The Work in Spain by Editor

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Oct 4, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 39.

Cartagena, an important military center in Spain

The Work in Spain

By Editor

THE following letter, which comes to us from an earnest missionary in Spain, we are sure will be of interest to our readers:

Dear Brother Wilcox:

That you may know something of the spirit that dominates in Catholic circles of Spain to-day, I will quote from a leaflet drawn up by the Catholic and Carlist Union of Berga, August 12, 1910.

By way of explanation, allow me to say that Carlos, the former leader of the Carlist party, who died about two years ago, was succeeded by his son James, which in Spanish is Jaime. The followers of Jaime, who aspires to the throne of Spain, are known as Jaimistas. This is one of the strongest Catholic parties in Spain.

The leaflet, which was circulated in all the region of Berga, was addressed "To Catholics and Jaimistas," and reads:

"Now is the hour, brethren, when we should all lend ourselves with strong courage to come to the defense of our holy religion and of our mother the church. Our breaking off with the cursed liberal government is accomplished. The persecutions against us, who with good will defend our religious beliefs, are increasing. When the governments, in order to wound, employ vile arms, it is necessary to resort with determination to the same modes of procedure. The licensed wrath of the Liberals committing all kinds of injustice against us, and running over us whenever they wish, we must not be so tame that in order to defend ourselves we may not employ every class of arms; all are good; the dagger, the 'Browning' [a certain make of gun, which represents all guns]. Let us employ them against all those who may have liberal ideas, for they are all heretics which corrupt the earth, and they must burn in hell.

"Catholics and Jaimistas, do not allow death to turn you back! God will receive you in the heavens with open arms and you will be rewarded throughout eternity for your sacrifice to the cause of religion. The pope will send you the blessing from Rome. Attack, persecute, molest the liberals; exterminate the burners of convents, and those who mistreat the nuns; destroy the impious governments. May God bless you."

The Roman Catholic Church is ever the same as far as principles are concerned. It is still the "little horn" with "eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking great things." Its policy is still that of persecuting, and it still endeavors to "wear out the saints of the Most High."

From where I am sitting, I can look upon a huge convent about one block away, whose interior was fairly gutted by the flame of vengeance which raged in Barcelona during the happenings of July, 1909.

The fires lighted at that time in the hearts of the liberty-loving element of Spain, have not been extinguished. Brighter and brighter have they shone; and to-day from one end to the other of this Iberian peninsula, the cry is ascending in favor of religious liberty and freedom from the tyrannous yoke of Romanism.

If Premier Canelejas continues the anticlerical policy launched by him, and the people permit him to continue as prime minister for two or three years, Spain stands a fair chance of enjoying a short period of rest from the domineering rule of Rome.

To-day the Gospel of Christ is entering the strongholds of Roman Catholicism throughout this country. The truths of God's Word are penetrating hearts so long beclouded by error and superstition. It can not be otherwise. The "time of the end," as foretold by Daniel the prophet, is upon us. And Jesus tells us, "And this Gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."

In the present month of August, I have had the privilege of visiting a number of persons who have become interested in the Gospel through reading literature sold them by our colporteurs. I visited several in the province of Murcia and in Alicante.

In the cities of Cartagena and Murcia several have begun to walk in harmony with God's holy law, and there are others who are interested. Much of the province of Murcia is very productive. The beautiful river Segura, which flows through the heart of the city of Murcia, affords an abundance of water for irrigation.

The silk industry is important there. The bright mulberry-tree adds much to the natural charms of that semitropical land. Many varieties of delicious figs and numerous other fruits grow in abundance there. One of the most lucrative products of that region is cayenne pepper.

Were it properly governed, Spain would still be a land of immense resources. We firmly believe that many of her brave sons and fair daughters will yet accept the teaching of God's holy Word, and that "they shall come" and "sit down in the kingdom of God." Yours for service, FRANK S. BOND. Valencia, Spain.