GOSPEL WORK IN PERU

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 3, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 48.

GOSPEL WORK IN PERU.

THE Missionary Review of the World for November, publishes the following in regard to Gospel work in Peru, from Mr. A. R. Stark:—

"During the past twelve months Peru has been traversed by missionaries and colporteurs, north, east, and south, from its center, Lima; and we find that the people are docile, and not only gladly listen to the Gospel, but many will spend their last cent in purchasing a Bible. It is soul-stirring to see many of these poor people living in miserable bamboo-cane huts, searching every corner of their rude dwellings to find a few cents with which they may obtain at least a portion of the Scriptures. There are, however, discouragements and difficulties to meet. Through the influence of priestcraft four men have been expelled from different towns, and another has had his Bibles burnt. Yet we are convinced that the time is opportune for evangelizing. The great difficulties we encounter in the evangelization of Peru lie in the opposition from dominant priestcraft; these recent events show that priestcraft is prepared to make a desperate struggle to maintain its dominancy.

"Perhaps few fully understand the position of the missionary in Peru. The national constitution in its Article IV. declares that 'the nation professes the Roman Catholic religion, the state protects it, and does not permit the public exercise of any other.' There is, however, a clause under Article IV. which defines public worship and opens a way for the private exercise of it. True, it is ambiguous, but that there is no law against propaganda or private worship was made evident in the case of Rev. F. Penzotti, of the American Bible Society, who was tried for the supposed illegality of worship and propaganda. The trial was carried through all the grades of tribunals, including the Supreme Court of the nation, no law being found under which he could be condemned. This took place in 1890-91. That case settled the fact that there was no law against propaganda or private worship, and now that the Supreme Government of Peru has offered to indemnify us for the outrage we suffered in Cuzco, it is made more evident.

"It has been interesting to notice the effect of the ejection of the missionaries from the ancient capital of the Incas. It has stirred up the public mind on religious subjects more than any other event since the imprisonment of Señor Penzotti; it has opened the eyes of many, as never before, to the abuses of Romanism, and it has led some representatives of the lower house to consider the advisability of reforming the constitution in favor of liberty of worship. . . . If the fires of Smithfield led to the emancipation of England from papal sway, what shall we say of the eight months' imprisonment of Señor Penzotti in Casa Mata, Callao; the riots in Cocachacra, when two colporteurs were on the eve of being stoned to death; the burning of the Bibles, and narrow escape of the men from Ayacucho; the ejection of the first two Protestant missionaries from Cuzco; the banishment of a colporteur from Sicuani; and, lastly, the burning of Bibles and expulsion of colporteurs from San Miguel? One by one these steps are destined to break the power of religious tyranny, hasten the downfall of corrupted priestcraft, and are preparing the way for the spread of the glorious Gospel.

"Perplexing as the outlook may be, a foundation for the Gospel, deep and solid, is being laid, with such a strength that no power shall be able to overthrow. The living, transforming word of God is being scattered in this idolatrous land. In many homes it is being read, and may we not believe that it will make many wise unto salvation? The more we comprehend the situation the more profoundly are we convinced that Peru's deepest need is not more education or civilization, but living witnesses who will carry the living word of God into the homes and hearts of the people. Nothing can take its place in uprooting the superstition, the cold indifference, and the widespread infidelity, and in introducing righteousness and peace and justice. If Paul's heart was stirred by seeing the idolatry of Athens, should not ours be stirred by the fact that the whole country, yea, the whole continent, is 'wholly given to idolatry'?"