p. 16 | WALTER S. BOND by Walter S. Bond

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jan 28, 1904

WALTER S. BOND

By Walter S. Bond

Spain

BARCELONA.—As we read and reread the readings for the week of prayer, we were impressed with the necessity of being rightly related to God and his truth, in order that we might not fail in doing our part in giving the message that must go to all the world in this generation. We are indeed thankful that efforts are being made to find more help for Spain. Our prayer is that the Lord of the harvest may impress the hearts of many of the American laborers with the needs of this field, and that they may not rest until they have landed on Spanish territory, to assist in heralding the good news to the almost twenty millions of this country.

It is very evident, from the way things are turning, that the days of toleration for those who keep the commandments of God are almost at an end in Spain. Just a short time ago a bill was introduced

in Congress which called for a very rigid law. A newspaper of November 5 says, “Senor Dato has instructed the president of Congress with reference to the immediate approval of the project of the law of Sunday rest.” An amendment was introduced by several other prominent men, “making extensive the prohibition of work on the fiestas of precept (which are Sundays and all other feast days or rest days commanded by the church), without distinction of occupation, whether laborers in the cities or farmers, neither of sex, age, nor state of the laborers.” Thus it goes. So we see that the enemy of God is working on the same general plan here in this stronghold of Catholicism that he employs in other countries.

We were favored with a visit from Professor Wilkinson about two weeks ago. We appreciated his counsel very much. He spoke at two of our regular meetings, Friday evening and Sunday forenoon, and his words of cheer were well received. We have three preaching services each week, and two regularly appointed Bible studies. One of these studies is the Sabbath meeting, the first of which was held a week ago to-day.

Several women in this place have begun the observance of the Sabbath, and others seem much interested. An intelligent woman, a native of Castilla Vieja (Old Castle), has attended several meetings lately, and seems deeply interested in the different points of truth, as they are presented to her. She was present at the study this afternoon, and it was with rapt attention that she listened to an explanation of the truths portrayed in Matthew 24. She wished to know what we thought about baptism, so arrangements were made for a study on that subject. We pray that she may have sufficient faith and courage to decide in favor of the truth.

We have received a number of subscriptions for our Mexican paper, El Mensajero de la Verdad, and our list is gradually increasing. We hope soon to begin an active tract campaign. We can not find time to do all that we would like to do. There are cities and towns all around us, but our company of workers is so small. May we have an interest in the prayers of all of God’s people? If there are any who are anxious to gain an experience in pioneer work, Spain affords such an opportunity.