Spain by Frank S. Bond

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 28, 1906

Spain

By Frank S. Bond

REUS.—After a very pleasant voyage, I, in company with my wife and little boy, arrived in Barcelona on the morning of May 13. We thank our Heavenly Father for his care over his children. We are thankful for the privilege of being once more at the battle's front, and trust that by the help of him who has never lost a battle, we may be the means of warning many.

The work in Barcelona and Sabadell, in which my brother and his wife have been engaged during the past six months, is gradually going forward. Several dear souls have recently begun to walk in the light, and quite a number of others are much interested.

Last Monday morning my brother, two of our canvassers, and I started on a canvassing tour with a good supply of the tract, “The Signs of Our Times.” We stopped in the town of Villanueva, where we worked until about noon to-day. We met with a good degree of success, and we pray that as the seed is watered by the Spirit, some fruit may be the result of our diligent effort.

My brother returned to Barcelona to-day to do some visiting, and to carry on the regular weekly meetings which are held on Thursday and Sunday evenings and Sabbath morning in Barcelona, and on Sabbath afternoon and evening in Sabadell.

The rest of our company came on to Reus. This is quite an enterprising city of about thirty-five thousand inhabitants. It is about one hundred and twenty kilometers south of Barcelona, and is located in a large fruit country. The surroundings are beautiful, but after getting a good start in selling tracts we found that the enemy had been at work in a very vigorous manner. The chief of police chanced to be where we were selling, and upon learning what we were doing, forbade our selling any more without permission from the mayor. He even threatened us with imprisonment should we go on selling. I assured him that we wished to be in harmony with the government. We called at the city hall twice, and at the private office of the mayor once, and after the officials had read a part of the tract and discussed its contents, we were finally informed, by the secretary of the council, that at present they have more of their own religion than they need, and that they could not grant us permission to carry on our work. Tarragona is the capital of this province, and if we can get permission from the governor, who resides there, then we shall also be able to work this place.

Our prayer is that the Lord may give us wisdom in meeting these men in high official standing. We ask the prayers of God's people for the work in Spain, and for these young canvassers that they may not become discouraged. This has afforded us food for much thought in our evening devotions. We are of good courage. FRANK S. BOND.