A Visit to Guadalajara by G. W. Reaser

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 18, 1909

A Visit to Guadalajara

By G. W. Reaser

PROBABLY there is not a more beautiful nor a cleaner city in the republic of Mexico than Guadalajara. It is the second city in size in the republic, having a population of about one hundred twenty-five thousand. Of these, six hundred are from the United States, and have located in Guadalajara for various reasons, but principally because of its excellent climate.

Brother and Sister W. S. Swayze have been in Guadalajara for the past twelve years, and have seen the city transformed from the old-fashioned, sleepy metropolis of the Pacific coast of Mexico to a wide-awake, progressive city, with almost every modern convenience.

The large churches in all the principal cities of the republic had convents adjoining the church buildings; but inasmuch as all church property was confiscated by the government, these convents are now used as municipal and government buildings, and the orders of nuns and monks have been abolished by the civil power. The government still permits the Catholics to make free use of the church buildings, although the ownership rests legally with the government.

Dr. Swayze and wife have faithfully held up the standard of truth in Guadalajara, and by their efforts a good medical mission has been established, which is quite well patronized. I am confident that no Americans in Guadalajara have the confidence of the leading people as have Brother and Sister Swayze.

We need additional workers to carry on definite missionary work in this city, which bears the title of the “Pearl of the West.”

Brother W. E. Yarnell is attending the high school in Guadalajara, to acquire the language, and is giving private treatments, and also has a class of students in English, in order to be self-supporting. Through his influence several of the students from the high school are attending some of our meetings.

G. W. REASER.