p. 15 | FRANK S. BOND by Frank S. Bond

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 27, 1907

FRANK S. BOND

By Frank S. Bond

Spain

FRANK S. BOND

We are now in the midst of another great Spanish fiesta. This one is being celebrated in honor of San José. When one witnesses the results of one of these fiestas, and takes into account that there are perhaps a dozen or two others after the same order celebrated each year, it is not difficult to determine the cause of the want and misery existing in these Catholic lands.

The present fiesta is of three days' duration. Some of the others run a week or longer. Let us think for a moment what this means to the great majority of Spanish people. Farmers, mechanics, clerks, and bookkeepers receive all the way from twenty to eighty cents or a dollar a day. Out of this paltry amount rents must be paid, the family must be supported, and taxes must be met. Tobacco and wine also play a prominent part in expending the small wage, no matter how small it may be. During these fiestas almost all kinds of business are suspended, as is also the wage. But these poor people must go right on eating, even though it may be fiesta.

On these saints' days special services are held in all the churches, and every Catholic is expected to attend. Special collections are taken, and thus the church employs these occasions for the replenishing of her never-empty coffers.

We believe that some of these eighteen million souls thus bound are honest in heart. The only remedy for such is the gospel as revealed in the messages of Rev. 14:6-12.

It is the custom in Valencia during the fiesta to erect, in different parts of the city, temporary monuments, illustrating various movements, political and otherwise. I will try to give you an idea of one of these which I have visited. It is a steep mountain, around which winds a narrow path. On the peak is a very good miniature likeness of the Eiffel Tower of Paris. Near the tower is a beautiful woman, bearing the French flag. This woman represents the French government. Wending their way down the mountain trail are many great black buzzards, and numerous mammoth bugs, which I shall not attempt to describe. These repulsive-looking creatures represent the curates, friars, monks, and nuns being expelled from France.

At the foot of the trail is a blindfolded man, who is sucking his finger. He, of course, is supposed to be Spain, which is receiving all the above-mentioned outcasts.

The whole thing very vividly portrays the feeling existing in the hearts of

many Spaniards. It seems really wonderful that such an object as described above is allowed to remain two or three days in the streets of a Spanish city. Were such men as the one who designed this object-lesson allowed to rule, Spain would soon have a separation of church and state.

We find that Spaniards are very slow, as a rule, in making changes for the better. Not only is this true in agricultural and commercial lines, but it is also the case in social and religious questions. We are thankful to announce, however, that the truth is beginning to exert an influence here. Several dear souls have recently begun to walk in all the light. Two young men have given up the use of wine and tobacco. We expect to have baptism here soon. Our prayer is that the Master of the harvest may quickly send more laborers into this part of his vineyard.

Barcelona, Spain.