in their hands.” May that glad day be has-
tened, and may you and I be found among that
happy throng.
Warter G. Bonbp,
Calle San Luis C. Pral, 1a Gracia, Barce-
lona, Spain.
HX 8 a
PORTUGAL
Tae work in Portugal presents many varied
aspects, It was almost three years ago that
we received the commission to open work in
this small but old country. Much of this time
was spent in language study, although I did
what I could in distributing reading matter,
both among English and Portuguese friends,
sending by mail to the names that I could ob-
tain.
by friends in the States. As a result of this
work, one English lady began the observance
of the Sabbath over a year ago. She is faith-
fully paying tithe and first-day offerings and
giving Sabbath-school donations, at the same
time she is doing what missionary work she
can.
In June of last year we were joined by Elder
Schwantes, a minister from Brazil. His ex-
perience and knowledge of the language and
customs has been a great help. In September
of last year four souls were baptized, in De-
cember two, and the 25th of April this year
six received baptism, and various persons now
desire to follow in the steps of the Saviour.
In the latter part of last year Elder
Schwantes moved to Porto, the city second in
size in Portugal, and opened a.hall for meet-
ings.
All this time we have been opposed by
preachers of the Methodist, Baptist, and Epis-
copalian churches, although the Methodists led
out in the attacks, by printing warnings, ar-
ticles in a paper taken from Canright’s book,
and special sermons, all advising the people
not to go near us; for they would be en-
snared by wily questioning. Already five per-
sons have begun the observance of the Sab-
bath as a result. For this we thank God, be-
cause we see abundant proof that the prom-
ises of God will be fulfilled. However, I have
tried to keep up a friendly attitude toward all
the Christian workers of other denominations,
because this more or less lightens the perse-
cution against those who may accept the truth.
The Portuguese literature has been very
limited. But now we have two small books,
one is “ His Glorious Appearing,” published in
Brazil; the other is the “Family Bible
Teacher,” bound in paper, with index and four
illustrations. This is published here, and it
finds a fair sale for so poor a people.
Two colporters are doing something toward
carrying the literature to the homes of the peo-
ple. Their work is difficult, as the dwellers
in the city fear strangers; even close friends
do not visit much in each others homes. Their
best sales, I believe, have been made in public
places. We are desirous of having two more
tracts on the coming of the Lord, and the
Portuguese paper of Brazil reduced to a price
reasonable for Portugal.
At the council at Gland, Switzerland, ar-
Literature for this work was furnished
THE WATCHMAN
rangements were made to receive students into
the school. Those who may be too poor to
pay, will receive a loan, and when they enter
the work, this sum will be returned little by
little. We hope to send out several students
in the near future.
Our meetings, held in the largest rooms of
our home, at times draw a congregation of
twenty-five or thirty persons, mostly men. The
daily journals give us space to announce our
meetings and subjects. One gave a short his-
tory of our people, work, organization, and be-
lief, together with my picture and also that
of the prophetic chart. Another journal gave
a synopsis of this, with the symbols enlarged
to a good size, with a reproduction of three or
four other rude charts that I had made my-
self. Another journal published a rather
funny interview of the teacher of this new
religion in Lisbon by a reporter, and yet an-
other printed a lengthy letter sent to the ed-
itor.
These articles have been the means of warn-
ing many people, but this people, especially on
the continent, are great philosophers; they like
to know things, but only walk in the light
when they think it convenient. Elder
Schwantes makes a comparison thus: One
here is worth twenty in Brazil, and I believe
the same could be said comparing this field
with the States. However, we expect to find
the honest in heart before the close of time.
About the time of the newspaper reports
here in Lisbon, Elder Schwantes reported an
interest in one of the provinces, in a place
525
Other persons believe, and are trying to ar-
range their business so that they can obey.
This is no small item here.
In closing we ask the prayers of God’s peo-
ple for an unfortunate race and nation. Any
one desirous of helping evangelize this peo-
ple, by giving aid for the education of work-
ers, the publishing fund, or any other part of
the work, will please send gifts through the
regular channels to the Mission Board for
Portugal in any of its lines of need. May
God help us in this great closing work.
C. E. RENTFRO.
R de S. Bento No. 50—1, D, Lisbon, Port-
ugal.
EJ BN
NOTICE
Tue seventh annual session of the Cumber-
land Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
will be held at Cleveland, Tenn., August 20, 21.
The first session of the conference will be held
Tuesday, August 20, at 10 A. M. The camp-
meeting proper will begin Thursday, August
22, and continue ten days.
The election of officers for the conference
will be held during the conference session, so
it will be necessary that all our churches choose
their delegates so they may be present at the
first meeting, Tuesday, August 20, 10 A. M.
We expect excellent help during this meet-
ing, and we desire to urge upon all our breth-
ren the importance of being present at this
annual feast.
J. F. Pocug, President.
RUINS OF A LARGE CHURCH IN LISBON, DESTROYED BY THE EARTHQUAKE OF 1755
dangerous to Protestants. But as he is a
fearless man, sure of his great Helper, he went
and preached quite a number of times to con-
gregations of several hundred people. The
priests were angry. A convert was stoned.
The colporter was chased away by persons
chosen for this work. But six, as I have said,
were baptized, and two more await baptism.
Two small Sabbath-schools have been organ-
ized.
The Sabbath-keepers, so far as we know,
counting workers and families, number twenty-
two. The work is represented in seven places.
WANTED AT ONCE
A sTRONG, Sabbath-keeping Christian woman
to do cooking in a small school home. She
need not be a technically trained cook, but
must be apt and willing to receive instruc-
tion, and a safe example to students working
with her in neatness, thoroughness, and Chris-
tian deportment. Fair wages and a good mis-
sionary opportunity are offered.
Address Dr. O. M. Hayward, Eliza, Ala-
bama.
I
“UnapprLiep Christianity is worthless.”