and third-class on the railroad. You can have no conception of what this is, unless you see it yourself. I stretched out on the hard boards for my night's rest. I prepared my own meals the most of the time, on an alcohol stove. It is impossible to be a vegetarian here unless one prepares food for himself. When I reached Merida, I was almost

worn out. It was about 6:30 P. M. From the station Brother Marchisio had a peon bring our baggage to a third-class hotel. When I saw my room for the night, I hardly dared to express my thoughts. O, how dark things were! We climbed up a ladder to get to the room—a room without even a lamp. There was a hard-looking cot. It looked filthy in the dark. Brother Marchisio asked, “Can you stand this for a while?” I said, “Yes,” but deep down in my heart I thought differently. I could see the pleasant, sunshiny room, and good bed, with clean linen, which I once enjoyed. But as I thought of my Saviour, who had no place to lay his head, my heart filled with joy that I was carrying the third angel’s message. I do not altogether approve of our workers’ enduring so many hardships, when for just a little more they could get better quarters. I believe their courage would hold out much longer if they would sacrifice in some other way, and get a better bed to sleep in. However, the paper work is hard, with small returns. One must sell much to do anything. I think the book men can do much better.

Merida is a beautiful city. The people are progressive, very kind, and very rich. Yucatan is the richest state in the republic. The Lord has wonderfully blessed my feeble efforts in this place. The first three days I took orders to the amount of seventy dollars a day. I canvassed the business men, and sold nearly every one of them a copy of “The Coming King.” This would be a fine city for missionary work. Some one must come here.