A Plea for Tampico, Mexico
By H. A. Robinson
I NOTICED an article some time ago in the Signs of the Times which mentioned the fact that an experienced brother from the Pacific Press Publishing Company, of Mountain View, Cal., had been sent to Mexico City to take charge of the printing and publishing work in that place, and that two others had also gone down to help in the canvassing work. An article in the REVIEW also mentioned the number of books that had been translated into Spanish and shipped to Mexico City. All this is good, but have any noticed that these efforts are all confined to Mexico City? Just think! in a country16almost as large as the United States, there are but three mission stations, — Tacubaya, San Luis Potosi, and Guadalajara. It is true that the work has been going on steadily in Mexico City, and good results have been attained; but is there not some one who would like to start the work in another district? There are but four Adventists here [in Tampico], and one of these is going back to the States this fall, and another at Tampico Alto, seven miles from here. The people are by no means religiously inclined, and in our spare time we have given them some papers, but this is not sufficient. What they need is painstaking teaching or constant reading work. All the clerks in the stores work every day, except for about four hours from 2 P. M. to 6 P. M. on Sundays. The majority of the people seem to have heard the gospel, but have not given it very much attention. There are many who simply eat, sleep, work, and go to amusements. I once spoke to a young man about the life he was leading, and what he thought of the hereafter. He told me that he didn't care anything about the hereafter. All he had to do was to work, get money, spend it, and have a general good time, until death comes. I could do nothing for him. Another told me that he believes he will die just as a dog dies,— that there will be no hereafter. I make this appeal specially for Tampico, as I believe this is one of the most needy places in this large and rising republic. The city is growing in business, population, and importance every day, and is expected to be the most important city in the republic within a short time. Its late growth has been due to its excellent facilities for shipping, which are the best in Mexico. Goods are received from consignees all over the world, shipped by one of over thirty lines of steamers, landed here, and then conveyed by rail to all the important manufacturing and mining districts inland. It is situated in the midst of agricultural districts, and is visited by American farmers every fall and winter, most of whom buy land, and then return in the spring to stay. There is an opening here for an English school, and any teacher coming would get no less than a score of English-speaking children the first day the school was opened. Many from the surrounding country would also send scholars as soon as they found out about it. I hope I have made conditions clear. To any who desire more information on the subject, I shall be glad to give all I can. We always pray for the people here, and also that some one may be sent them soon. I now make this call in writing. Who will answer?