A Plea for Mexico by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 20, 1902

A Plea for Mexico

By Editor

In response to many calls for a printing office in Mexico, where our literature could be published in the Spanish language, the following recommendation was passed at the last General Conference:— “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.”

In a talk given by Mrs. E. G. White to the board of directors of the Pacific Press Publishing Company, under date of Aug. 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 Brother A. G. Bodwell, who has been for some time laboring in Mexico, we quote the following:— “During the month of February, I traveled about four hundred and twenty miles on horseback. 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 one hundred and twenty-nine paid subscriptions, and sold about twenty-five dollars’ 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 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 way of the Atlantic coast. All through the country through which I have passed, the people are eager 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 cannot afford to wait until others occupy the territory; for then we shall find it much harder to reach the people than now.”

Mexico has about thirteen millions of people, while there are in all the world 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 familiarizing himself with the details connected with the manufacture and circulation of our literature.

The plan of the Pacific Press Publishing Company is to send this man there circulation of the paper referred to in the letter from Brother Bodwell, and then to publish books as the work may demand and money be received for that purpose. Other workers are ready to go as soon as they are needed. Further than this, it has been decided to give our people 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 gifts to the address given below. These gifts may be made in the regular way, or by taking stock. Five hundred shares of stock in the Pacific Press Publishing Company have been set aside for this enterprise, and those purchasing them will be helping to open the work in Mexico, and at the same time will become part owners in the Pacific Press Publishing Company. The price of shares is ten dollars each, and thirty have been purchased thus far.

Reports of advancement will appear in the Signs of the Times 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 establishing and carrying on of this work, and all profits will be used in the further circulation of literature. Address—

SIGNS OF THE TIMES.

Oakland, Cal.