p. 16 | The Light Shineth in Darkness by F. W. Spies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 7, 1907

The Light Shineth in Darkness

By F. W. Spies

This wonderful truth is still meeting its fulfilment. Some time ago a brother, who is living in Nictheroy (Brazil), which lies just across the bay from Rio de Janeiro, met a man, a Roman Catholic, and talked with him about the Word of God. This man was one of the eighty-four per cent of Brazil's unfortunate ones who can neither read nor write. But he took home to his wife the Bible offered to him, and asked her to read to him from it. At first she did not feel much disposed to comply with her husband's request; but having once begun to read, she soon found herself interested in that before-unknown book, and the more she read, the more this interest deepened.

To make a long story short, I will say she continued to read, and her husband continued for a time to listen. But soon he, not wishing to obey the teachings of God's Word, returned to the smoke and drink habit, from which he had been for a time delivered; and, naturally enough, he wanted his wife also to renounce the Word. But in her case the precious gospel seed had found a good soil. She turned away from her Romish customs, and began the observance of the Lord's commandments, trusting in Jesus and his promises, instead of in the virgin Mary and a host of saints.

When the husband found that the wife would not give up her faith in the Bible, he ill-treated her, and forbade her to have any intercourse with our brethren, hoping thus to extinguish the spark of love for the truth of God; but a few days ago I met this sister for a few minutes only, and found her happy, and confident in the Lord, manifesting an unwonted interest in, and a love for, the truth. In spite of the persecution she suffers at home, she asked to be baptized, and will, we hope, be one of the four to receive this rite in a short time.

Speaking of her husband, she said: “The Lord can do wonders, and I am hoping he will some day change my husband's heart.” This sister's simple faith and earnest, consistent Christian life show that even to-day that light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world can disperse the darkness and error of Roman superstition, and bring light and liberty and gladness. We believe that this sister's case is simply a sample of many others who are waiting to receive the precious light of the gospel as soon as it shall shine upon their pathway. May the Lord of the harvest send forth reapers into this field that is already ripe for the harvest, in order that none of the precious grain may be lost.

F. W. SPIES.