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MEXICO

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 8, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 19.

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MEXICO

By A. Allen John

More than a year has passed since we came to Mexico, and we are thankful for the mercy of God in permitting us to have a part in the closing work. Probably there is no field more needy, and I trust none more difficult than this. The nominal religion is Catholic, but with the masses it is only paganism baptized. Devout Catholics lament the superstition and fanaticism that are frequently seen.
We have found a few true friends, and we hope to raise the standard of truth, which will sanctify those who accept it. We are spending a few weeks in a village where there are no Protestants, and only one English person. As we learn the ways of the people, we are led to think that many of our people should move to some of the many places that are destitute of laborers, and form small missionary colonies, where, as living epistles, by words of kindness and deeds of love, the true Christ-life would be illustrated before the people. There are many such openings, and we will gladly do what we can to help those who have a true missionary spirit to find them. Missionary farmers, as well as teachers and nurses, would be a great blessing all over this country.
It is an impossibility to reach the people by the ordinary methods in vogue in our native land; but by establishing medical missions, schools, missionary colonies, and the circulation of our literature, while the workers are studying the language and gradually coming in contact with the people, we may hope in time for results. By these methods the work can be made largely, if not quite, self-supporting, which will give great relief to the missionaries and to the home boards as well.
Professor Caviness and his associates have found a good opening near Mexico City, and have won the friendship of some excellent people; but they are in great need of special literature. Brother Cooper is working successfully as a self-supporting missionary. Brother Fattebert also supports himself on his missionary tours.
The Guadalajara Sanitarium is having a good patronage. Many needed improvements were made during the recent visit of Dr. Kellogg. Generally our medical missionaries are too busy to follow up their work. This calls loudly for the united efforts of workers under the Medical Missionary and Foreign Missionary Boards; for medical workers have access to many who could not be reached by other workers.
As a family, we are going to try to be self-supporting workers, and co-operate with workers in both boards for the spread of the special message for our times. It is truly a step by faith; but we are willing to make the trial even at a great sacrifice. We hope to form a nucleus of a colony, and to organize and maintain a school for the blind, and thus come in close contact with the afflicted and destitute, leading them, as we may be able, to the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. We are seeking wisdom from above to guide us to the right locality, and shall hope to have the prayers of those who prevail with God. If the work succeeds, we will give God the glory; for from a financial and human standpoint there is nothing flattering in the prospect. If we fail, it will be due to a lack of faith; for the common people's great need is our only reason for such an undertaking. The work in this field must go forward, and a Christian grave in Mexico is just as sacred as in India or Africa.
What more can I say for Mexico? A liberal, noble man, General Diaz, has been renominated for another four-years' presidential term. We must get a strong foothold here during that time, and by loving service prove that we are worthy of love and confidence. As we were about to leave Guadalajara, not knowing where we would settle, the wife and daughter of a famous Mexican general said, with tears in their eyes, “Go to Mexico City, and live in our house until we return, and it will cost you nothing.”
The Mexicans are a warm-hearted, social, hospitable people, and want associations of that kind—people to live among them as being of them.
In many places the climate is almost perfect; in other places it is pestilential. Anyone contemplating moving to this country for service or for health should correspond with those who have lived here. In this field people who can support themselves and simply live out the truth would be true missionaries, no matter what their age or nationality. Read again the words from the servant of the Lord:—
“Salt must be mingled with the substance to which it is added; it must penetrate, infuse it, that it may be preserved. So it is through personal contact and association that men are to be reached by the saving power of the gospel. They are not saved in masses, but as individuals. Personal influence is a power. We must come close to those whom we desire to benefit.”
“Instead of congregating together, and shunning responsibility and cross-bearing, the members of the church should scatter into all lands, letting the light of Christ shine out from them, working as he did for the salvation of souls, and this ‘gospel of the kingdom’ would speedily be carried to all the world.”
“Christ accepts, O so gladly, every human agency that is surrendered to him. He brings the human into harmony with the divine, that he may communicate to the world the mysteries of incarnate love. Talk it, pray it, sing it; proclaim abroad the message of his glory, and keep pressing onward to the regions beyond.”—‘Mount of Blessing.’
A. ALLEN JOHN.