p. 18 | North Brazil Mission by F. W. Spies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 25, 1907

North Brazil Mission

By F. W. Spies

On Sabbath, December 29,—the last Sabbath in the old year,—a number of brethren from the Rio de Janeiro church crossed the bay to Nichteroy. After uniting with the brethren of Nichteroy in a baptismal sermon, all repaired to the beach of Icaraby, in order to bury two dear souls with their Lord beneath the blue waves of the Atlantic. There being no convenient place within reach for the candidates to change their clothing, a small tent had been pitched for the purpose.

We have for some time been holding meetings in Nichteroy. At first the attendance was fair; but as the testing truth was presented which compelled people to decide either for or against it, we were made sad by seeing many turn their backs upon it, and, as in the Saviour’s day, walk no more with us. Some of the seed also seemed to have fallen on stony ground; for a few who were moved to begin the observance of the Sabbath, later on ceased its observance. We still hope that some of these may yet decide to walk in the light they have received. Two other souls have requested baptism in Nichteroy, and will probably soon be baptized, while some others are keeping the Sabbath.

Catholics who once get interested in the Bible, and are unprejudiced, see the claims of the fourth commandment more easily than many Protestants.

January 5—the first Sabbath of the new year—we celebrated the ordinances of the Lord’s house, in the Rio de Janeiro church, on which occasion those baptized, and also another sister from Nichteroy, who had formerly been a Baptist, were taken into the church. There are some in Rio also who are expecting to be baptized soon.

The meeting at the time of the ordinances was a blessed season, and the Lord revealed to some, during our study of the Scriptures, that we should not judge our brethren, but strive for unity, and, instead of criticizing, do all in our power to bring the light to others. This Sabbath was a season of blessing, and the second one—our missionary Sabbath—likewise.

We here pass through about the same experiences as all others in other parts of the world. Satan tempts and tries to weaken the Lord’s people; but the Lord, by his Spirit, gives the victory to all who earnestly seek for it. We can say the work is onward. Calls are coming for the living preacher from a number of places. But where are the workers to fill them? Until now I have been alone in this vast field. May the Lord send reapers into this harvest.

F. W. SPIES.