F. W. SPIES by F. W. Spies

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 31, 1914

F. W. SPIES

By F. W. Spies

Brazil

F. W. SPIES

A short time ago it was my privilege to visit the northern mission fields of this great country, going as far as Para. One scarcely appreciates the vastness of the Brazilian Republic until he runs along the coast line from north to south. In seeing the present state of the work while making this trip, I could not but compare it as it now is with what it was twenty years ago. At that time, in 1894, the first workers had just arrived and were struggling to get a start. Today we have about seventeen hundred members who contribute annually upward of twenty thousand dollars United States gold to the support of the work. Sixty-two workers are giving their lives to the work of getting a people ready for the Lord’s soon coming. In about two weeks we expect to hold a course of instruction for eighteen recruits for the canvassing work. Indeed, we can say that in “mustard seed” fashion the work has grown and is growing.

But as we think of its growth, we ever remember that the brethren in the home field, through their gifts of men and means, their sacrifices, and their prayers, have to a large extent helped to bring the work to the place where it is today. We are thankful that although our work here must be done in a different tongue, we as God’s children are all united in one spirit in the whole wide world, and so have an equal interest in the finishing of the work in all places.

We were especially encouraged in receiving such a large number of recruits last year — twenty-two in all. But the message has been growing and spreading in places where the workers have not even been able to go as yet. Literature has been scattered by our canvassers, but we are not able to follow up all the interests. Often the call, “Send some one to teach us,” must go unanswered, or at least postponed, because we have too limited a force of workers to meet all the demands made upon us.

We feel deeply grateful to our kind Heavenly Father that for the most part we have enjoyed peace in this country all these years in which we have endeavored to carry on the work. Brazil has been suffering from a financial crisis for a long time. The government had hoped to improve conditions by effecting a loan in Europe. But just as this was about to be realized, the war broke out between the great European nations, and this of course put an end to such negotiations. The failure on the part of the Brazilian government to realize the expected loan, had such a depressing effect on the general situation that it almost paralyzed business. We have found ourselves in such a strait place for means that we could not at times undertake even a short trip into the interior to visit our churches and companies. But the Lord has helped; and thanks to his holy name, none of our workers have suffered so far. At the same time there is much suffering and want all around us. But all these things are proclaiming with a loud and definite voice that the day of the Lord is at hand, and that we need to get ready for it. May it find us in peace and confidence when it comes.