Conditions in Brazil by F. W. Spies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 19, 1906

Conditions in Brazil

By F. W. Spies

I WISH I could adequately describe the condition of things here. At the earnest entreaties of our European brethren we have decided to allow one of our few, and hence much-needed, workers to go to Portugal. This reduces our force of ordained ministers to three.

The most southern province of Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul, compares favorably in territorial respects to one of our largest conferences in the States. In it we now have located, aside from the president of the conference, who, by the way, has his time almost wholly occupied with the general oversight of the field, one other ordained minister and a Bible worker. The population of Rio Grande do Sul is probably about two millions.

Coming farther north, we have the provinces of Santa Catharina and Parana. In these two provinces, which together are larger than Rio Grande do Sul, we have eight organized churches, and about as many companies, besides a number of scattered Sabbath-keepers. In these two provinces we have no ordained minister, and the only worker in this field is a licentiate.

To visit all the Sabbath-keepers, companies, and churches, and do a pastor's duty by each, would require probably four months for one man, necessitating the traveling of from eighteen hundred to two thousand miles on horseback. As I said before, we have no ordained minister in this field, and it is to this field I am now going.

Two years ago last October, I baptized a company of nineteen in Parana. They have not been visited since, and during this time have not celebrated the Lord's supper. Some who wished to be baptized soon after our leaving at that time, have not yet had an opportunity. Brother Emil Hoelzle, a licentiate, is working alone in this vast field; but the truth is gaining ground in new places constantly. As these places can not, with but few exceptions, be reached by rail, the traveling must be done by mule, and this means slow work. At times swollen streams delay progress for days, and even weeks. The roads being bad, very mountainous and steep, only a small distance can be covered in a day, and even this is often strewn with dangers. Food is scarce sometimes. One would consider bread and water a treat if it could be had. In view of all these difficulties, and the fact that most of the people can not read, does it not seem a wonder, after two years and three months, to find these people still faithful to the truth? Would we find it so at home? What would our churches think in the United States if for more than two years a minister should not visit them? Would all remain faithful?

Going still farther north, we have the large and comparatively thickly settled provinces of Sao Paulo, Minas Geraes, and Rio de Janeiro, including the capital. It is estimated that one half of Brazil's population (about ten millions) is found in the three provinces just mentioned. Here traveling is a little more easy, there being more railroads in the district. In this vast territory, and among these millions, the writer is the only ordained minister, while we have one young brother selling papers in Rio, and Brother A. B. Stauffer has recently moved to the city, Sao Paulo, and is doing missionary work there. Even then, I must spend a good portion of my time in other provinces.

As I remarked in my last report, we have capable men in the Rio church, men of good address and a good knowledge of the truth, but even though the need of workers is so great, we can not send these men forth to preach the message of salvation to the millions who are in darkness, because we have not the means with which we can offer a support to them and their families. They do all they can, but their work is naturally limited on account of the necessity of their working at their trades to earn a livelihood for their families. For some time we have been praying and hoping that the Lord would open a way to set at least one of these brethren to work. Perhaps he wants to use some reader of this report to answer our prayer.

North of the province last mentioned, a large share of Brazil is yet untouched. Twelve provinces have never seen a worker; and they contain about a million souls who are in the darkness of Roman superstition, and in the fetters of sin. Brethren, don't you think this is a needy field? As I review it, thinking of its vastness and of the very few laborers, I feel it is very needy.

We feel deeply over the situation here. May the Lord help his dear people to awaken to the needs of this and the many other needy fields, for soon we may not be able to work with the same freedom with which we are working at the present time; and, further, soon the work will be done, and he that shall come will come, and then all hoarded means will only be a source of sorrow. May the Lord ever guide us to be here in our work, and bless us and all his dear people. F. W. SPIES.