A Glimpse of Barcelona by Frank Bond; Walter Bond

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Aug 4, 1904

A Glimpse of Barcelona

By Frank Bond; Walter Bond

FRANK AND WALTER BOND

In the minds of those familiar with Spain's history, it is natural that dark, foreboding pictures should arise. There is no expression in our language more indicative of all kinds of cruelty than “Spanish Inquisition.” Many thousands who accepted the doctrines of the Reformation suffered martyrdom at the hands of that, the cruellest of all institutions of the Dark Ages. The greatest of all reformations is now going to the world. He who is the central figure in this great movement, bids us as a people, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” and assures us, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” In this injunction every country, and every part of every country, is included. No matter how severe may have been the persecutions inflicted upon God's people in these dark lands in past ages, when the Lord by his Spirit impresses his servants with the importance of sacrificing home, loved ones, etc., and going to these fields, it certainly is time to think seriously of going. We may ever rest assured that the Holy Spirit will not impress us to do a thing unless that thing is in harmony with the mind of God.

How blessed it is to be in a position where one can appreciate the verification of that promise, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world,” the constant companionship of Christ.

Spain is a beautiful country, a land of sunshine and flowers. With the exception of Switzerland, it is doubtless the most mountainous country in the world. To the traveler there is not that monotony of scenery found in some lands. The scene is continually changing, mountains, valleys, hills, and plains all come in their turn in quick succession.

Most of Spain's inhabitants live in the cities and towns. The country districts are very sparsely settled.

As a general rule, Spanish architecture is antique in appearance, and the cities are compactly built. Narrow streets are characteristic of the country. Nearly every town, however, of a few thousand inhabitants, has its paseo, or rambla. This is usually a broad street, in the center of which is a walk for pedestrians, and on either side are one or two rows of beautiful shade trees.

Barcelona has one of the most interesting parks we have ever seen. It is not so large as some, but is unusually original in its construction. It also has an interesting collection of animals from various parts of the world.

This certainly is a productive country, although it has been under cultivation for hundreds, yes, thousands, of years. True, the country is far behind the times in many respects. The benefits that may be derived from the plow, the cultivator, the mowing-machine, the reaper, the harvester, and the thrashing outfits of more modern lands are here unknown. The swarthy paisano may be seen harvesting his grain with the old-time hand sickle or scythe, and thrashing it with a flail, or treading it out with oxen on a summer's thrashing-floor.

Great ignorance prevails. This, of course, is due to the fact that Rome has had her dominating, soul-destroying influence over this country from the very first. Almost all are baptized into the Catholic Church; but a large majority have lost confidence in her, and have turned to infidelity and atheism. We have recently published a few thousand copies of two tracts, and the last few days have been experimenting, to see how these would sell. We have realized a marked degree of success. God has blessed the effort, enabling us each to sell from one hundred to one hundred and twenty tracts in five or six hours. A young lady, sixteen years of age, who has accepted the truth, has taken up this work, and is also meeting with excellent success, one day selling ninety-five in a few hours.

Thus far we have been able to meet only a few people in a small province of this great country. There are yet many millions who have never heard of this last-day message. The people in their homes are, as a rule, very hospitable, and the canvasser is generally well received. Are there not many strong, consecrated young people who should take up canvassing in this needy field? This country has an excellent climate, and its fruits are noted the world over, but its inhabitants are perishing having no hope, and without God in the world.

We pray that erelong many laborers shall enter this languishing field, to help carry the everlasting gospel to its people.

Barcelona, Spain.