In the Near Future by GEO. M. BROWN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 20, 1906

In the Near Future

By GEO. M. BROWN

GEO. M. BROWN

UNDER this title the Mexican Herald, the largest city paper in the republic, printed an editorial in its issue of October 7. After speaking especially of the advancement made in Mexico in recent years, the writer passes to a consideration of the future, from the standpoint of a far-sighted man of the world, whose education, occupation, and facilities for observation peculiarly fit him to speak. He says:—

“Soon Mexico and Guatemala will be united by railway, and this railway will gradually be pushed farther south, for the march of progress is not to be stayed. Within ten or fifteen years the Mexican and Central American railway systems will be practically one, and this vast tropical region will be the scene of an astonishing activity. This whole region from the Rio Grande to Panama is to become a source of supply to the United States and Canada, where, within a few decades, there will be one hundred and sixty million consumers of the products peculiar to the tropics. The financial, commercial, and social capital of this ‘new southwest’ will be Mexico City, which will have grown to a city of more than a million inhabitants.”

Any one who has been in touch with recent developments in Mexico will not consider this picture of future material progress overdrawn; and though the missionary is not primarily interested in the material phase of future progress, he is not to lose sight of the fact that this has a great bearing upon his work, and he should be as wise and far-sighted in planning for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ as men of the world are in providing for the enlargement of their business.

Mexico, because of its size, position, and present advancement and policy, is destined to be the leader among the Latin American nations of North America; and we believe that it is in the providence of God that the work of the third angel’s message has been established at the capital of Mexico. When the railroad system suggested in the quotation above is perfected, Mexico City will be its center, and from this center all parts of the great Spanish-speaking field of North America can be reached without difficulty.

Now, brethren, what is the signification of all this?—Simply that now is the time to strengthen the work in this important center, and prepare workers who will be ready to enter the vast unworked field that lies before us, where there is a population of more than seventeen million souls who are yet to be warned.

The Lord has blessed the work in Mexico, and in many ways there has been marked advancement. New books well adapted for use among Spanish-speaking people are now in course of preparation by the Pacific Press Publishing Company, under the supervision of Professor Caviness, whose long experience in literary work in the Spanish language especially fits him for this important work.

In the few faithful Mexican believers who have been gathered out we see the first fruits of the harvest of souls that remains to be reaped “in the near future,” and we praise the Lord for these precious sheaves which are given us as a pledge of those to be garnered at the great final ingathering.

PRINTING HOUSE AND OFFICE OF OUR MEXICAN MISSION

We are living in the time when the plowman is to overtake the reaper. The work must be quickly done. Now is the opportune time while doors are open on every side. But where are the consecrated men and women who will enter the harvest-field? Jesus said, “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.” Luke 10:2.

In view of the conditions that confront us we are led to call for volunteers who will unite with us in prayer for this work committed to our hands. We suggest that prayer be offered for the following objects:—

1. That the Spirit of God will lay a burden upon those who know the truth of the third angel’s message to consecrate themselves to giving it to the people in Latin America.

2. That God will give faith, wisdom, and courage to those now engaged in this difficult work, that they may be able to make the best possible use of the opportunities which they have.

3. That the Holy Spirit may be given in a special manner to those who are reading and studying the truth so that they may discern it and walk in the light.

4. That God will raise up native workers in these fields to carry the message to their fellow countrymen.

Mexico City.