AN APPEAL TO THE SOWER AND REAPER.
By C. D. Crosby
“Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest.” Matt. 9:38. The writer has recently completed a journey of several thousand miles through the western part of Mexico, going by steamer from San Francisco to Mazatlan, and, after stopping there perhaps ten days, going by steamer to Guaymas, and from there afoot—a distance of about 500 miles—up the coast to Arizona. Mazatlan is one of the largest and most important cities on the western coast of Mexico. There is nothing particularly attractive in the primitive methods of business, manufacture, agriculture, modes of travel, and social life, generally speaking; but of the healthfulness of the climate and the longevity of the people there can be no doubt. On looking for signs of Christian progress throughout the city, and for the toilers in the Lord’s vineyard, but two or three Catholic churches could be found, and no Protestant church, mission, or society whatever; altho there are a select few Americans and Englishmen in business, whose lives seem to be centered upon the things of this world, while they are oblivious to the hereafter (the American consul might be excepted). The people are shrewd and crafty in all manner of business, and quick to impose and prey upon foreigners. I was partly convinced of this trait of character by my experience at a restaurant. I ordered a twenty-five-cent meal (Mexican money), and, after paying fifty cents American currency—equal to a Mexican dollar—I was refused any change, and such an ado was made that I was glad to leave minus the change. The people will do hard and laborious work by their primitive methods, and not murmur; and altho many of them attend the Catholic church on Sunday (which day is not generally kept undefiled in Mazatlan), after leaving, they seem to be willing and diligent as before in seeking after the lusts of the flesh, and the bringing forth of the fruits of the carnal mind. The writer found none in Mazatlan, or throughout the country from Guaymas to Arizona, who gave evidence of being “born again,” and who were seeking to build up the Lord’s kingdom on earth. While the common class of people have many bad traits of character, yet they have some good ones. They feed the hungry, and would not turn a deaf ear to the appeals of the unfortunate, altho they are generally impoverished themselves, and living in a very unproductive agricultural country, the western coast of Mexico. There seems but little doubt that the same spiritual famine, the need of a knowledge of the true ways of God and the road to eternal life, prevails throughout the entire country. Let us be reasonable. Why send missionaries to distant fields of the earth, while here at our very door are thousands—aye, millions—dying for the need of the Bread of Life? Truly the harvest is great, and the laborers are few. It does not seem to the writer that the sending of a few missionaries would be so remunerative in spiritual results as the building of a Christian college in Mexico, where men could be taught who would become evangelists to carry the message of salvation to their countrymen. Does this message appeal to you? What will your answer be? A laborer in the vineyard, C. D. CROSBY.