LETTER FROM MEXICO by George E. Henton

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 1, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 40.

LETTER FROM MEXICO

By George E. Henton

Editor Signs of the Times: The recent issue of the Signs containing Brother Jones' plea for funds for this field has just reached us, and you may be sure we are much interested in it. I am sure if those of our brethren who are in possession of surplus funds could but look upon the conditions we find here, and realize as we do that this country with its millions of inhabitants must be largely warned by the printed page, then, and only then, would they properly appreciate the fact that God had loaned them these means He is now calling upon them to place in mission funds.

I am strengthened in my opinion regarding the necessity of establishing the work here, by the united voice of our corps of laborers who have been here for a number of years. It is generally believed that the ordinary plans used in our home land are of but little practical use here. The grown people, so steeped in ignorance, vice, and Catholicism, can rarely be helped. And wherever any fruits are seen, or hopes of fruit felt, it is among the young children and youth. For many years the administration has been putting forth earnest efforts for better educational facilities. Schools are being established everywhere, and compulsory education laws have been passed. The young people take kindly to education, and seem eager to grasp anything along the lines which will raise them above the life of the peon. What better method could we employ than the establishment of a printing press on such a scale that it would be at once employment and a means toward learning methods of self-support, and what is far better, the truths of the Gospel?

We see a practical application of this thought among the different denominations. They find their greatest success along these lines. Where our Spanish paper is now printed, the Methodists employ nothing but Mexican help from the foreman down. Of course I do not think their work is beyond improvement, but I have been agreeably surprised at what they can be taught to do. As a rule, they readily fall into the habits of their employers. They may not so readily grasp all we do, but they are so grateful for employment, that they are usually ready to do all you ask of them.

Whenever employed they usually conform to all rules and regulations, and in this way we would hope to bring them under the influence of church and Sabbath school. Then it is not unreasonable to hope that our business might grow so large as to make

a night school necessary. And in this we could wield a greater influence over the young. These few reasons are only secondary to the great work before us—that of publishing present truth.

A few items may strengthen the interest of our people in this field: Mexico claims thirteen millions of people. Then there are the Spanish speaking countries lying south of us, and most easily reached from this country, whose millions (I have not the data at hand to state numbers) must also have the truth in their own tongue. In order that it may reach them in the idiom of the language it must be published in their country. Hence the importance of establishing an office here that will supply the great need.

We have a man who has spent five years in the study of the language, and is eminently fitted for the work of editing, and the translation of our books into Spanish; and with those already on the ground to set the machinery in motion, you can see how urgent is the plea.

We have seen some of the leadings of the Master already. Had the money been at hand we could have purchased a plant admirably suited to our needs, nearly new, and complete as far as printing goes, at less than half the cost. With the addition of bindery and foundery we would be in a position to turn out complete books in the excellent style and finish of our literature. Does not this stir you to contribute, and thus share in the work outlined above?

The writer never before so longed for ready means of his own. The plant would surely have been purchased, and the Lord and His people trusted for the rest. I have reason to believe that there are those upon the Pacific coast alone who could individually furnish sufficient to start this work off. And I believe with such commercial work as we could obtain without detriment to the message, we could make the publishing work self-supporting. And yet, if after our best efforts we found it impossible, who would say withdraw, and abandon the field? No one, I am sure.

So, while we are thankful for the donations already reported, we trust that others will come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty, and enable us to get the plant we need and begin in earnest the publishing work in this great Republic.

Fully believing that the Lord can and will move upon the hearts of a sufficient number of His people to meet this demand, we are confidently trusting Him. And while we may not be able to secure the office mentioned above, yet our God is abundantly able, and what we finally have to pay more must serve as a penalty for being dilatory. And He may have other openings in store. Who knows? Yours in the hope of His soon coming kingdom, GEO. E. HENTON.