F. W. SPIES by Frederick William Spies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Nov 17, 1904

F. W. SPIES

By Frederick William Spies

Brazil

F. W. SPIES

It was decided by the conference committee that I should visit the province of Espirito Santo, so I started for that province on June 21, accompanied by Brother Richard Ohm, who was to make Espirito Santo his future field of labor. The trip was a slow and unpleasant one, owing to the poor connections which we made, and not until the night of July 14 did we reach the home of Brother W. Ehlers.

The next evening the general meeting for that province began. It was appointed to continue over two Sabbaths. But the first part of the meeting was but poorly attended, the majority of our brethren having planned to attend only the latter part of it. The preaching of the Word was greatly blessed. The business sessions passed off in harmony and unity until the question came up of having Brother Ehlers, the only ordained minister in the province, go to the Rio Grande do Sul Province to labor. At this juncture there arose considerable opposition. But as the importance and reasonableness of this was placed before the brethren, they finally consented to it. At this meeting the brethren subscribed for a club of fifty Arautos, our Portuguese paper, and donated two hundred and twenty-five milreis, or about fifty-six dollars in United States gold, toward our five thousand milreis fund for the publication of Portuguese literature.

The removal of Brother Ehlers to Rio Grande do Sul would leave this province without the labors of an ordained minister for about a year. Hence it seemed good that we, before leaving the district, should visit the different churches and companies, and see that all things were, as far as possible, in good running order.

We accordingly visited the Santa Joanna district. Here we remained over two Sabbaths, and on the last Sabbath, August 6, it was our privilege to organize a church of twenty-nine members. It was four years since I had been in this section, and I was indeed very grateful to see such a large company as had meanwhile become obedient to the truth.

From Santa Joanna we came to Guandu and Manteiga, where we visited the scattered believers, then came to Serro Pellado. The brethren at Serro Pellado had just finished getting timber ready for a good-sized building, which was to serve as a home for their church-school teacher, and then also as school and meeting-house. The building will no doubt soon be under roof.

From Serro Pellado we visited the companies at Sapucaia and Rio Chucu, then also the church at Santa Marie, after which I started on the return trip. Arriving at Rio de Janeiro, I found that, on account of sickness, I could not do much there at that time, hence I came to Rio Claro, Sao Paulo, and Santa Cruz.

I hope soon to reach Santos, and then go to Rio de Janeiro and finish my work there. I will then return to the work that is awaiting me in the province of Parana.

Although many things seemed strange and dark on this trip, yet it is enough to know that God is in all things that concern his children, and that even these, to us perplexing things, work together for our good. We trust our labors have been blessed of God to the encouraging of his children, and then our desire is fulfilled. Glory be to his name!

Rio de Janeiro.