A FIESTA IN PORTO RICO by Ida M. Fischer

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Feb 28, 1906

A FIESTA IN PORTO RICO.

By Ida M. Fischer

NO month in the year is so filled with festivities and holy days as the month of December in our fair island. It is during that month that we see many of the poorer class of people (with small houses, or boxes, in which are found three small images mounted on three mules nicely decorated) walking in the streets soliciting alms.

These images are called, Los Tres Reyes, "the three kings." Usually a company of people follow the bearers with guitars and the güiro, which is a gourd, and when used with a tined fork produces a scraping sound, which the people accompany with some of their weird songs.

On the 8th of December they celebrate El dia de Concepcion, "the conception day." It was my privilege this year to view the celebration of this fiesta. At 4:30 P.M., I stepped inside of the cathedral in Arecibo. About half-way down the middle aisle was the figure of the Virgin, an image about five feet two inches tall, with black, curly hair falling over the shoulders, and dressed in a handsome robe of light blue satin and silver lace. The image stood upon a globe, representing the world. Large vases containing flowers were also on the pedestal, and many large candles.

Procession in Front of Cathedral, and Image of Virgin in the Door.

Taking my position on one of the seats near the center front door, I felt perfectly safe, thinking I would have a good opportunity to see the procession form in the church. Unfortunately, about a dozen little native children had gathered around me, some sitting by my side, and others in front of me, asking me questions in Spanish. This was too much for the Spanish priest, as he came out of the vestry and took a view of the congregation, which was then beginning to gather. Fastening his eyes on me from the time he left the altar until he finished his mission, at the same time mumbling his prayers, he walked solemnly down the aisle, out the center front door and came in through one of the side front doors.

In order to make my explanation plain, I will state that the cathedral has large folding-doors, which usually are so closed that they form two front side doors, but on extra occasions may be opened so as to form one large center front door. Coming directly to my side the priest leaned over my shoulder and said in an undertone, "Pongad la cubierta, pongad la cubierta," at the same time showing me what he meant by patting his head. I was somewhat amazed, and began questioning in my mind what I ought to do, as I had entered the church without a hat, and it is against the rules for a woman to enter the church without some sort of covering on her head, and that day of all days, when the Virgin was to be carried through the streets.

The priest took my look of amazement and questioning for one of ignorance of the Spanish language. Turning to the children he asked if I was English, then repeating the command, he passed on, leaving the children to explain to me. To their repeated questions, I told them I could not for I was a Protestant missionary. Seeing that I was the center of attraction for the congregation, because of this, I quietly stepped outside, and waited the coming of the procession with my kodak in hand, determined if possible to get some good photos.

The sun was sinking rapidly, and at 5:30 P.M., as they left the church, it went behind a cloud.

Slowly they passed out the door, a man in front with a silver whip and cord clearing the way. Next followed three altar boys, bearing large silver rods with crosses at the top. Six of the prettiest young ladies of the city dressed in white, with white veils, bearing a beautiful banner with heavy silk cords attached, followed these boys. Thirty-two children on each side of ropes which were attached to a car carried on the shoulders of strong men, and which held the Virgin, came next. In the center, in front of the Virgin, were six more young ladies, who kept their eyes constantly on the children to see that they were faithful in holding onto the ropes. Back of the Virgin followed the priest with his rosary of large beads, and his assistant by his side.

The priest was dressed in his customary black robe, with a beautiful embroidered white satin sack, richly trimmed in gold lace, with the characteristic colors of the "woman" noted in Rev. 17:3, 4. How forcibly this text came to me as I saw all of that show and pomp. The city band followed with appropriate music. When they stopped playing, the priest would repeat a prayer as he changed or passed on to another bead in his rosary, to which the people would say, "Amen." I was much impressed as I saw one of the men, who followed closely and kept his eyes on the image, step out from the procession and in angry tones command one of the natives to remove his hat.

All along the way the hats of the men were removed and those who followed kept them removed. Slowly the procession wended its way up the main street, turned to the left, and passed down the second principal street to the cathedral.

Living in a land with the freedom which is found in the States, we hardly realize Rome's power. "Rome never changes." Whatever her attitude toward men or governments, her one object is supreme—to hold full control of all. She does not plan to bow to governments or individuals. "The Church," first and last, is her prime purpose. In the act in which she caused the native to bow to her, and in which she would have forced me, had she had the power, reveals only too strongly what awaits us as commandment-keeping people of Jehovah. Nothing but a firm trust in and hold on God will ever keep us in the trial which is just before us. If the Church will cause such force to be used in a part of the country which is under United States rule, what will she not do later on, when more power shall be given her?

I have not overdrawn any of these facts. Quietly I have been watching the rapid strides which are being made by this power. In some of the larger cities, where Protestant influences have been felt and seen, Rome has awakened, as it were, from her slumber, and is pushing forward her work rapidly. Schools and colleges are being erected. In the city of Mayaguez the Spanish sisters of charity tell me that already they number six hundred pupils under American teachers; this does not include the old Spanish Catholic schools. Families who have had their children in Protestant mission and the public schools, are watching carefully the work which will be done this year by these Catholic teachers from the States. And, should it reach the standard of the other schools, there is no question that the preference will be given the Catholic schools. What this effect will have upon the Protestantism of Porto Rico can readily be seen.

Reader, if you think Catholicism is dying in this island, you ought to live among the people, and teach them. It was my privilege to act as English teacher in the school of Las Hermanas de Caridad of Mayaguez. For two hours, five days in the week, I taught English to the children and mother superior of the school. During that time, I made it a special

study to gather what information I could respecting Rome and her missionary zeal. It is a fact that she puts us to shame who are looking for the soon-coming of our Lord. Rapidly, but silently, she is working away, using every means within her power to gain entrance to the hearts and homes of the people. She has no scruples whatever, she stoops to anything to accomplish her purpose.

I remember a statement which was made to me by one of the Catholic public school teachers over two years ago. She claimed to be a friend of the bishop here, and these are the words she said, "I believe what Bishop — says is true concerning the people of this island. 'That they will be Catholics or nothing.' Now you Protestants need not think that you will make any headway." But I am glad that I can say that I know of some who have cut entirely loose from Rome, and whose neighbors and families can testify that the Third Angel's Message is working a miracle in their lives. They actually seem hungering and thirsting for the truth of God.

Surely we must awaken to the needs of God's work in the needy fields. Time is fast hastening on. Another year has been ushered into eternity, and still mercy's door has not yet closed, but the angel of mercy is fast preparing to take her departure from this earth. Souls are dying all around us. As I see the funeral trains several times a day pass our home, I can not help but think, another soul has passed away without a knowledge of the soon-coming of Jesus.

May God help us to fulfil our mission faithfully and thus soon close this life of sin.

IDA M. FISCHER.

Mayaguez, Porto Rico.