Tent Meetings in Brazil by F. W. Spies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 29, 1915

Tent Meetings in Brazil

By F. W. Spies

F. W. SPIES

Ever since the work of presenting the third angel's message to Brazil's millions began, the question of how to reach the inhabitants of the large cities has been studied. Efforts were made to induce the people to attend services at our various meeting places, and halls were rented in which to hold lectures; but owing to religious prejudices on the one hand and scorn and persecution on the other, it was hard to get even a few to attend such meetings.

In the early part of last year a series of tent meetings was begun in connection with our union conference session at Santo Amaro, a small suburb of Sao Paulo. This series of meetings was a success, and a church was raised up as a result. But still the question remained unanswered, Will the tent also solve the problem for our large cities? Experience, however, seems to be demonstrating that the large meeting tent is the way by which we can reach the multitudes living in our large cities.

Tents are at present being used in the two largest cities of Brazil, one in the capital, Rio de Janeiro, with a population of over a million, the other in Sao Paulo, with 350,000 inhabitants. In the former place, where the tent is pitched in a suburb, from 125 to 150 have been attending. In Sao Paulo, where the tent is pitched in a much-frequented part of the city, from three hundred to four hundred is the usual attendance. So far the best of order and attention has been observed by those in attendance, and we are not only greatly encouraged, but very thankful, that the tent offers a means of reaching hundreds at a time with the message, even in Catholic Brazil.

Both tent companies use the magic lantern to quite an extent in illustrating the subjects treated, and this, of course, tends to increase the interest.

In conclusion, I would remind our brethren and sisters at home that the prayer of the righteous availeth much, so do not grow weary in praying for the work in these mission fields. All the workers in all the fields need your sympathies and your prayers, and it is a source of great encouragement to them to know that you are praying for them.