Our Work in Mexico by G. W. Caviness

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 12, 1912

Our Work in Mexico

By G. W. Caviness

IN the month of June, 1897, the writer first came to Mexico. At that time there were in operation in Guadalajara treatment-rooms for the higher class and also for the poor. A piece of property had been bought in the western part of the city, and a sanitarium was in process of construction. Elder D. T. Jones was in charge of the work, and there was a small force of laborers, consisting of doctors and nurses. The first doctor and workers had wonderful success and much practise among the people, but the later work, especially in connection with the sanitarium, was not so successful.

Toward the end of the year 1899 the writer and his family, with Brother and Sister Marchisio and Brother Placencia and family, came to the city of Mexico to open up evangelistic work. We began visiting, canvassing with the only books we had in Spanish, which were very few; such as, "Christ Our Saviour," "Gospel Primer," and "Steps to Christ."

We had settled in Tacubaya, one of the principal suburbs of Mexico City. As far as we know, there was but one other American family and one English family in this suburb. On visiting the Mexican families, many of them inquired why we did not start a school. They were anxious for their children to learn English. Teaching having been our occupation for the most of our lives hitherto, we decided to try it again, and soon had a school for the children of the higher class, numbering about forty. This was not strictly a missionary school; the children paid tuition, which largely met the expenses of the school. Through the school we became acquainted with quite a number of families. Some of them asked us what we believed, and we took pleasure in giving them Bible readings. A Sabbath-school was started in connection with the school, and many of the children attended this, and seemed to have no objection to studying the Bible.

A little later the Spanish paper that had hitherto been published in Guadalajara, was transferred to Mexico City, and we began its publication. In less

than a year's time it was necessary to publish three thousand copies in order to meet the demands.

When the work had grown somewhat, others came to our assistance. Elder G. M. Brown spent five or six years in the country as superintendent of the field. For the first two or three years we hired the paper printed, and then it seemed best to establish a small printing-office of our own. Elder Brown led out in this work, and he and about a dozen others of us bought a piece of land, put up a small building, and installed a little printing-press. This has grown until we now have quite a well-equipped printing-house, and publish three papers and the Sabbath-school lessons for all our Spanish-speaking fields.

Elder Brown's health failing, he returned to the United States, and Dr. W. S. Swayze took charge of the work for a short time till we could secure another superintendent. Elder G. W. Reaser came, took charge of the work, and spent considerable time in trying to find a place to establish an industrial school. But this has not been carried out as yet. From time to time, we have had small schools here in Tacubaya, and one in San Luis Potosi, and a purely native school in La Visnaga. We are still anxious for the time to come when we can establish a training-school for workers, so that we may have at least a few natives prepared to assist in the work.

A few faithful canvassers have stood by the work from the beginning; and as a result of the literature scattered, interest has been created in a number of places, until we now have fifteen companies of believers scattered almost from one end of the republic to the other.

At Salina Cruz, in the south, one young Spaniard received the paper and some tracts, and a little later twenty were keeping the Sabbath. This happened before any laborer had even visited them. The work has extended in that part until we now have four small companies numbering about fifty Sabbath-keepers. These are descendants of the Zapotecan Indians, although, of course, they are not all pure-blooded Indian. They are superior in many respects to the Mexicans in other localities, and are religiously inclined. There are about one hundred thousand of this tribe in that part of the country, and we have only one Spanish brother as a worker in all that field.

In San Luis Potosi, where Brother Julius Paulson is established in business, we have another company. In this place two families of tinsmiths began to keep the Sabbath through reading, and wrote me to that effect. I asked Brother Paulson to hunt them up. He finally found them when looking for some bread pans to use in his bakery. This work has grown, extending out into the surrounding country, so that we now have three other small companies not far from San Luis Potosi. The only laborers we have for them and all that region is Brother Marchisio. But the work is growing, and a number are awaiting baptism in that part of the field.

In Torreon, several years ago, the colporteurs scattered papers, and soon we heard of an interest there. I went to the place, and found one good family keeping the Sabbath. They had been keeping it about a month before I visited them. After a series of meetings, six others joined us. The work has extended from there till we now have companies in Torreon and Gomez Palacio. There were a number of believers in Santa Barbara before the revolution. We have not been able to hear from that company for several months, for all that northern region has been in the hands of the revolutionists, and there has been no mail received at the post-office department for Chihuahua during this time. Brother Juan Robles was looking after these companies until a short time ago, when we thought it best to send him to aid in the interest that was aroused in Monterrey. The Mexican brother and sister who accepted the truth by reading are looking after the interests as best they can, without any compensation. They write me that six await baptism.

Brother H. L. Rawson went to Monterrey near the close of last year, as there were a few interested ones there asking for help. He soon had quite an interest; and when Brother Robles and one of our canvassers joined him, the interest grew until it became necessary to rent quite a large place for the meetings, the attendance being about seventy-five. The congregation now numbers about forty. Fifteen or more have signed the covenant, and quite a number are awaiting baptism.

Scattered about in various other parts of the country are small companies of believers, and from a number of places come appeals for help, but we have no one to send them.

"Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest" that he will send laborers into this part of the harvest-field. Surely now, if ever, the King's business requires haste. G. W. CAVINESS.