A PLEA FOR MEXICO by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · May 7, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 19.

A PLEA FOR MEXICO.

By Editor

For years the publishers of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES have been considering the advisability of opening a branch office in Mexico, where religious books and periodicals would be published in the Spanish language. Pastor Dan. T. Jones, who at one time was connected with the business management of this paper, and afterward engaged in medical missionary work in Guadalajara, Mexico, long urged that this be done. Just before his death he wrote this office a long letter entirely devoted to a plea for the people of that country, and to suggestions as to how and where an office for the circulation of literature in their own language could be opened to the best advantage.

Prof. G. W. Caviness, formerly president of Battle Creek College, but for several years engaged in missionary work in Mexico, has strongly emphasized the reasons for establishing such an office. In his plea for Mexico, made at the General Conference held one year ago, he said as follows:—

“We need literature. I hope to see the time when we shall have a printing-press established in Mexico, and when we can have the truth presented in clear, simple language, so that the people can understand and learn it. They are beginning to read. There are public schools now throughout the land.”

At the same General Conference the following resolution was unanimously adopted:—

“That the Pacific Press Publishing Company be encouraged to establish a small branch printing-office in Mexico, also to print such denominational literature for that field as they can handle to advantage.”

At still later dates letters have been received from various missionary workers in Mexico, all indicating that action should be taken at once.

In a talk given by Mrs. E. G. White to the Board of Directors of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, under date of August 21, 1901, the following statement was made:—

“I am glad to hear you speak of Mexico. I am sure that God has a work to be done in that field. It may be hard to see that much advancement is being made; but as in faith you sow the seeds of truth, you will reap a harvest. It is in God’s order that the work should be started in Mexico. Let this work advance. When doors are opened to us, God wants us to enter at once.”

From a letter just received from Bro. A. G. Bodwell, who has been for some time laboring in Mexico, we quote the following:—

“During the month of February I traveled about 420 miles on horseback. The most of this trip was through the mountains, and I had to travel quite slowly. But during that time I received from cash sales and subscriptions for our paper (a small Spanish paper now being published in Mexico City) $152.49. I took 129 paid subscriptions, and sold about $25 worth of papers. The rest was from the sales of various books. By this you can see how hungry the people are for truth. I started in to sell the paper, knowing only a few words of the language, and the Lord has blessed me. I am now within a few miles of the line between Guatemala and Mexico, and expect to return by the way of the Atlantic coast. All through the country through which I have passed, the people are hungering for reading matter; and if a printing-house could be established in Mexico City, it would help to solve the problem of not only reaching people in Mexico, but in the other Spanish-speaking countries also. These people are prepared for the message. They are hungering and thirsting for the printed page, and some of them almost shout for joy to think they can obtain it. We can not afford to wait until others occupy the territory, for then we will find it much harder to reach the people than now.”

It might be well to state right here that Mexico has some thirteen millions of people, while there are between seventy-five and eighty millions who speak the Spanish language. This gives an idea of the work to be accomplished through this agency.

In view of all this, a careful business man, well acquainted with missionary publishing methods, has been secured, and is now at this office familiarizing himself with the details connected with the manufacture and circulation of our literature. Another missionary worker—a young man who has been studying Spanish in connection with his regular course in Walla Walla College, and who has had experience as a canvasser—is also ready to go.

The plan of the publishers is to send a man there to assist the workers in building up the circulation of the paper referred to in the letter from Brother Bodwell, and then to publish needed books as necessities may demand and money is received for that purpose. Further than this, it has been decided to give the “Signs of the Times” readers the privilege of sharing in the blessings to be derived from carrying on the work in this great field. To that end they are invited to send in gifts to the address given below. Reports of advancement will appear in these columns from time to time, together with the names of those making donations. Every cent will be carefully used, and no steps will be taken until money is received. No debts will be incurred in any stage of the establishment and carrying on of this work, and all profits will be used in the further circulation of literature. Who will be the first to respond? Address SIGNS OF THE TIMES, Oakland, Cal.