p. 13 | First Baptism in Portugal by C. E. Rentfro

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

First Baptism in Portugal

By C. E. Rentfro

C. E. RENTFRO

I AM sure you are ready to rejoice with us over the victory of the truth in this sin-stricken country. The man of whom I wrote not long ago has continued to study every night with Elder Schwantes. Better still, his wife, who was a Catholic, has begun to attend the study, and each time has been more interested. About the same time, a younger brother of this man, a boy probably seventeen or eighteen years of age, began to attend. Before long the wife and brother began to keep the Sabbath.

The Protestants soon heard of this, and were aroused, and we were the objects of their wrath. The young man, on going to a Y. M. C. A. meeting, was warned by the chief in that work, who said, “Take care, take care; these people have some good things, but others very bad.” Among other crimes charged us was that of making oil out of peanuts. Many other ridiculous things were said, besides the untruths.

After we had faithfully given them all the points of our faith, these brethren, with Sister Portugal, our English Sabbath-keeper, were ready for baptism, which took place Friday night, about 8:30, in the ocean, at Carcavellos. A number of days before, I told a friend with whom we had been studying the points of our faith, that we expected to baptize a number of our converts. He said, “Tell me when it will take place, and I will go, too; for I should like to see, as I believe in this manner of baptizing.” I promised. The day before the baptism, I told him. Immediately he wrote a card to Brother Antonio Figuereido, saying he wished to see him the next day. He went, and found himself in a snare spread by the Protestants. He sustained a combat of three and one-half hours against two preachers and several other men, and suffered ridicule and false reports at the same time. He was told by them that if his brother, who is under age, should be baptized without the consent of the parents, the police from neighboring villages would take us all prisoners. As we had planned to leave Lisbon at 6:17 for Carcavellos, we went directly to the station. The other two brethren did not appear in time, so we suspected they had fallen into a snare. Part of the company went on, while I started to hunt up the tardy ones, and, if possible, take a later train. Soon I met them coming, troubled in mind, yet determined to go on in the footsteps of our Saviour, seeing full well the hypocrisy of the human hearts of so-called Christians.

The other part of our company were rejoiced to see us appear at Carcavellos. We proceeded together to the seashore, to fulfil the symbol of the death, burial, and resurrection of our Saviour. We were accompanied by some friends from our old home at Carcavellos. At the beach we found the bathing man was still on duty, with his bath-houses open for our reception. After all the preparations were made, we knelt on the sand, while Elder Schwantes invoked the divine blessing upon the baptism and upon the willing candidates, and afterward administered the rite.

The Lord did indeed bless, although the right of possession was fought out inch by inch, step by step, between the Saviour with the heavenly hosts and satanic agencies. Thanks be to our God for the victory. To him be all the praise. The value of one soul, in a country like this, where to be a skeptic is the most popular thing, can not be fully estimated, especially by those who do not know our Catholic fields.

The bathing man assisted in keeping the candidates from being overwhelmed by the huge waves that came rolling in, and was very much impressed with the service. Those who were at the beach at this hour were also glad to witness a true baptism, although it was too dark to see distinctly.

On Sabbath afternoon, September 22, we celebrated the ordinances. With joy we partook of the emblems of our Lord’s suffering, this being the first time in nearly four years for myself and wife. The ordinance of humility was very impressive.

On the twenty-seventh of this month, Elder Schwantes and his family go to Oporto, to open the work, and the middle of October they will be followed by Brother Antonio Figuereido and his wife and little daughter. This brother will continue his present business of selling gas mantels and other fixtures, but at the same time will study and assist in the work there as he can. His brother remains with me, to prepare himself for the work. As he has been employed in the office of the minister of justice, it may be that he will lose his employment. We are hoping to have

our Family Bible Teacher ready to sell.

It is very difficult for a colporteur to earn a livelihood by selling literature in this country. The wages of the laboring men are so small that every bit is used in living. Although we ourselves economize the best we know how, it is with difficulty that we meet the demands of necessity. So the people remain without literature, and in ignorance, while the colporteur remains without his support. We have thought of asking the Latin Union to supply a certain portion of the colporteurs’ support, and let them have a per cent on the books, too. But this reminds us that one half of our funds must come from the United States for the support of the work in our union conference, so extra workers in our field make extra demand. However, we will ask permission of our head workers to allow us to make a call for money to help support at least one colporteur, at the rate of three dollars a week, or one year for about one hundred and fifty-six dollars. What church is willing to support two young workers in Portugal? or what conference would like to take the two for three hundred dollars? Brethren, I beg of you to remember our Portuguese work. We need your prayers and your money. We thank God for the help already sent us by our friends and brethren. We believe that others wish to help.