p. 11 | Persecution in Mexico

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 29, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 38.

Persecution in Mexico

There has come to us directly from Mexico, from a gentleman who is reliable, the following story of persecution, which recalls the Dark Ages. Names and places are given, but these we withhold as they do not affect the principles involved, but may affect parties.

Seven years ago, a young man began work for a Bible society. He was born of Protestant parents and was himself a Protestant. He felt that it was his duty to publish the word of God as far as possible. His work brought to him persecutions because of his efforts to distribute Bibles among the Catholics of the Republic. In one town the people stoned him until he became unconscious. His brother-in-law, and companion in labor, was tied to a tree and stoned to death. The circumstance occurred only one year ago. As the result of his injuries, he was laid up in the hospital for three months. However, this did not affect his courage in the work of the Lord. When he was able, he began his work again. At one time while working on the West Coast in company with an ordained minister, a Catholic mob came to their room, assassinated the minister, but spared his life.

He has recently accepted the great message for this time, planting his feet upon all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

We are told again and again by Roman Catholics themselves that the church never changes. As she has been in the past, so shall she always be. Such incidents as this, in a land where she has power, where for many years her doctrines have had hold upon the people, very clearly point out what we could expect if she were given complete power in the world. We would find that the freest lands would become realms of tyranny. He who has the truth can afford to be fair, nay, more than fair, for he is willing to leave to the great Author of Truth the judgment and final destiny of every soul. He who believes in religious liberty, believes in religious liberty for the other man.