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Brazilian Union Conference

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 16, 1914

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 91, No. 16.

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Brazilian Union Conference

By F. W. Spies

F. W. SPIES
FOLLOWING the very good workers' meeting in Santo Amaro, Sao Paulo, the third session of the Brazilian Union Conference convened January 19-25. There were many things to encourage the delegates and workers of this great field, as they tarried together for a few days to lay plans for the carrying on of the work in our union for another two-year period.
The same spirit of hopefulness and courage so apparent during the workers' meeting increased during the union conference session, and the last Sabbath of the meeting was a day of spiritual blessing and of consecration to the Lord and to his work. On this same day also there were ordained to the gospel ministry three of our young men who had been developing in the work during past years. This ordination service made a deep impression upon all present, and was a definite encouragement to our brethren, who could thus see that the work in our union is progressing, and that our number of trusty workers is increasing.
Soon after the beginning of the workers' meeting public meetings were held each evening, and the tent was well filled at each service, even at times when the weather was unfavorable. Some are now keeping the Sabbath as a result of these meetings.
This interest was increased by the good work done by our faithful nurses. A boy of about nine years, who as the result of a fall, had been paralyzed, was given up by the doctors as a hopeless case; but through the treatments given by our nurses the boy was soon able to walk again. This caused not a little interest. In a little time a goodly number of sick folk had presented themselves; and the health talks given drew many hearers.
The prospect for working with tents in the proclamation of the gospel in this country is certainly promising, to judge by the experience in Santo Amaro.
The reports of different departments of the work showed progress. The membership, in spite of many having been lost through emigration and other causes, showed an increase; and the tithes and offerings also had increased.
We were able to plan for a better manning of our various fields than heretofore, and we confidently expect that with the Lord's help we shall see greater progress during the next biennial term than ever before. We must see greater progress, for the work is to be finished in this generation.
In several resolutions of thanksgiving, the brethren expressed their gratitude to God for his preserving care of the cause and workers, and also thanks were cheerfully expressed to the General Conference for its kind interest and substantial help in men and means sent to our union.
We are of good courage, trusting the Lord and expecting great things from him. May he abundantly bless his faithful workers, and hasten the glad day of his return.