C^c J|0rcign JjonrnaL
Vob. XLIX. NOVEMBER, 1898. No. 5
A VISIT TO MEXICO.
We are glad that the following very interesting letter reaches
us before we go to press. All our readers will read it with special
pleasure, we feel sure:
After visiting tile great Texas State Convention, which met in Waco October
7th to 70th, the Corresponding Secretary took a short run down to Torreon,
Mat., to visit the brethren of the Mexican Mission, and confer with them about
the work for another year. While the visit was necessarily short, as the Mis¬
souri Convention was near at hand, still it was quite delightful and most sat¬
isfactory.
Torreon is a young, thrifty railroad city, and is growing very rapidly. To
tills place Itev. A. C. Watkins moved about two years ago. More aud more ap¬
parent is the wisdom of his selection of tills as a strategic point in working for
the evangelization of Mexico. Not only are railroads centering here, hut facto¬
ries are being built, and the new population which is coming in from every
direction is not so fanatical and opposed to the Gospel as are the people in old
petrified cities. Brother Watkins happily secured an elegant lot on the plaza
at a very moderate sum before property had greatly enhanced in value, and on
this we now have a very neat church house and pastor’s home. For cheapness,
neatness, and utility combined, we have seen nothing in our mission work which
has pleased us more. Brother Watkins got only SG00 from the Board on this
property, raising the remainder from other sources. The people in the town
gave him a neat sum to help in the building.
Two services were held during our visit— one for English-speaking people, at
which the writer was requested to preach. It was not only a privilege, but a
pleasure, to speak to the good little congregation which assembled, most of
them from “The States,” and some from far-distant lands across the sea. The
story of Jesus is ever fresh, sweet, and joyous to tell. The Spirit of the Lord
was in the meeting. The service the second night was in Spanish, and Brother
J. G. Chastain preached. A good congregation was present. Over eighty-five
were present, not counting the babies, and there were several of these whom
the mothers carried wrapped in shawls or in the rohosns.
While the writer could not understand the words spoken, he
much enjoyed the service. The singing was delightful. The sermon .was
delivered in an earnest, forceful style, and closely listened to by tlie people.
The deep attention on tlie faces and tears in tlie eyes showed that Brother
Chastain had taken hold of tlielr hearts. One old man present was over one
hundred years old. Brother Watkins baptized him about a year ago. When
