F. W. SPIES by F. W. Spies

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 4, 1902

F. W. SPIES

By F. W. Spies

Brazil

Soon after the close of our good general meeting at Brusque, the writer, accompanied by Dr. and Mrs. A. L. Gregory, Sister Emilie Kauling, and several brethren, started for the southern part of the Province of Santa Catharina. Dr. and Mrs. Gregory were traveling overland to the Province of Rio Grande do Sul, which they expect to make their field of labor; while Sister Kauling was going to Rio Novo, to take charge of a church school. The first part of our trip was rather unpleasant, owing to rain. For several days we were obliged to ride almost half the time each day in the rain. The latter part of our journey passed off as comfortably as could be expected in Brazil; that is, after riding all day, we had the privilege of sleeping on the floor in some settler's house, with only such things for bedding as we had with us.

June 17, after a trip of eight and one-half days on horseback, we arrived at Rio Novo. Here we have a church composed mostly of Lethonian people. In addition to her school duties, Sister Kauling will assist this church, as she is of their tongue. We remained at Rio Novo a week, during which time we had meetings daily. A few patients came to consult Dr. Gregory, and a few also had some dental work done. The health and temperance principles presented by Dr. Gregory caused quite a stir in the community, for wherever one touches the appetites of the people, they usually grow very zealous to defend and excuse their bad habits.

From Rio Novo we visited the churches at Mae Luzia, Linha dos

Antos, and Linha Torres. At each of these places Dr. Gregory spoke to the people on the principles of right living, and we hope that much good was accomplished by his talks. The remainder of our company then went on to Rio Grande do Sul, while I visited the believers at the Jundia River, and then returned over the territory already mentioned, putting in order such things as needed attention in our churches; for at one place the elder had apostatized, taking several families with him.

At Linha dos Antos we organized another church school, and also took the initiatory steps toward organizing a church. I also had the privilege of baptizing two souls, and of receiving them with three others who came to us from the Baptists, into church fellowship. On the way home we rode four days out of our way to meet with several families of Sabbath keepers who had not been visited for two years.

On the whole, this trip was of great blessing to me. I was strongly impressed with the need of medical missionary workers, or rather, with the need of each worker's being acquainted with simple methods of treating the sick; for but few people can be found with even comparatively good health.

May the Lord abundantly bless the workers already in this great field, and add many more to them; for truly the field is white unto the harvest.