p. 18 | Southern Texas by Sumner B. Taft

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 31, 1904

Southern Texas

By Sumner B. Taft

I ARRIVED in Rio Grande, Tex., March 27, 1903. This city is on the Rio Grande River, which forms the boundary between Texas and Mexico. Here Catholicism has long held sway, but notwithstanding the moral darkness which has from the first settlement of the country brooded over this portion of the land, there are encouraging omens. The English schools, which have recently been established here, are educating the rising generation to think for themselves. Many are growing weary of burdensome forms, tired of the padia [priest] who is watchful over them in externals, even to the placing of a finger in making the sign of the cross, yet how careless of the state of the heart and of the life!

Up to the present time I have received two hundred and seventy periodicals, tracts, and pamphlets. Most of these have been used in Rio Grande, Fort Ringgold, and Brownsville, only twenty-seven numbers of the REVIEW and Signs being reserved for use in Camargo, Mexico. Of all the tracts and pamphlets I have used, “Elihu on the Sabbath” has created the most interest. I have ordered some of those tracts from the Texas Tract Society, in order to meet the demand.

Very few of the older Spanish people, of whom the population is chiefly composed, are able to read English. Some can read Spanish, but I have had only English papers. My work would be much more effective if I could have literature in both English and Spanish. Many are willing to read, and the demand for our literature is increasing.

SUMNER B. TAFT.