NOTES FROM BRAZIL by F. W. Spies

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 29, 1901

NOTES FROM BRAZIL

By F. W. Spies

August 2 I embarked for Espirito Santo, but on account of the bubonic plague our steamer underwent a quarantine of ten days. August 11 we reached Victoria, and a fourteen-hours' ride in a canoe on the beautiful Santa Maria River brought me to Porto Cachoeira, whence, after a ride of six hours, I was once more among those of like precious faith. It was almost eighteen months since my previous visit to these brethren. The churches in this province having been so long without ministerial help, and under rather unfavorable circumstances, I feared I should find them in not the best condition. But, thank the Lord for His goodness, I found harmony and unity among them, and nearly all were of good courage in the Lord. I labored among them for nine weeks, visiting and strengthening them, and also visiting four new districts, in two of which there are Sabbath-keepers. In the other two some are convinced of the truth, who we hope will soon obey.

This trip brought me for the first time over a large territory, and I often admired the fertile land through which we traveled. What missionary work might be done by those who love the truth, if they should come here and live the truth before the people, showing them how to till the soil properly, and how to live for the Lord. Of course things are very primitive. Although we must frequently cross large streams, a bridge is something unknown in some of these sections. Hence, when possible, we would ride through the rivers; and where the water was too deep to ride through, the horses and mules would swim across the river, while their riders and saddles were taken over in a canoe. This latter was especially true of the district of Guandu, which takes its name from the river that flows through that section.

In Guandu I found several Brazilians who, through the faithful labors of a German brother, had become somewhat interested in present truth. In the homes of some of these Brazilians, such a common luxury as a table or chairs is unknown. When they wish to seat themselves, mother earth offers all their ambition requires. One Sunday afternoon a meeting was held at one of these Brazilian homes. In all, about thirty persons were present. After the service I, with about twenty-four others, remained for jantar (dinner), which was both cooked and served in a kitchen six by ten feet in size. This small kitchen contained a large stove of earth; a mill to grind coffee or corn; a low bench about a foot high, which, by using a little economy in sitting, might furnish seats for three persons; and a piece of timber about one foot wide and one foot thick, and perhaps four feet long, with a hollow place in the middle, which served as a mortar.

When dinner was ready, I was asked to say gracias (thanks); and then, being in their estimation the most honored guest, I was invited to take the lead in helping myself. Upon entering the kitchen, I beheld, upon the piece of timber before mentioned, a row of kettles and pots as they had come from the fire. One contained the proverbial Brazilian black beans, another rice, still another polenta (corn-meal mush), a fourth sweet potatoes. Upon being urged repeatedly to help myself, I did so, which was the signal for the rest to follow suit; and in a little while the entire company of twenty-four might be seen, one after another, coming with his plate for a supply, and then going out, some squatting on the ground, others standing, still others leaning up against a building, with a plate in one hand and a fork in the other, in various grotesque attitudes. And although some failed to get a fork, there not being enough forks for all (as for knives, there were none at all), no one seemed troubled over that slight inconvenience, but went to work with nature's five-tined fork (his fingers), with as much satisfaction as any one else. You will say, “A happy company!” and so they were; for after dinner, which was eaten about 6 P. M., Bible study and singing continued until 11 P. M., and some did not stop until 3 A. M.

As almost every planter raises tobacco, all use it, even the women, some of whom consume as much as the men. But some of these have already received the gospel, and it has freed them from these bad habits; so let us hope that many more will accept this cleansing stream, which can make them as white as snow. I find these people very simple, and while they have some bad habits, they also have many good qualities. Wherever I went, the need of reading-matter was evident, and I was pleased to see that our new journal, O Arauto da Verdade meets with a kind reception everywhere among the Catholics. May the Lord bless every effort to advance His cause, and gather from all nations those who love righteousness.

During the entire journey I enjoyed much of the Lord's blessing. I baptized thirteen persons; and when I left the brethren, all were of good courage and determined to press on in the good fight of faith. May the dear Lord ever keep them.

F. W. SPIES.