HEATHENISM IN MEXICO by D. D. Fitch

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 13, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 46.

HEATHENISM IN MEXICO.

By D. D. Fitch

While making a trip on horseback to the Pacific coast, it was my lot to fall in with a large number of pilgrims who were going to worship at the shrine of the senora, or lady of Talpa. This senora of Talpa is nothing more nor less than an idol about the size of an ordinary child's doll. Her abode is a Catholic church located in the small town of Talpa. Talpa is a place of ten thousand inhabitants, isolated from the railway, and much else of civilization. If any would like to locate the place, it will be found about half way between Guadalajara and the coast.

To this place were flocking the ignorant but penitent natives in families and alone, on horseback and afoot, and mothers with babies in their arms or by their side. The one idea of all seemed to be to do penance. Some must have held themselves to be great sinners by the amount of self-imposed penance they endured. As I passed along, I saw many carrying stones in their hands or on their heads or shoulders. Others had their feet shackled, so that they could step but three or four inches, or wore a crown of thorns on their heads. Another carried a large cross, his body apparently well lacerated. Others were passed who were creeping on their knees. Friends of the penitent one would fold their blankets (all Mexican men carry blankets), and spread on the ground before the latter. Many carried candles about three feet long, which were lighted as they entered the church. Others blindfolded themselves, still others went barefooted.

It was estimated that from fifteen to twenty thousand people visit the place on these occasions. I succeeded in finding a guide who led me through the kneeling worshipers to a position where I could see this image held in adoration by so many. In an alcove near by I was also shown a picture of purgatory. The rich and the poor alike were in the fiery flames. Just above was a bleeding lamb standing on a book of some sort. This is a sample of the heathenism at our very doors. D. D. Fitch.

Guadalajara, Mexico.