Experience of a Native Convert In Valencia, Spain
By Joaquin Matas
It is my duty to let you know the way of salvation which the Lord presented to me, giving him thanks for his love and mercy. While I was working at my trade as barber in Barcelona, in one of the most up-to-date shops, it happened that the Lord presented one of our brethren for me to serve, and while waiting on him, he gave the message of God to me. I thought to myself, “This gentleman must be a missionary;” and the Lord impressed me that I should know this message. This brother presented me to Brother Walter Bond, who showed me how I should serve the Lord in order to have eternal life. I was fully convinced of the Lord’s truth. But there came the question of the fourth commandment, and of the day of the Lord, which is the busiest day in the barber shop. I, seeing the truth so clearly, wished to keep the Sabbath, and the proprietor told me that if I wished to keep the Sabbath, I would be discharged. Then it was that I said, “The Lord will help me.” I was then left without work, and the Lord offered me a place in the work, selling tracts, and I accepted it. After a time I started out alone, with my bicycle, going about sixty kilometers distant, to some towns of the same province. In a town called Ribas de Sab Esteban, which is in a nook of the mountains, I began work with the tract entitled “The Signs of Our Times.” After I had finished my canvass of the place, going from house to house, the women came out of their houses, asking one another what the tract was, and they began to say that I was a Protestant. Having done my duty, I took my bicycle, and started to leave. Just as I reached the edge of the town, I came to a road which is walled in a part of the way, and full of gravel. Here I was compelled to dismount, and lead my wheel. Just then along came a priest and two young monks, bearing lighted lanterns, a golden-colored silk parasol, and an idol. They were going to administer what is commonly called “the last sacraments.” In passing, the priest said, “This man is very indecent not to have taken off his hat.” I asked him why, and he said that he carried “the Lord” in his hand. I answered that to me that was an idol, and did not serve for anything. He then began to shout, saying that I was a Jew. Just then a farmer and some other men came up behind, and said that I would have to go before the judge. I did not wish to be rebellious, and obeyed, and they took me to the town hall, or court-house. There I met an official who was a friend of mine. He wished to know what had taken place. I told him, and that it was caused by my wishing to obey God’s Word. He said I might go, but if I came there again, I must obey the custom of the town. I responded that I would do as God commanded. I then left the town. Brethren, we should pray for these people who are so deceived by the Roman power. I must thank the Lord that he has kept me; for here in Spain, in these mountain towns, if one does not remove his hat for the procession, he is subject to imprisonment. But, brethren, I should tell you that since that date other events of great importance have come within my experience. These I shall endeavor to write of at another time. I write this experience that you may see a brother in the faith, and understand how the Lord caused me to see the truth, and the manner in which he has blessed me. JOAQUIN MATAS.