Spain by Walter G. Bond

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Feb 1, 1906

Spain

By Walter G. Bond

BARCELONA.—A few days ago one who seemed much interested in the truth asked me to spend Christmas with him in his native village. So we are twenty miles from the railroad, among the rolling hills of the province of Serida, surrounded by lovely olive and almond groves, vineyards, and grain fields. We had to walk this distance of twenty miles, as the roads are so bad that the stage does not run during the winter months. The village is called Granena. It is built on the top of a hill, and is nearly surrounded by a wall. It has a population of between six hundred and seven hundred souls. To me the people are extremely interesting; and although some of them have never bathed in their lives, apparently, not even their hands or faces, yet one can not help but appreciate their kindness and hospitality. They call me maestro, or teacher, and the first thing many of them say, as I go from door to door with tracts and Gospels, is, “Read to us from the Book.” I never before saw people listen with such apparent interest. Several have already expressed themselves as wishing to follow this true religion, but when I tell them that in two or three days I must leave them, they exclaim, sorrowfully, “Who will teach us?”

LATER.—I spent four days and five nights in the place already mentioned. During that time I was kept busy reading and explaining the Bible from morning until late at night. The last afternoon I spent there, a crowd of men listened to the Word for two and one-half hours, and when I had to leave, they pleaded, “Can’t you send somebody to teach us? We want the truth.” One noble old lady said, “God helping me, I am going to keep God’s commandments, including the second and fourth.” O that God’s people everywhere would listen to the crying need of the perishing!

These little inland towns know nothing of Protestantism. There are thousands of such villages here, but where are the laborers? The work here in Barcelona is moving along slowly. Several families seem much interested. A brother, with whom Brother Robinson worked considerable, has just decided to obey the truth. He has discarded both his tobacco and his wine. His decision with reference to the Sabbath has thrown him out of employment. We do not know what he will do to support his family; but God knows, so we look to him.

We beg an interest in the prayers of all God’s people for the work among this needy and down-trodden people. The harvest is ripe. WALTER G. BOND.