p. 15 | The Work in Mexico by G. W. Caviness

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 7, 1914

The Work in Mexico

By G. W. Caviness

It was my privilege to spend a part of the month of January and all of February in the southern part of the state of Oaxaca and on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. The inhabitants of the isthmus are largely of the Zapotecan race, and are a very interesting people. We have three companies in that region, and their numbers are increasing. Seven were added to these companies by baptism while I was there. One of our brethren went farther south into the state of Chiapas to take charge of business for his brother, who had to leave for a time on account of the sickness of his wife. This brother talked the truth and scattered our literature with such good results that now there is a new company of twelve keeping the Sabbath in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas.

Some four years ago another brother was at work as a telegraph operator in Pochutla, on the Pacific coast. He became interested in the truth and sent for help. Our Spanish worker in that part of the country went to his assistance, and soon had a goodly company keeping the Sabbath. One year ago in February I had the pleasure of baptizing ten at this place, and this year four others. These are nice people also, and the work is growing there. In order to obey the truth, one of this company left a job for which he was receiving good pay. He was a telegraph operator in the employ of the government. He is now a successful canvasser. A boy of fourteen is living with me and going to school. We expect he will be a worker in some department of the cause. The grandfather of this boy is well-to-do for a Mexican. He owns a ranch about three by six miles square, on the coast. Eight of the fourteen baptized in Pochutla are of this family, and some of the rest are relatives. They are plain, simple people, and will exert a good influence in that part of the country.

On our trip down there we had no trouble, and saw no evidence of revolution except that at almost every railroad station there were groups of soldiers, and a carload of them accompanied our train back across the isthmus as a protection. There had been a holdup and robbery of a train about a week before.

A new company has grown up in Tampico el Alto, and they are calling for some one to come and baptize about a dozen candidates. Some time ago a few Negro brethren settled in that neighborhood. They have so lived and worked that now there is a Sabbath school of twenty-five, and the work is growing among their neighbors.

Just before the last attack on Torreon, we received letters from our Mexican brother in charge of the congregation there. All were well, and a goodly number were awaiting baptism. Monterey also is calling for a visit in order that a number there may be baptized. Our worker from this last place has recently crossed over to Laredo, Tex., to send his family to relatives in Los Angeles, but he himself expects to return to Monterey.

The canvassers still have success, and the work in the printing office is increasing all the time. The workers are all of good courage in spite of troubles. We have to record the first real damage and suffering of our brethren at this time. Recently Brother Godines, a Mexican worker, was beaten and robbed while on a visit to our little companies in the country near San Luis Potosi. Also some pretended revolutionists entered our church and school building in La Visnaga during Sabbath school and attempted to take a girl away with them. The brethren resisted, and three of them were taken prisoners, but were released after three days.

The brethren write me that all are of good courage, and say they have quite a lot of corn to sell for tithes. When one knows the condition of these believers and sees their zeal under such trying circumstances, and also knows what they were before the truth found them, one is sure the Lord is at work, and receives new courage for the future. We long to see peace come to this troubled land, but can see no good reason why we should not work on until the night comes when no man can work. We are glad to know that our brethren are praying for the work and workers here, and feel sure that their prayers are being and will be answered according to the will of him who knoweth best.

G. W. CAVINESS.