Entering Spain by Frank Bond; Walter Bond

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Oct 15, 1903

Entering Spain

By Frank Bond; Walter Bond

FRANK AND WALTER BOND

AFTER a pleasant journey through France, we reached the Spanish border about two o'clock, June 22. We had no difficulty in passing the Spanish customs, and in an hour's time we were wending our way through the Pyrenees toward Barcelona. Spanish trains are slow; for though it is only about one hundred miles, it took us almost five hours to make the trip.

En route we met a gentleman who was of much assistance to us in getting acquainted. All the better class here are very hospitable, and as a rule will sacrifice hours to accommodate a stranger. When Brother Wilkinson was in Spain, he met a man who seemed to take quite an interest in our work, and before coming here, his address was given me. The day following our arrival I called on him, and have since taken apartments in his home. After making a few inquiries, we engaged him to instruct us in Spanish. A few days later, at his request, we began Bible studies with him. This morning he encouraged our hearts by telling us that he believed the seventh-day Sabbath should be observed. We pray that his heart may be inclined to obey. He has been a minister for about fifteen years, and has taught several years in college. The general education in this country is at a very low ebb. It is estimated on good authority that seventy per cent of the people are unable to read. This, no doubt, will be a very great hindrance to the circulation of our books. And more than this, nearly all the people are very poor. Wages are so extremely small that it is a struggle for the great majority to get the necessaries of life.

Barcelona is considered the most important city of Spain. It has a population of about five hundred and twelve thousand. Hamilcar Barca, a Carthaginian, according to history, founded this city about the year 237 B. C. It has many beautiful drives and walks, but the majority of the streets are not more than ten or fifteen feet in width. The houses are almost all brick, plastered both inside and out, and are generally five or six stories high. The floor and roofs are usually made of brick also. The city is situated on the shore of the Mediterranean, and has a fairly good harbor. Barcelona is the capital of the province of the same name, which is one of the States of the Catalanian district. The common language of this district is very different from the Castilian. However, almost every one can understand and speak some Castilian. The climate

here so far seems quite like that of California.

The needs of the country are overwhelmingly manifest. This country, so long neglected, should surely be given attention. We would gladly accept a collection of Spanish tracts to use in our work here.

Barcelona, Spain.