ITEMS FROM BRAZIL by F. W. Spies

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 31, 1900

ITEMS FROM BRAZIL.

By F. W. Spies

“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world,” are precious words of comfort to us in this field. Were it not for the presence of the Lord, and the power of his Spirit, which he has assured us, we might well despair as we see iniquity and wickedness stalking abroad in the land. But notwithstanding all drawbacks and hindrances, the Lord is constantly converting souls to himself, setting free the captives of Satan, and causing them to shout victory over their besetments; and as we witness these things, should not we praise the Lord, and take courage?

Having spent the concluding months of the last year in Rio de Janeiro, the calls from different places made it necessary to go into the interior; and accordingly, December 31, I set out for the state of São Paulo, expecting to return home in four or five weeks. *But the ground I was to visit was to me unknown territory; and when I arrived at Itararé, the first place in my trip, the prospects before me, and also my plans, changed.

At Itararé, however, I met with a new experience. This being a small town, and all its inhabitants being natives, except Brother Zimmerman and one other man, a German also, and not being able to secure an interpreter, I was obliged to speak to the Brazilians in their own tongue as best I could; for when they heard that there was a Protestant minister in town, they came together to hear the gospel. In this, my first attempt to speak the precious message of salvation to the natives, the Lord greatly blessed me; and each evening as I spoke to the people, I realized more freedom, until I soon felt a desire to withdraw from the work among the Germans altogether, and to work only for and among the Brazilians. But this was impossible; for in several new fields there was an interest springing up among the Germans.

So after remaining in Itararé ten days, I baptized two persons, celebrated with them the ordinances of the Lord’s house, and then started for Castro. At Castro I spent five days visiting different ones, and studying the Bible with them. I then came to Curityba. In Curityba I visited and labored with the church, and other somewhat interested persons; and the last night of my stay there one person yielded to the entreaties of the Lord’s Spirit, coming out firmly on the side of truth. I was also glad to see the school conducted by Brother Krämer in a prosperous condition. When I left Curityba, one hundred and fifty-six pupils were enrolled.

From Curityba I went to Rio Negro, where I also found some outside interest, but I could remain only a short time. I celebrated the Lord’s Supper with the two families of believers who live there, and then went on to São Bento. At this place Brother Graf and I had stopped a few days a year ago. I now found quite an interest existing among Catholics. I remained there eleven days, baptizing five persons, and celebrating the ordinances with them. When I left, there were members of four other families keeping the Sabbath. In this section the truth caused quite a stir, especially since the interest began among the Catholics. The Catholic priest spoke against us in a vehement manner. But as the people contrasted the truth we preached with his manner and life, he lost ground with all candid and sensible persons.

From São Bento I came to Joinville, which is a malarious district. I found many, even of our own people, suffering from malaria; and in consequence of this, our meeting was but poorly attended the Sabbath of my stay. Then, too, the heat was excessive. But in my own case the great heat was rather a benefit; for when I started away from home, I took a cold on the train, which settled in my bronchial tubes, and from which I did not fully recover until I got down off the mountains into Joinville. Here, however, in a few days I was soon well again.

As I travel about, exposed to all kinds of weather, constantly changing food, and sometimes receiving almost none at all, amid dangers of different kinds, I can only thank Him who neither slumbers nor sleeps,—him whose hand has thus far safely guided me and kept me from falling. To him be thanks and praise forever. F. W. SPIES.