Organization of the Brazil Conference
By F. W. Spies
MAY 10-20, 1902, an assembly convened at Gaspar Alto, in the State of Santa Catharina, for the purpose of organizing the Brazil mission field into a conference. Gaspar Alto is a pleasant little valley, lying about twelve miles west of Brusque, which, in turn, is twenty-five miles distant from the port, Itajahy. The Gaspar church has the distinction of having among its membership the first who accepted the message in this great field. These were brought to a knowledge of the truth by reading the Hausfreund and other literature sent to Brazil several years before a minister came here. This shows what effect the distribution of our reading matter has, and should encourage our people everywhere to scatter the seeds of truth contained in the printed page. The present membership of the Gaspar church is about one hundred and sixty, and one half of this number are considerably scattered. Yet those living at Gaspar entertained the scattered brethren who attended, and about sixty from abroad. The mission school for this great field is also located at Gaspar, and has done a good work. At the conference it was voted to open in the State of Rio Grande do Sul another mission school as soon as the way may open. The difficulty of conducting a general meeting in this field may easily be conceived when we remember that the territory of Brazil is about equal to that of the United States, and that the Sabbath keepers are already scattered over about one half of its inhabited area, with very poor facilities for travel. Notwithstanding these drawbacks the different states were fairly well represented. We had expected to have with us Brother J. W. Westphal, the superintendent of the South American field, to assist us with his counsel, but on account of quarantine he was delayed until about eight days after the meeting had closed. Still when Elder Westphal arrived, nearly all the members of the conference committee were present, and some time was spent in counsel, after which he left us, to visit, in company with Brother Graf, some of the northern states of Brazil. The conference was characterized by the presence of the Spirit of God, which united all the workers, as we believe, on right principles; and we expect the Lord to do great things for us in the future, as we go forth trusting in him. An effort was made to enable the believers in this field to understand that the organization of the conference meant self-government, and such self-government as must begin with each individual Christian. Then, as each one realizes his responsibility to the Lord and to perishing souls, he will do his utmost to support the cause and bear the message to the ends of the earth. Among the recommendations adopted at the conference were the following:— 1. An expression of thanks to the Giver of all good, for the measure of his blessing that has attended the efforts put forth to advance the truth during the time work has been done in Brazil, and pledge a renewed consecration to the work to which the Lord has called us. 2. An expression of our appreciation and thankfulness for the assistance rendered by our brethren at home, enabling us, under God's blessing, to accomplish so much in this field in the work of the third angel's message. 3. We recommend to all laborers faithfulness, on their part, in giving to God his due in tithes and offerings, and in instructing the believers in these things. 4. Inasmuch as we believe that the light regarding healthful living is an important part of the message, we resolve not to employ any laborer who is not in harmony with this important truth. And we further recommend all laborers and believers faithfully to study this subject. 5. Resolved, Not to send any laborers into the field in the future who have not first had a preparation for their work by attending one of our schools, unless the conference committee upon examination should find the person capable. 6. We recommend that our local tract societies settle up their accounts as soon as possible, and in the future do only a cash business when ordering books, etc., from headquarters. Canvassers and other workers are likewise requested to deal only on a cash basis in the future. 7. We recommend greater diligence in the circulation of our different periodicals, especially the Arauto da Verdade, our Portuguese journal, and we further recommend that two canvassers go to Rio de Janeiro, devoting their time to the sale of the Arauto and other periodicals. At the time of organization the Brazil Conference had three ordained ministers, one licentiate, nine church schools, eight canvassers, and fifteen organized churches, with a membership of about eight hundred and sixty. Twelve hundred and fifty dollars tithe was paid in 1901. The following-named officers were elected for the new conference: President, H. F. Graf; Secretary and Treasurer, A. B. Stauffer; Secretary of the Sabbath-school Department, Johanne Rebling.