Our Spanish Literature by N. Z. Town

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Apr 1, 1909

Our Spanish Literature

By N. Z. Town

SINCE the work started in Spanish-speaking countries, the workers in those fields have felt the need of books treating on the different phases of the message, not only to help establish those who came into the truth, but also to use in doing aggressive work. To this end, from time to time, calls for such literature were sent to the Mission Board. There were many difficulties and delays in providing literature for the Spanish-speaking people; but the Mission Board was not deaf to our appeals, nor blind to the needs. About three years ago our joy was great when we received word from the secretary of the General Conference Publishing Department that steps were being taken to publish several of our standard books in the Spanish language.

In order to carry out these plans, it was arranged that the Pacific Press Publishing Association and the Hamburg Publishing House share the responsibility of producing these Spanish books. Steps were soon taken to have “Great Controversy,” “Bible Readings,” and portions of “Home and Health” translated as quickly as possible. This work has gone ahead as planned. Some of the translations have been made by those not of our faith, but a considerable portion has been done and is being done by Prof. G. W. Caviness, and Brother Ed. F. Forga.

Four sections of “Home and Health”—“Diet,” “Care of the Body,” “The Care and Training of Children,” and “The Home Treatment of Disease”—are now ready for the typesetters. The first two and the last-named sections of this book will be published separately in pamphlet form, and the whole four together in one bound book.

Brother Forga is finishing the translation of “Great Controversy,” and Professor Caviness that of “Bible Readings.” The type is also being set on a corrected edition of “New Testament Primer.”

After the Pacific Press took this work, they secured the plates of “Patriarchs and Prophets” from our publishing house in England. These plates were revised and corrected. New full-page engravings were made, and new ornamental headings added, thus making this book conform in every way to the new English edition. It is now attractive and acceptable for circulation.

The Press has also taken a special interest in getting out a number of well-illustrated Spanish tracts. Four of these treat on different phases of the Sabbath question, and the others are devoted to diet and temperance questions. There will also be one well-illustrated pamphlet of about sixty-four pages, giving instruction in regard to natural treatments, how to avoid disease, with special consideration of hydropathic applications. Proper notices of these books and tracts, with prices, will be published, when they are ready.

It was my privilege to spend six weeks at Mountain View recently, working with Brother Forga in the preparation of some of this literature. He and Professor Caviness have done earnest work during the past year in selecting, translating, and preparing Spanish manuscripts. The work they have accomplished will be greatly appreciated by those working in the Spanish-speaking fields.

During my stay at Mountain View neat prospectuses were prepared both for “Coming King” and “Patriarchs and Prophets,” with printed canvasses for each. The Spanish canvassers have been especially anxious for these.

We are grateful for these advance steps taken in the preparation of literature for the Spanish fields. In every land and in every tongue where this message has gone, the circulation of our literature has had a prominent part. What the circulation of the blood is to the body, the circulation of literature is to this message. We believe it will be the same among the Spanish-speaking people. Many to-day are rejoicing in the truth as a result of the circulation of our Spanish periodicals.

Many of our small books have already been circulated in Spanish fields, and have done great good. But we believe there is a great future before the work with our larger books in these countries. During the past year the Pacific Press shipped over sixteen thousand dollars' worth of Spanish books. A company of canvassers who went to Mexico have met with excellent success in selling our books. Brother T. H. Davis, who has charge of the book work on the west coast of South America, is also meeting with encouraging success, and is confident that canvassing with our large books in those countries can be made self-supporting.

At the close of the coming General Conference we hope to have a company of five or six strong men who will return with us to take up this work in the South American fields. If any one who reads this desires to devote his life to this work in some Spanish field, the Mission Board will be glad to hear from him.

N. Z. TOWN.