hsr-^. 
 
 Twenty Years (^^ 
 
 AiVlONG TH E IVl EX^IC^ANS 
 
 MELIHD:ii EA¥EIH. 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tliis book is in 
 tine Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924010624207 
 
Cornell University Library 
 BV 2825.R21 1875 
 
 Twenty years among the Mexicans, a narra 
 
 3 1924 010 624 207 
 
TWENTY YEARS 
 
 AMONG THE MEXICANS, 
 
 A NARRATIVE 
 
 MISSIONARY LABOR, 
 
 MELINDA RANKIN. 
 
 CINCINNATI:, 
 CHASE & HALL, PUBLISHERS. 
 
 1875. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress^ in the year 1875, by 
 
 MEUNDA RANKIN, 
 
 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 
 
 9TEBK0TYPED AT FEANKLIH TYPE FOUKDEY, CIHCUTMATI. 
 
TO THE 
 
 C|[ristmn Wiomm oi l^e Wimitii BiutzB, 
 
 PARTICULARLY 
 
 THOSE WHO HAVE AIDED HER IN HER WORK 1n" MEXICO, 
 
 THIS LITTLE BOOK 
 
 IS AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED BY THE 
 
 AUTHOR. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The narrative is written, and I have concluded 
 to give it to the public. It was commenced under 
 very serious doubts as to the propriety of its pub- 
 lication, lest there might appear a spirit of egotism 
 in arraying my imperfect labors before the world. 
 In gathering up and writing out the actual facts of 
 my personal experience, I have found much satis- 
 faction. The review of the way in which the Lord 
 has led me has greatly strengthened my faith in 
 His providential dealings with His people, and 
 confirmed my belief that He still accomplishes His 
 divine purposes through weak instrumentalities. 
 In view of this, I have arrived at the conclusion 
 that the facts of my personal missionary experience 
 are not my own, and therefore I have no right to 
 suppress them, however much my natural disposi- 
 tion may incline me to do so. Hence, I give this 
 brief, narrative of my Twenty Years' Experience 
 among the Mexicans, to the public, from a firm 
 
 (v) 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 conviction of duty to God, and will indulge the 
 hope that He will make it useful to those into 
 whose hands the little book may fall. 
 
 I am aware it will be subject to various criti- 
 cisms. With some, it will, I doubt not, be received 
 as an exhibition of God's faithfulness to His prom- 
 ises, and an example of His condescension in favor- 
 ing one of his weakest servants. If this apprecia- 
 tion be arrived at, I shall be fully compensated for 
 this presentation of my life-service for the Master. 
 
 There is another class who may probably deign 
 to look into the book, and who, having no proper 
 understanding of a work of faith, will pronounce 
 the facts presented the result of a wild fanaticism 
 and of a weak and misguided mind. From this 
 class, I most frankly acknowledge, I have expected 
 naught but disapprobation, therefore I shall not be 
 disappointed in any criticisms they may see fit to 
 make. 
 
 Then, there are those who profess to have an 
 appreciation and knowledge of missionary labor 
 who may say the work described might have been 
 done better. To such, I would say, I wish you had 
 come into the field at the stage of progress which I 
 entered it, and accomplished the work as you think 
 it ought to have been done. It is quite easy to 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 criticise the labors of predecessors, without due 
 regard to the stupendous disadvantages under which 
 they have labored, and because things have not 
 been brought to a stage of perfection, to say there is 
 an evident failure in their plans and purposes. It 
 is a doubtful question, however, whether these 
 critics could have done better under the same diffi- 
 cult circumstances. 
 
 Breaking up the ground and sowing the seed 
 always precedes the harvest. The forest has to be 
 leveled and much hard labor has to be accomplished 
 before towns and cities can be built j and if some of 
 my successors do not find the cities already built, 
 they will at least find some degree of foundation 
 upon which to build. 
 
 When I transferred the mission of Northern Mex- 
 ico to the A, B. C. F. M., I claimed only that a 
 FOUNDATION had been laid, and that the super- 
 structure had yet to be reared. Although there 
 were six organized churches, with some hundreds 
 of converted Mexicans, and a school attached to 
 each church, with a training school for boys in the 
 seminary building in Monterey, also an abundance 
 of precious seed scattered over the land, yet I pre- 
 sented the field as very needy and in great want of 
 efficient laborers for 'perfecting this work, and for 
 
vm PREFACE. 
 
 fully carrying out the plans and purposes which had 
 been laid in faith and prayer. May God enable 
 those who take up this work to rightly understand 
 it, and give due honor to the agencies which have 
 preceded them. 
 
 The gathering of those churches has been done 
 mainly through the instrumentality of native Chris- 
 tians. With the experience which they had gained 
 of the gospel of Christ, they were enabled to reach 
 the hearts of their fellow-countrymen with the same 
 blessed truths far more successfully than any foreign 
 missionary who might have been brought upon the 
 field could have done. There are peculiarities of 
 Mexican mind and character which foreigners fail 
 to understand or reach. Many, very many, of the 
 blinded votaries of the papacy in Mexico have been 
 brought to the knowledge of the truth as it is in 
 Jesus through the instructions imparted them by 
 these unlettered Bible readers. To undervalue and 
 set at naught this heaven-approved instrumentality 
 I can not but regard as a sin against the Holy Ghost. 
 To those who lightly estimate these labors, I say, 
 with tearful eyes, be careful in your judgment, lest 
 the Master who called them into His service, and 
 has so significantly accepted this service, be wounded 
 in the house of his professed friends. 
 
PEEFACE. IX 
 
 Also, I would say to all whom it may concern, 
 that in giving this brief history of my mission 
 among the Mexicans, I have most strenuously en- 
 deavored to avoid appropriating undue honor to 
 myself. I have felt it an imperative duty, and it 
 has been my pleasure, to recognize the labors done 
 by others on the field, and to duly notice those 
 labors as far as was consistent with the brevity of 
 my narrative. After I carried my mission into 
 Mexico in 1865, I worked mainly through others, 
 employing both American and native laborers, some- 
 times having fifteen at a time in the various de- 
 partments of the field, and being obliged often to 
 leave the work in the charge of suitable persons to 
 come to the United States to solicit the funds for 
 their support. This work I claimed for the Amer- 
 ican Foreign Christian Union, and under whose 
 
 auspices I planted this first mission in Northern 
 Mexico. No other missionary society entered this 
 field until 1870, at which time the Baptist Home 
 Missionary Society employed their first laborer, 
 Rev. Thomas Westrup. In 1871, the Friends sent 
 a missionary to the State of Tamaulipas. In 1872, 
 the Presbyterian Board of Missions sent their first 
 missionaries to the State of Zacatecas, and also to 
 the City of Mexico. In 1873, the Methodist Board 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 of Missions sent Rev. Dr. Butler to the City of 
 Mexico. The Episcopalians have a mission in 
 Mexico, but I am not fully •acquainted with the 
 facts of its origin, or of the date of its commence- 
 ment. Probably Rev. Mr. Riley, who is an Epis- 
 copalian, has transferred his mission in the City of 
 Mexico to that denomination — am not positive. 
 
 If, in my representations, I have made any mis- 
 takes, I will most cheerfully rectify those mistakes 
 when convinced that such have been made. 
 
 That this little book shall be an exponent of 
 truth and justice has been my chief desire and aim; 
 and that God will bless it as it goes forth to the 
 public is my most earnest prayer. 
 
 MELINDA RANKIN. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 Why this book was written — Tlie question of woman's proper 
 sphere — A consecration to missions .... 15 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 What wilt Thou have me to do ? — Wants of the Valley of the 
 IMississippi — Two years in Kentucky ; thence to the State of 
 Mississippi — Delighted with the " Sunny South " . 19 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Looking over into Mexico — A dark prospect — Responsibility of 
 American Christians — Public appeals unavailing — Resolved 
 to go to Mexico— Closed my labors in Mississippi and started 
 for Mexico — Remarkable Providences — Could not get imme- 
 diately into Mexico— Decided to go to Texas — Incidents of 
 travel . . . , ' . 22 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Entrance into Texas — A beautiful country — Located at Hunts- 
 ville — Interesting field of labor — Arrested by sickness — Re- 
 covery — Greatly desiring to carry the torch of Divine Truth 
 to the millions of Mexico 29 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Entrance upon work for the Mexican people — Important infor- 
 mation gained through Rev. Daniel Baker — Sight of a live 
 Mexican — Heartfelt sympathy for the whole nation — No 
 place for boarding could be obtained — Home of my own — 
 Could not go into Mexico with the Bible — Opened a school 
 for Mexican children on the American side of the Rio Grande 
 — Encouraged in my efforts in teaching the Bible — Dangers 
 of living on the frontier — Exchanging a Bible for a "saint" 
 — Distribution of Bibles among Mexicans on the American 
 and Mexican side of the river 34 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 Recruits of the enemy from abroad — Looking to God for help 
 against the mighty — A French convent proposed — Resolved 
 to erect a Protestant seminary by its side — Protestant 
 Christians must aid me— Soliciting funds — Encounters with 
 two business men — Aid from the Presbyterian Board of 
 Education . . . . ' 43 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 Laborious work to obtain money for the Mexicans — Some pro- 
 
 (xi) 
 
X\l CONTEiJTS. 
 
 posed bullets instead of Bibles — Variety of treatment- 
 Helped by a Catholic— Treated rudely by a lady — Find 
 many friends to the cause — P'inally obtain sufficient funds 
 tor my seminary building . .... 51 
 
 OHAPTKR VIII. 
 Keturn to Brownsville — Tlie convent built — Contracted with a 
 responsible man for the erection of my building — Rented 
 rooms, and opened my school again — School soon full — Com- 
 menced Bible and Tract distribution — Unbelief of Protest- 
 ants — Enter my new seminary — Dedication — Much encour- 
 agement by new openings of usefulness ... 57 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 Need of help — The appeal made — Letter published by the 
 American and Foreign Christian Union — An effort made to 
 find a suitable colporteur — None could be found — Become a 
 colporteur myself — The A. & F. C. U. furnishing an assist- 
 ant in my scliool — Incidents of Bible work — Murder of a 
 German Protestant 63 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 Troubled waters — A storm of persecution — School nearly broken 
 up — Judgments of God pronounced— Submitting the case 
 to God, and waiting for a manifestation — Sudden removal 
 of the instigator of the persecution — Work resumed and 
 school full again 71 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 A revolution for religious freedom — The Priest Party and Lib- 
 eral Party — Immense revenues of the church party — Juarez 
 an able leader of the liberal party — Letters written to tlie 
 A. & F. C. U. at that time — The Scriptures going rapidly 
 into Mexico — Fifteen hundred copies of the Scriptures, and 
 more than two hundred thousand pages of tracts — Severe 
 affliction and sickness — Touching fidelity of a Mexican 
 woman — The bandit Cortinas — Brownsville invaded — Four 
 weeks absence in Matamoras — A school with New Testa- 
 ments — Two Mexican women wondering why they had ever 
 prayed to saints — Another burning her images — Final 
 triumph of the Liberal party — A great demand for Bibles 
 and tracts for Mexico — The American Bible and Tract So- 
 cieties supplying •. . . 75 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Wrote to the Bible Society for an Agent — Rev. Mr. Thompson 
 receives an appointment — Goes into Mexico — Brings two 
 Mexicans to Brownsville, who unite with the Protestant 
 Church— Desirous of going to iMonterey— French interven- 
 tion and civil war prevented— Rev. Mr. Hickey appointed 
 agent for tlie Bible Society— The Frencli intervention threat- 
 ens Protestantism— Jlaximilian and Carlotta — Carlotta's in- 
 
CONTENTS. XIU 
 
 sanity — French troops withdrawn — Maximilian finally exe- 
 cuted — Religious freedom nobly outrides the storm . 87 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 Compelled to leave my seminary — A Presbyterian minister de- 
 mands the keys — Went to Matamoras — Happy in being on 
 Jfexican soil — Obliged to leave — Resolved to go to the 
 United States— Delayed at Bagdad — Quartered on a schooner 
 — One of our company murdered by the rebels — Leaving 
 Bagdad — Entreated to remain in New Orleans . . 97 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 Visiting the hospitals — Delicacies solicited in New Orleans — Per- 
 sonal distribution of tbeni — Scenes of suffering — Principal 
 of school for Freedinen — An old preacher learning the al- 
 phabet — Desirous of returning to my Mexican work . 105 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Brownsville taken by the United States troops — The garrison 
 burned — Attempt to burn the town — Return to Brownsville 
 — Find the Seminary building greatly injured — Repaired it, 
 and opened my school — Troojis recalled — Obliged to leave — 
 Return to New Orleans — Maximilian decides to sustain re- 
 ligious liberty in Mexico— Start for Monterey — Another 
 visit to Bagdad — Close of the war — What the people of Bag- 
 dad thought— Assassination of President Lincoln . 113 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Seeking Protestant head-quarters — No missionary Society had 
 entered Mexico — Necessity of a permanent Protestant Mis- 
 sion—Monterey regarded the most important point — Suita- 
 ble buildings necessary — Resolve to come to the United 
 States for money— Trip from Monterey to Matamoras — 
 
 Taken prisoner by Cortinas 120 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Arrive in New York — The American and Foreign Christian 
 Union approve my plaTi — Obliged to make personal solicita- 
 tion from individuals — First donation $.500 — Crowning dona- 
 tion $10,000, by one individual — Returned to Moiitercy— 
 Rev. Mr. Hickey's death — Mr. Thomas Westrup appointed by 
 the B. S. as successor — Purchased a building for Slie Protest- 
 ant mission— Mexican converts would make good mission- 
 aries — Decided to employ four — Resolve to go to the United 
 States and obtain it — Appeal to the Christian ladies — Favor- 
 able response by the ladies of Hartford and New Haven, 
 Conn. — Returned to Monterey — Mission house ready for oc- 
 cupancy — Commissioned the Bible-readers to go forth 129 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Eegions bej'ond — Send Bible-readers to the State of Zacatecas— 
 Influence of an American gentleman — I^etter from the 
 "Christian World" — Bible agent baptizes forty converts— 
 
XIV CONTENTS. 
 
 This mission transferred, in 1871, by the A. & P. C. IT. to the 
 Presbyterian Board of Missions — Details of the work — The 
 priests discomfited — An open Bible their dread . . 139 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 Mission commenced in the City of Mexico — Bibles had been cir- 
 culated by the British Bible Society — View of the work — 
 Iietter from an Englishman 152 
 
 CHAPTEE XX. 
 Evangelical Society of Oaxaca, also one at Saltillo — Procured 
 the services of Rev. John Beveridge — Four churches — Mr. 
 Westrup decides to become a Bajjtist — The majority of Mex- 
 ican converts decide not to go with him — Ordination of two 
 ministers — Two more churches organized — Opening fields in 
 the " region beyond " 157 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 Image of the Virgin destroyed — Protestants suspected — " Death 
 to the Protestants" determined by a mob — Ajjpeal to the 
 Mexican authorities; also to the American Minister — Pro- 
 tection obtained — Destroyers of the image unknown — Sup- 
 posed to be instigated by the priests .... 170 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 Revolution of 1871 — Dissatisfaction with Juarez — Difficulty of 
 obtaining soldiers — Peace-loving Mexicans — Battle fought 
 six miles from the city — The generals flee, an<l the soldiers 
 rush into town to rob and murder — Determine to protect 
 the mission property — Soldiers at window, demanding life 
 or money — Four men killed on my sidewalk — Escape to 
 friends — Men brought to order 175 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 The people determine the trouble should cease — The Generals 
 consent to obtain terms from Juarez — Tliree men sent to the 
 city of Mexico — Juarez rejects them — His death — I.«rdo de 
 Tejada came in power — An amnesty proclamation — Mission 
 again prospered— Obtained a competent teacher for a young 
 men's training school in Monterey 186 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 Failing health— Resignation to the Master's will— Came to New 
 York — The A. & F. C. U. decline to receive my resignation 
 — Finally left me to transfer the Mission as I thought 
 proper — Concluded to transfer it to the A. B. C. F. M. — Ac- 
 cepted 191 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 Concluding thoughts — True policy of treating Catholics — Dea- 
 con Stoddard's advice — The crowning joy of my work 
 among the Mexican people 197 
 
Twenty Years Among the Mexicans. 
 
 chapteh I. 
 
 Why this book was written — ^The question of woman's proper 
 sphere fully decided — A consecration to missions — Patient 
 waiting. 
 
 SINCE the failure of my health has compelled 
 me to retire from active service on the field, 
 the question has been repeatedly asked me, " Why 
 do you not write a history of your mission among 
 the Mexicans?" Various considerations, having 
 weight in my own mind, at first repelled such an 
 idea, and I uniformly replied, " I am utterly op- 
 posed to autobiographies. And it savors too much 
 of egotism for me to set forth to the public my 
 own personal labors. Besides, I do not claim very 
 wonderful displays of magnanimity in any thing I 
 have done. Therefore I am not at all disposed to 
 put my deeds in print, as if I believed them de- 
 serving of especial admiration and praise." 
 
 The question, however, has continued to be re- 
 peated, and that by persons to whose opinion I 
 owed respect. One reverend divine, whom I met 
 for the first time, said to me, " You owe the Chris- 
 CIS) 
 
16 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 tian public a narrative of the way in which God 
 has led you. Your work among the Mexicans has 
 been, most emphatically, the Lord's work, and it 
 seems to me He claims that it should be displayed 
 for His name's sake." 
 
 This was a new view of the subject, and I felt 
 constrained to take the matter into serious consid- 
 eration. Could God be glorified in the effort, I 
 felt willing to take up the cross — for such it seemed 
 to me — and to write out the simple facts connected 
 with my work among the Mexicans. And if, in 
 now giving the details as they come up in my 
 memory, the glory of God shall appear to be the 
 paramount object, I shall probably lay them be- 
 fore the public; but should I discover the motive 
 to be self-glorification, I shall, most unhesitatingly, 
 commit the manuscript to the flames. 
 
 One very important consideration which inspires 
 rae to this undertaking is the hope that I may 
 prove, by actual facts which have occurred in one 
 woman's life, that our Divine Master has still work 
 for woman to do in His kingdom on earth. When 
 Ave look into the New Testament we see the impor- 
 tant service rendered Him by woman ; and we not- 
 ice also that He not only recognized it, but highly 
 commended it. In relation to an act performed by 
 woman H^ said, "Wherever the gospel is preached 
 throughout the whole world, this that this woman 
 has done shall be spoken of as a memorial of her." 
 To a very great extent the prevailing sentiment 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. J 7 
 
 among Christ's people has been, that woman's 
 work should be necessarily circumscribed, lest she 
 transcend the delicacy belonging to her sex. To 
 unwomanly aspirations or conduct I am as much 
 opposed as any one. But had public sentiment 
 been my guide some forty years ago, I should 
 probably have settled down in my New England 
 home with the belief that it was highly improper 
 for me to undertake any signal enterprise for the 
 advancement of Christ's kingdom. But when the 
 light of the glorious Gospel of the Son of God 
 shone into my heart the desire for its extension 
 throughout the whole world took entire possession 
 of me. Impressed with the responsibility of be- 
 ing a redeemed sinner, I wondered how I was to 
 find vent for the boundless aspirations which pos- 
 sessed my whole being, and I almost rebelled 
 against the will of my heavenly Father at the 
 limited sphere which He seemed to have allotted 
 me. In this unquiet frame, I provideutially came 
 across the chapter in Paul's Epistle to the Corin- 
 thians in which he says, "But now hath God set 
 the members every one of them in the body, as 
 it hath pleased him. And if they were all one 
 member, where were the body? But now are 
 they many member^, yet but one body._ And the 
 eye can not say unto the hand, I have no need 
 of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have 
 no need of you. Nay, much more those mem- 
 bers of the body, which seem to be more feeble, 
 2 
 
18 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 are necessary." I immediately came to the con- 
 elusion that, as a member of Christ's body, al- 
 though a feeble one, I had a mission to fulfill, 
 and one sufficiently ample for occupying all the 
 powers of the body and soul. I felt no proscrip- 
 tion on account of my sex; nay, I could, and did, 
 adopt the noble sentiment of the lamented Ev- 
 arts, Secretary of the American. Board of Missions, 
 who was removed by death soon after his appoint- 
 ment. In the acceptance of the responsible posi- 
 tion, he writes : " Henceforth, if it please Him, I 
 am to consecrate myself — my soul and body and 
 all I have — to a direct effort to execute, in union 
 with others, the last command of the ascended 
 Saviour." 
 
TWEKTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 19 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 What wilt Thou have me to do ? — My labors must be beyond 
 the bounds of New England — Wants of the Valley of the 
 Mississippi — Two years in Kentucky ; thence to the State 
 of Mississippi — Delighted with the "Sunny South" — Must 
 divest myself of love of place merely from its worldly at- 
 tractions. 
 
 MY Master, I felt assured, accepted this consecra- 
 tion which, from my heart, I had thus made, 
 and from thenceforth I regarded myself pledged 
 to perform such work as He might assign me. I 
 was impressed that my mission would be among 
 the needy and destitute ; consequently beyond the 
 bounds of New England. From the period of this 
 consecration a series of trials commenced which 
 seemed especially appointed by God to test the 
 sincerity and depth of my motives. The Master, 
 I felt assured, was trying my spirit as silver is 
 tried, in order to prepare me for some special 
 work. With the full conviction that in due time 
 my life's mission would be shown me, I endeav- 
 ored to " be faithful over the few things," and ap- 
 plied myself with earnest devotion to a thorough 
 preparation, and also to teaching the young, both 
 in Sabbath and week-day schools. During those 
 years of waiting and preparing, at intervals would 
 light from heaven shine upon my pathway as upon 
 
20 TWENTY YEAKS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 some of old. With the unmistakable aptness of the 
 language of ini5piration would these words come 
 unto me : " Fear not, I have called thee by thy 
 name;" "Thou art mine." Oftentimes would I 
 be "impressed with this command: "Get thee out 
 of thy country, and from thy kindred, and come 
 into the land which I will show you." When 
 motives stronger than life urged me to remain in 
 my dear New England, the sentiment of the Apos- 
 tle would impress me with irresistible force: "Ne- 
 cessity is laid upon mej yea, woe is unto me" if 
 I go not to the needy and destitute. Divine grace 
 finally prevailed, and duty impelled me to take 
 the advance step towards my appointed work. I 
 scarcely knew what it was to be, yet I endeavored 
 " to set the Lord before me ; " " and because He 
 was at my right hand," I knew I should be guided 
 aright. At that time there was a great call for 
 missionary teachers to go to the Valley of the Mis- 
 sissippi. In consequence of European emigration, 
 Roman Catholicism was fast gaining ground in that 
 portion of country, and urgent appeals were made 
 by American Protestantism for counteracting influ- 
 ences. Under the all-inspiring conviction of duty, 
 with steadfast, yet cheerful purpose, I bade adieu 
 to my New England home and friends, and took 
 up my way toward the West, going as far as Ken- 
 tucky, which, at that period (1840), was coDsidered 
 quite a remote region. In this State I found a 
 great need of Christian teachers, and, although it 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 21 
 
 did not seem to be the field which answered my ut- 
 most aspirations, yet I remained there nearly two 
 years, establishing schools, and sending on to New 
 England for teachers. I then went to the State of 
 Mississippi, and in this new move I was conscious 
 of the manifest direction of God, which was clearly 
 shown by the opening of the way, and by the wel- 
 come reception which I received from the people 
 of that region. I could see even there abundance 
 of reason why I should have left our highly fa- 
 vored New England, to fill a position so needy as 
 the one which I was called immediately to occupy. 
 The beautiful " Sunny South," with its highly 
 cultivated and refined society, charmed me, and I 
 fain would have made a permanent residence amid 
 its delightful scenes ; but often would the startling 
 question sound in my ears, " AYhat doest thou here, 
 Elijah?" and I would arouse to the consciousness 
 that I was on enchanted ground, and that I must 
 divest myself of love of place merely from its world- 
 ly attractions. 
 
22 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Looking over into Mexico — A dark prospect — Eesponsibility 
 of American Cliristians — Public appeals unavailing — Ke- 
 solved to go to Mexico — Closed my labors in Mississippi 
 and started for Mexico — Eemarkable Providences — "A 
 little child shall lead them '' — Could not get immediately 
 into Mexico — Decided to go to Texas — Incidents of travel 
 — Unpleasant delay on Bed Eiver. 
 
 THE dark places of the earth seemed to me the 
 most fitting spot for one who had made a con- 
 secration of all to Christ and His cause ; but I re- 
 mained in Mississippi, with some intervals of ab- 
 sence, until 1846, at which time our country was 
 engaged in war with Mexico. Mississippi was 
 largely represented in that war, and when it closed 
 I learned through returned soldiers and officers 
 much about the moral destitution prevailing among 
 the people of Mexico. Here, I learned, was a coun- 
 try right upon our border from which the light of 
 the Bible had been excluded for centuries. Indeed, 
 a pure Christianity had never penetrated these dark 
 regions, as all the previous history of Mexico clearly 
 proved. Upon the advent of the Spanish conquer- 
 ors of Mexico, Roman Catholicism, with all its idol- 
 atrous rites, was substituted for paganism. Nut- 
 withstanding the assumptions of the Roman system 
 of religion, it proved fully as demoralizing, and 
 which, besides its corrupting tendencies, ground 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 23 
 
 down the poor inoffensive people under the most 
 despotic bondage. This system of religion had 
 reigned supreme, under a tyrannical priesthood, for 
 more than three hundred years, and its legitimate 
 fruits were fully apparent by the moral degrada- 
 tion prevailing throughout one of the fairest coun- 
 tries upon the globe. My sympathies became en- 
 listed in behalf of these long-suffering and neglected 
 people. Our country had conquered them and sub- 
 jugated them to its own terms ; and was there noth- 
 ing more demanded for this bleeding, riven, and 
 desolated country? Were there no hearts to com- 
 miserate the helpless condition of these perishing 
 millions of souls under the iron heel of papal power, 
 with all its soul-destroying influences ? I could not 
 avoid the impression that an- important duty de- 
 volved upon Evangelical Christendom to try and 
 do something for the moral elevation of this people, 
 ■who had so long been "sitting in the region and 
 shadow of death." Indeed, I felt that the honor of 
 American Christianity most imperatively demanded 
 that some effort should immediately be made. So 
 strongly impressed was I of this that I wrote sev- 
 eral articles for publication, hoping, to enlist an in- 
 terest among the churches and missionary boards; 
 but my appeals met with no response, and I re- 
 solved, God helping me, to go myself to Mexico 
 and do what I could do for the enlightenment of 
 her long-neglected people. Although I could not 
 preach the Gospel to them, yet I felt that I could, 
 
24 TWENTY YKAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 in ways adapted to my appropriate sphere, do some- 
 thing for bringing its blessings among them. 
 
 The nnsettled condition of jMexico prevented me 
 from going there immediately, yet I resolved to Let 
 my face thitherward, and wait the indications of 
 God's Providence, in the confidence that an oppor- 
 tunity would be presented for the fulfillment of my 
 cherished desires. In pursuance of this object, I 
 closed my labors in Mississippi in Jlay of 1847. 
 It was with extreme reluctance that my patrons 
 would accede to my plans of leaving them for go- 
 ing among the Mexicans, yet when they fully un- 
 derstood my motives, they finally acquiesced. 
 However painful I found the breaking away from . 
 my long cherished friends, I realized I had a still 
 greater trial before me, as I must go to Texas in 
 order to get into Mexico, and I well knew that 
 Texas, as well as Mexico, was not a place to which 
 an unprotected woman would aspire to go, from 
 any expectation of comfort or perhaps of safety. 
 But I felt the word to be " Go forward ; " and 
 although the waves of uncertainty dashed high and 
 loud, yet I must venture upon the simple command 
 of God, believing that a promise was appended 
 equal to the circumstances. 
 
 I girded on the armor of faith; took a final 
 leave of the kindest of friends, and went to Vicks- 
 burg for taking a steamer down the Mississippi 
 river. I took passage, without any definite con- 
 clusion which route I should take; whether I 
 
TWENTY YEAKS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 25 
 
 should go into Eastern Texas, by the way of Red 
 River, or go to New Orleans, and there take a 
 vessel for Western Texas. My final place of des- 
 tination was fully decided, but the way of going to 
 it, I must commit to Him who called me. I im- 
 mediately went into my state-room, and sat down 
 to contemplate my undertaking. All the absurdity 
 of starting to Texas, with a view of going to Mex- 
 ico, was permitted to take possession of me. How 
 presumptuous it appeared to go to Texas, which, 
 although then annexed to the United States, was, 
 according to report, and general impression, 
 peopled by outlaws and renegades from other lands. 
 What would my parents and friends say if they 
 knew of my mad purpose ? On the other hand I 
 •reflected thus: Why have I taken this step? 
 How came I possessed with the idea of going on 
 such a hazardous expedition ? Did it not come 
 from above? Surely, the Lord has put this into 
 my heart, or I never should have come to such a 
 decision as starting for Mex'ico. He has inclined 
 me to set my foot forward, and I will trust Him to 
 be my guide and protector. My agitated and anx- 
 ious feelings became calmed, and I arose, went out, 
 and stood upon the guards of the steamer. While 
 in peaceful contemplation, looking upon the beauti- 
 ful scenery on the banks of the river, there came a 
 little girl, about ten years of age, and stood beside 
 me. I addressed her, as I usually do children with 
 whom I fall in company while traveling, by ask- 
 3 
 
26 TWENTY YBAE8 AMOKG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 ing her, " Where are you going ? " In answer to 
 my question she very readily replied, " I am going 
 to Texas." 
 
 " Ah ! " said I, " and I am going to Texas, too." 
 Then I put the question, " To what part of Texas 
 are you going? " 
 
 She replied, " I do not know, as I have never 
 beeu there, but am going with my uncle to live 
 «with him." She added, " I will ask my uncle, and 
 tell you to what place in Texas we are going." 
 
 I very soon went into the ladies saloon, and 
 after having been seated some little time, there 
 came in a very respectable appearing gentleman, 
 who took a seat near, and addressed me, by saying, 
 " My niece informs me you are going to Texas." 
 
 I replied that I was. 
 
 He inquired, " To what part of Texas are you 
 going?" 
 
 Here was a dilemma, but I came up bravely to 
 the occasion by replying, " I have no definite place 
 of destination." 
 
 This elicited a more direct query, " But why, 
 and for what purpose, do you go to Texas ? " 
 
 •I then gave him a brief detail of the motives 
 which inspired me in turning my attention in that 
 direction. But, as I doubted whether I would be 
 able to carry out the design of immediately going 
 among the Mexicans, I purposed to remain in 
 Texas, for a time, and assist in the educational and 
 religious interests of that new State. 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 27 
 
 The gentleman almost bounded from his seat, 
 and with much evident pleasure congratulated me 
 upon such a praiseworthy enterprise. He added, 
 " We are truly in want of good teachers in Texas; 
 indeed, it is the great and pressing need at tiiis 
 stage of progress in the State." He said, also, that 
 before he left Texas for Washington, some three 
 months previous, he was requested by the trustees 
 of the Female Academy at Huntsville, Texas, to 
 procure for them a lady teacher, but had failed to 
 do so, as his time had been so completely occupied 
 in business with the Government, concerning the 
 establishment of mail routes in Texas, that he had 
 not found time. " Besides," added he, " I could 
 hardly venture to ask a well qualified young lady, 
 with the unfavorable impressions which prevail 
 against Texas, to go to the ' Lone Star State.' " 
 He said he presumed the situation was still vacant, 
 and proposed that [ should go on in company with 
 him and his niece and occupy it. He would re- 
 gard it as a special favor if I would take charge 
 of the little girl, and said he would gladly render 
 me the necessary assistance for traveling in Texas, 
 as I should find much difficulty for the lack of 
 suitable conveyance. 
 
 I was inclined to believe that God, who had given 
 me such cheerful confidence in his guiding hand, 
 had provided this way for my entrance into Texas, 
 and I was disposed to take this kind proposition 
 into careful consideration, although) made by an 
 
28 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 entire stranger. He was going by the way of the 
 Red River, and I should have nearly two days 
 travel before leaving the steamer, upon which I 
 had already taken passage, for further acquaint- 
 ance. At the close of the second day, I finally de- 
 cided upon landing at the mouth of Red River, 
 and taking passage with my new-made friends. I 
 found the little girl a pleasant young companion, 
 and the gentleman, in manners and conduct, such 
 as inspired my confidence. 
 
 The boat upon which we ascended the river was 
 quite small, as the depth of water would not admit 
 of the larger steamers. The meandering course of 
 the stream made our trip slow and somewhat un- 
 pleasant, yet the consciousness that I was on the 
 way to the land to which the Lord had called me, 
 greatly lessened the tediousness. When we arrived 
 opposite Alexandria, La., our craft ran upon a sand- 
 bar, and made a final stop. All efforts to extricate 
 the boat seemed to be ineffectual, and for four days 
 we remained in the middle of the river, exposed to 
 the burning sun of June. A more uncomfortable 
 condition could scarcely be imagined, and passen- 
 gers and crew became quite disheartened. 
 
TWBMTY YEABS AMONG THE MBX1CAJSI8. 29 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Prayer to God for deliverance — On our way again — Entrance 
 into Texas — A beautiful country — Lpcated at Huntsville 
 — Interesting field of labor — Arrested by sickness — Ee- 
 covery — Aiding iu religious and educational enterprises — 
 Greatly desiring to carry the torch of Divine Truth to the 
 millions of Mexico. 
 
 THE river was daily becoming more shallow, and 
 the hope of finding any other means of con^ 
 veyance could not be indulged. Railroads, at that 
 early day, especially in that region, were not found 
 at every turn to convey waiting passengers to 
 almost any point of compass. Neither, indeed, 
 were stage coaches to be obtained in that portion 
 of country in which our lot had cast us. 
 
 About the middle of the fourth day I began to 
 feel somewhat as Bunyan's Pilgrim did in the cave 
 of Giant Despair. His extremity was such as to 
 remind him of a forgotten key which he carried iii 
 his bosom, by means of which he was enabled to 
 unlock the strong gates of his prison, and he and 
 his companion walked out of the dismal cell in 
 which they were imprisoned, into light and liberty. 
 The question arose in my mind. Are there no pray- 
 ing souls on board ? God alone can help us, and I 
 will make mention of the arm of Omnipotence, and 
 see if there be any who will res])ond. I touched 
 
30 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 the key-note, and was rejoiced to find several of 
 the passengers who immediately caught the im- 
 pulse. " God will be inquired of before deliver- 
 ance comes," became the watchword. The after- 
 noon was spent in rehearsing the dealings of God 
 with us in times past, and in acknowledging our 
 continued dependence upon Him. The means 
 used were blest, as we believed in answer to prayer, 
 and before sunset our boat was extricated from the 
 cruel bar which so long had held us, and we were 
 soon on our way again. 
 
 During our delay, my gentleman friend went to 
 Alexandria, and there met one of the trustees of 
 Huntsville Academy, who informed him they were 
 still waiting for a teacher, and. requested him to 
 make a positive engagement with me to go directly 
 on to Huntsville. We continued our way up the 
 river as far as Natchitoches, La., where we landed, 
 for going to Texas. A carriage and horses were 
 purchased, and we traveled the remainder of the 
 way, which was three hundred miles, by land. 
 The miserable and desolate looking country which 
 I had pictured, in my imagination, Texas to be, 
 became transformed into one of the most beautiful 
 regions I had ever before beheld. The splendid 
 trees, the verdant plains, and great variety of wild 
 flowers, conspired to make the scene an enchanting 
 one. Instead of a wild and uncultivated popula- 
 tion, I found many highly refined and intelligent 
 people, who had but a short time previous emi- 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 81 
 
 grated from the Southern States to Texas. At 
 Nacogdoches, a place of considerable importance, I 
 was most urgently requested to remain as teacher 
 for several families. The gentleman said, " If you 
 are not pleased witli Huntsville, write us, and we 
 will send a. carriage and bring you back." But I 
 was pleased with Huntsville. I found a town of 
 some five or six hundred inhabitants, most of whom 
 had come to Texas after the annexation to the 
 United States. Several of tlie families had 
 daughters, who had been partially educated before 
 they emigrated, and they greatlj' desired the con- 
 tinuance of their education in their adopted home. 
 My reception was most cordial, and as one after 
 another welcomed me with the warmest greetings, I 
 said to myself, surely " My lines are fallen in pleasant 
 places." Was it singular that I sometimes cast my 
 mind back to the time of my starting for Texas ; 
 when, in my lonely stateroom, on the Mississippi 
 steamer, I indulged in painful' and doubtful 
 soliloquy upon the adventure I was about making? 
 After realizing such wonderful displays of the lov- 
 ing kindness of my Heavenly Father in my be- 
 half, could I ever doubt again in following wherever 
 He, in His Providence, may see fit to lead me? 
 No, never; but we shall see. There are other 
 steeps to climb before life's work is finished, and 
 faith may again falter — but we will not anticipate. 
 " Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." 
 
 I commenced my labors at Huntsville under the 
 
32 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 most favorable auspices, and various departments 
 of usefulness opened before me. Besides week-day 
 and Sunday-schools, I lent a helping hand in writ- 
 ing for some religious and educational periodicals, 
 which were then just in their incipiency. As I 
 could not venture among the Mexicans at that 
 time, I felt that my duty lay, for the time being, 
 among the Texans. Every thing conspired to 
 make my situation peculiarly delightful, and I 
 worked with a purpose commensurate with the de- 
 mands. Surely, I thought, I am sailing on beau- 
 tiful waters. But, oh ! when one year rolled 
 around my overtaxed system gave way, and I was 
 reluctantly obliged to succumb. How keenly I 
 felt the blow ! To give up my dearly cherished 
 work was, in my estimation, an unparalleled mis- 
 fortune. My nervous system was much affected, 
 and my mind indulged in very uncomfortable 
 vagaries. An unfulfilled responsibility seemed 
 resting upon me, and my constant grief was I must 
 die and leave the anticipated work of my life un- 
 done. On one hand was a life purpose unaccom- 
 plished, and on the other a sinking, dying body. 
 I was much relieved one day by words of comfort 
 from a cherished Christian friend. Making my 
 doleful lamentations to him, he replied, with much 
 emphasis, " Yon are not called to die yet, but you 
 will live to accomjilish some work for God." I 
 replied, Oh ! can such a boon be granted me, I will 
 welcome life on any shore, and among any people, 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 33 
 
 however inhospitable ! After several months of 
 intense suffering, both of body and of mind, a new 
 lease of life was granted, by a partial restoration 
 of my health, so I was able again to resume my 
 labors. 
 
 My bitter experience had taught me to take 
 better care of the tenement in which I dwelt, and 
 I endeavored to limit my duties to the amount of 
 physical ability I possessed. I assisted in the es- 
 tablishment of schools, devoting a portion of my 
 time to writing for publication. A little book, 
 entitled "Texas, 1850," was the product of my pen, 
 in which I endeavored to show the great need of 
 evangelical laborers in Texas, not only on its own 
 account, but on account of its prospective influence 
 over Mexico. I do not think I made a very strik- 
 ing exhibition of authorship, but the desire of 
 benefiting those neglected countries by represent- 
 ing their real condition, and their pressing wants, 
 perhaps afforded an excuse for the attempt. I re- 
 mained two years longer, building up schools in 
 different parts of the State, and ever and anon cast- 
 ing my eye towards the dark regions beyond, with 
 earnest longings for the time when I would be per- 
 mitted to carry the torch of Divine Truth to the 
 millions of souls in Mexico who were buried be- 
 neath the rubbish of papal error and superstition. 
 
84 TWENTY YEAE8 AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Entrance upon work for the Mexican people — Important in- 
 formation gained through Rev. Daniel Baker — Decide to 
 go to Brownsville — A Mexican population there — Sight of 
 a live Mexican — Heartfelt sympathy for the whole nation 
 — No place for boarding could be obtained — Home of my 
 own — Could not go into Mexico with the Bible — The laws 
 prohibiting Protestant Christianity— Opened a school for 
 Mexican children on the American side of the Eio 
 Grande — Encouraged in my efforts in teaching the Bible 
 — The parents making no objections, but desiring the Bi- 
 ble themselves — Dangers of living on the frontier — Trust 
 in Providence — Exchanging a Bible for a " saint " — Dis- 
 tribution of Bibles among Mexicans on the American and 
 Mexican side of the river. 
 
 IN the spring of 1852 I believed the time had 
 fully come for me to commence my work for 
 the Mexican people. I had gained some very im- 
 portant information in regard to my probable suc- 
 cess, through Rev. Daniel Baker, D.D., a Presby- 
 terian minister, who, in 1850, had ascended the 
 Rio Grande River as far as Roma, a distance of 
 two hundred miles, for investigating the condition 
 of the country for evangelical work. He repre- 
 sented the Mexicans as accessible, and many of 
 them manifesting the desire for instruction in the 
 Bible. 
 
 I left Jefferson, Eastern Texas, in May, and went 
 to New Orleans to take passage on a vessel for 
 
TWENTY YEABS AHOMQ THE MEXICANS. 35 
 
 Brazos Santiago, near the mouth of the Rio 
 Grande River. I purposed going to Brownsville, 
 a place situated about sixty miles up the river, 
 opposite Matamoras, Mexico. The steamship for 
 which I waited brought news of the invasion of 
 Brownsville, by Indians, of a very alarming char- 
 acter. This condition of affairs, prevailing at the 
 place of my destination, presented somewhat of an 
 obstacle in the way of the further prosecution of 
 my journey, as I had hoped that things had become 
 sufficiently settled on the frontier to insure per- 
 sonal safety at least. But. could I turn back be- 
 cause of difficulties in the way ? I thought of the 
 trials of " Pilgrim," who met lions in the way, 
 and also of the advice given him " To keep in the 
 middle of the road, and the lions could not harm 
 him." " Duty to 'God " was my watchword, and 
 on His powerful arm I trusted for protection, and I 
 resolved to go forward. Remaining in New Or- 
 leans over the Sabbath, I attended what was then 
 Rev. Dr. Scott's church, where I heard a sermon 
 from a stranger (Dr. S. being absent) which fully 
 established my faith in God's Providential dealings 
 with his people. Although that stranger, who was 
 a foreigner, judging by his dialect, may never 
 know, in this world, the comforting message he 
 brought to me on that occasion, perhaps a future 
 day will reveal that it was a word spoken in 
 season to one soul at least. With renewed courage 
 I took passage, and crossed the Gulf of Mexico, 
 
36 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 landing at Brazos, and passing over an arm of the 
 sea, arrived at Point Isabel. There I took a stage 
 for Brownsville. 
 
 A new sensation seized me when I saw, for the 
 first time, a Mexican, a representative of the nation 
 for which I had entertained such profound interest. 
 I did not feel, as many others have expressed, that 
 the sight of a Mexican was enough to disgust one 
 with the whole nation. A heartfelt sympathy was 
 revived, not by the prepossessing exterior, surely, 
 but because a priceless soul was incased in it for whom 
 the Savior had died. And a whole nation of souls, 
 shut out from the light of the gospel of salvation, 
 pressed with an increased influence upon my heart. 
 Although I was coming into a land of new and 
 untried scenes, yet I felt God's presence encom- 
 passing me,^ and I repeated the lines of Madame 
 Guyon, 
 
 " To me belongs nor time nor space, 
 My conntry is in every place; 
 I can be calm and free from care, 
 On any shore, since Ood is there." 
 
 Just before arriving in Brownsville, the driver 
 of the stage asked me where I wished to be left. 
 I replied, "Take me to the best hotel in town." 
 He answered, " There is no hotel in Brownsville." 
 This intelligence was somewhat of a damper upon 
 my feelings and prospects, and I mused upon the 
 unpleasant condition of a stranger arriving in such 
 a place after nine o'clock at night. After a little 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG" THE MEXICANS. 37 
 
 time the driver said, " I know a German woman 
 who sometimes takes lady boarders, and I will take 
 you to her house." Accordingly, I was set down 
 at this woman's door, and I found my way inside, 
 and asked for a night's lodging. The woman 
 kindly received me, and I passed the night very 
 comfortably. 
 
 At ten o'clock the next day I sallied out in 
 quest of more commodious quarters. I found an 
 American family, with -which I was invited to re- 
 main a few days, but they could not give me per- 
 manent board. After several applications for a 
 boarding-place, I was finally compelled to provide 
 a home for myself, which 1 did, by renting two 
 rooms, one for a residence, and the other I intended 
 appropriating to school purposes. The day before 
 opening my school, I went to my rooms, but not 
 under very auspicious circumstances. At dark, I 
 had no bed to sleep on, nor did I know how I was 
 to obtain my breakfast, to say nothing of a supper. 
 But before the hour of retiring came, a Mexican 
 woman brought me a cot, an Amewcan woman sent 
 me a pillow, and a German woman came and said 
 she would cook my meals and bring them to me. 
 Did I not feel rich that night as I retired to my 
 humble cot? Indeed, I never closed my eyes in 
 sleep with more profound feelings of thankfulness 
 to God. I fully believed I was where my Divine 
 Master had called me to go — upon the border of 
 that land where I had so long desired to be — and 
 
38 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 to whose people I trusted the Lord would make me 
 eminently useful. 
 
 Next morning I opened my school with five 
 pupils, but more promised. The education of the 
 children seemed the most feasable means of bene- 
 fitting the people at that time, and I opened a 
 school although upon the American side of the 
 Rio Grande. The laws of Mexico, at that time, 
 most positively forbade the introduction of Prot- 
 estant Christianity in any form, and had I gone 
 into Mexico proper for the purpose of teaching the 
 Bible, I should have been imprisoned. 
 
 That portion of Texas between the Rio Grande 
 and Nueces Rivers had been claimed by Mexico 
 previous to the late war, but the United States had 
 conquered, and, consequently, it was under our 
 government. Some thousands of Mexican people 
 preferred rernaining in their old homes, which fact 
 gave me an opportunity of laboring among Mexi- 
 cans under the protection of our own government. 
 I was truly happy in a short time in obtaining some 
 thirty or forty Mexican children, and giving them 
 daily instruction in the Bible, against which the 
 parents manifested no objection. I found some 
 who could read in the Spanish language, and a few 
 who had acquired some knowledge of the English. 
 The parents were greatly desirous their children 
 should learn the English language, and become 
 Americanized, and hence my school received popu- 
 lar favor on that account. To be able to put the 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 39 
 
 Bible into the hands of three or four dozen Mexi- 
 can children, and give them instruction in its 
 blessed teachings, I felt to be an unspeakable priv- 
 ilege. Although the work might look small to the 
 eye of iiuman reason, yet faith bade me hope it 
 might prove a beginning, and I was satisfied to work 
 on, even in this small way. The parables of our 
 Savior afforded me much encouragement, especially 
 those in which He compares the kingdom of heaven 
 to a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown, is 
 the least of all seeds, yet from it sprang a tree 
 sufficiently large for the fowls of heaven to lodge 
 in its branches; also "to leaven, which a woman 
 took (there was a good deal of significance in the 
 fact that it was a woman) and hid in three measures 
 of meal, until the whole was leavened." 
 
 My exposed situation made me exceedingly timid, 
 especially by -night, as Indians were reported to be 
 upon the outskirts of the town, and liable any night 
 to break in and commit depredations. Besides, 
 there were any number of lawless Mexicans prowl- 
 ing about for purposes of theft, etc. I was told 
 " there were plenty who would take my life for the 
 dress I took off at night." My dwelling was near 
 a house in which resided Caravajal, a Mexican 
 general, who had besieged Matamoras a few months 
 before, and who was liable to an arrest any time by 
 the authorities of Matamoras. In order to repel 
 an attack, he kept a body-guard stationed around 
 his house at night. Knowing I was alone, and un- 
 
40 TWENTY YEAKS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 protected, he kindly informed me that his guard 
 would afford ample protection to my premises also; 
 but I did not feel my safety augmented by having 
 Caravajal, with all his dangers, so near me, even 
 though he had provided himself the means of re- 
 pelling his enemies. In case of an attack, my 
 domicil, with its slender walls, would as likely be 
 penetrated by bullets as his. During the first month 
 of my residence in Brownsville, I suffered much 
 anxiety, and kept almost a constant watch all 
 through the lonely hours of night. Finally, I came 
 to the conclusion that, should my house be dis- 
 turbed by any of those marauders, I should feel it 
 my duty to leave the field of labor, however in- 
 viting, in other respects, it might be. But after 
 watching some weeks, and no visible disturbance 
 occurring, I resolved to remain, continue my work, 
 and trust in Pi'ovidence. I was enabled to relin- 
 quish all my fears, and slept quietly, with a feeling 
 of security as much as if I knew a sentinel was 
 placed at each corner of my dwelling. " The name 
 of the Lord is a strong tower ; the righteous run- 
 neth into it, and is safe." My school prospered, 
 and I was encouraged in finding the Mexican chil- 
 dren susceptible of moral and mental improvement. 
 Many of them I found addicted to the vices pecu- 
 liar to their race ; but, by proper instruction, I soon 
 observed a very decided change. I was told by an 
 American gentleman, who had had considerable 
 acquaintance with Mexican character, that stealing 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 4] 
 
 was inherent among those people, and could not be 
 eradicated. My experience entirely disproved this 
 assertion, as after a few months, children, who would 
 take things which did not belong to them, became 
 convinced of the error, and entirely abandoned the 
 practice. I endeavored to impress them that the 
 Bible was God's Book, and what He taught us in 
 that we must obey. The instruction given to the 
 children was conveyed by them to the parents, and 
 they, too, wished to see the Book from whence the 
 instruction was derived. A mother of one of the 
 little girls of my school came to my door one day, 
 bringing her " saint," as she called it; she said she 
 had prayed to it all her life, and it had never done 
 her any good, and asked me if I would take the 
 " saint " and give her a Bible for it. I very readily 
 made the exchange. Indeed, I was well enough 
 pleased to give her two Bibles, as she said she had 
 a friend over in Matamoras who wanted the good 
 Book also.* 
 
 I visited many of the homes of my pupils, and 
 wherever I could find any of the family who could 
 read, I left a Bible, or a portion of it. I was much 
 gratified in finding many of the adults who could 
 read in their own language. This fact greatly en- 
 larged my prospect of benefiting the Mexican ])eo- 
 ple, as they almost uniformly manifested a great 
 desire to see what had been a proscribed Book to 
 
 * Thia woman and her daughter afterward became my moBt 
 efficient, helpers in the distributicfn of the Bible in Mesico. 
 4 
 
42 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 them. I believed tlie Bible to be the main instru- 
 mentality of renovating that long-neglected race, 
 and I aimed to extend its circulation among all 
 whom I could by any means reach. But there were 
 the millions upon the other side of the Rio Grande, 
 wlio, by the most stringent laws of the government, 
 were siiut up in impenetrable darkness. When I 
 cast my eye over into that priest-bound country, 
 my heart yearned for its emancipation from the 
 dreadful tyranny of papal laws. But upon my 
 distressing thoughts a light suddenly arose by ascer- 
 taining that Bibles were being carried over into that 
 dark land by the Mexicans on the American side 
 of the river. Alth()ugh I knew the transfer of 
 Bibles into Mexico to be a direct violation of the 
 laws of the country, yet T felt no conscientious 
 scruples in lending tiiem my aid ; for I felt God's 
 Word to be above all human law, and no earthly 
 power had the right of withholding it from any of 
 God's accountable creatures. 
 
 Dozens of Bibles were carried over the river, and 
 distributed among the people, who gladly received 
 them. I became convinced that good might be 
 done, even by this slight skirmishing upon the out- 
 skirts of the enemy's camp. The missils which 
 were being sent were of a character to do powerful 
 execution; and I doubted not but it would ulti- 
 mately be seen that, by them, essential damage had 
 been received in this kingdom of darkness, where 
 Satan had so long reigned with undisputed sway. 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 43 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Recruits of the enemy from abroad — Looking to God for help 
 against tlie mighty — A French convent propoBed — Ee- 
 Bolved to erect a Protestant seminary, by its side — Started 
 for New Orleans — Perils by sea — Proposed seminary re- 
 garded chimerical by the ministers of New Orleans — 
 Could not abandon my purpose — Protestant Christians 
 must aid me in building a seminary — Soliciting funds — 
 Encounters with two business men — Aid from the Presby- 
 terian Boai'd of Education. 
 
 IN the midst of the most sanguine expectations 
 of permanent good upon this frontier, I was 
 surprised, one day, by hearing that several priests 
 and nuns had come from France to establish their 
 head-quarters at Brownsville. They had brought 
 means for erecting a convent, for the evident pur- 
 pose of educating the youth of the E,io Grande 
 Valley. Suddenly and unexpectedly, all my pros- 
 pects of usefulness there seemed completely frus- 
 trated ; for what could I do, with such an array of 
 influences against Protestantism and the Bible ? 
 But, could I abandon the field, and leave it in the 
 hands of foreign priests and nuns ? Indeed, I 
 could not get my own consent to run bef<)re popery, 
 while I held in my hand such a powerful spiritual 
 weapon as the Word of God, and I was enabled to 
 carry the matter to the throne of grace, and wait 
 for Divine direction. I spent whole nights in 
 
44 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 prayer to God. During one of those seasons in 
 wiiich I was earnestly seeking for guidance, a light 
 suddenly dawned on my mind, from these words in 
 the book of Revelation : " These shall make war 
 with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome 
 them : for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: 
 and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, 
 and faithful." The impression that these words 
 made upon my heart, immediately settled the ques- 
 tion of my remaining. Although single-handed 
 and alone, yet, with the assurance derived from 
 these words of Scripture, I felt stronger than my 
 enemies; and I resolved to stay and maintain my 
 post. In order to make a successful stand, I must 
 have a building M'hich would bear some compari- 
 son with the party with which I had to compete. 
 My accommodations hitherto had been exceedingly 
 limited ; and, as I could obtain no aid from the in- 
 habitants of that region, I resolved to go to the 
 United States and secure the means for building a 
 Protestant seminary at Brownsville. If France 
 could afford to send four millions of dollars to the 
 United States for educational purposes, (as she did 
 that year) I felt that the Protestant Christians of 
 the United States could afford a few hundred for 
 the Rio Grande ; so, I closed my school, and set my 
 face toward my native land, feeling quite assured of 
 prompt and efficient aid. The scene of my depart- 
 ure was calculated to deepen my interest for these 
 people. As I was about starting on the stage for 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 45 
 
 Brazos, I was surrounded by the Mexican girls and 
 their mothers, each uttering the earnest request, 
 " come back," " come bach very soon," and they 
 stood and watched me with tearful eyes, until I 
 passed out of their sight. When I arrived at 
 Brazos, I could find no conveyance to New Orleans 
 but a sciiooner, and that very small and inconven- 
 ient. It being the time of the year for violent 
 "Northers," we had a most tempestuous and 
 dangerous passage. We were twelve days out, and 
 for some four or five, we lay to in the middle of 
 the Gulf, surging amid the angry waves. Great 
 fears were entertained that our puny bark would 
 go to the bottom of the sea; and for several nights 
 I did not get into my berth, as the violent rocking 
 of the vessel made it impossible to obtain a mo- 
 ment's rest. Often did my natural timidity get 
 the ascendency, and I would say to myself, "If I 
 ever set my foot on land again, I will never more 
 attempt to cross the Gulf of Mexico." But 1 was 
 tried in this fearful manner, until I was brought to 
 exclaim, "As long as my Heavenly Father wills, 
 will I trust my life at his bidding, and, should He 
 see fit to take me hence in this manner, I would 
 say, ' Even so, come Lord Jesus.' " We finally 
 arrived in New Orleans, and learned that our ves- 
 sel had been published in the Daily Picayune, 
 "Supposed to be lost at sea." With gratitude for 
 God's preserving care, I hastened with my darling 
 object to see my Protestant friends, who, I felt 
 
46 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 quite assured would realize its importance and 
 feasibility as I did. But my first presentation met 
 with a decided disapproval. The idea of establish- 
 ing a Protestant institution upon that papal frontier 
 was regarded as chimerical and absurd in the ex- 
 treme. The counselors to whom I resorted were 
 some of the wisest and most reliable clergymen of 
 the South, and, how could I ligiitly regard tlie 
 judgment and advice of these Cliristian men ? Yet, 
 how was I to dispose of the impression that God 
 had put the work into my hands, and required me 
 to prosecute it. In inclining to follow the advice 
 of my friends, the denunciations passed upon some 
 in olden time would meet me, '' Woe unto the re- 
 bellious children, saith tlie Lord, wlio take counsel, 
 but not of Jfe.'' I could no more throw off my 
 duty to God in this matter, than I could throw off 
 my existence; and I resolved to go forward, and if 
 needs be, take the kingdom of heaven by violence, 
 in obedience to my rightful Lord and Master. A 
 Protestant seminary must be reared in the Rio 
 Grande Valley, under the auspices of Protestant 
 Christians of the United States. 
 
 I I'emained in New Orleans a month ; and, by 
 persevering in the ])resentation of my cause, intill its 
 various bearings and necessities, my most strenuous 
 opposers became my ^rarmest friends. The important 
 query was raised, whether I had sufficient fortitude 
 to withstand tlie difficulties which I must necessar- 
 ily encounter in obtaining funds, as well as in 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 47 
 
 sustaining a Protestant institution in the midst of 
 so many opposing influences. I called, one day, 
 upon a Cliristian gentleman, who most kindly ad- 
 monished me that the undertaking was entirely 
 incompatible with the character of a lady, and ad- 
 vised me not to expose myself in collecting funds 
 in the manner I was pursuing. He said, " You 
 will receive rebuffs and insults which will kill all 
 the finer instincts of the soul." I felt there was 
 much truth in what he said; and, thanking him for 
 his candid expressions, I left his house with the 
 feeling that I never would enter a business house 
 again with my object. But another house was but a 
 few steps, which I had been informed was the oflSce 
 of a good man, and an impulse seized me, to go in, 
 and see what he had to say to me. Accordingly, I 
 stepped in, and saw several gentlemen sitting at 
 their desks, but I did not know the one to whom I 
 wished to speak. I hastily cast my eye around, 
 and selected the one who, I thought, possessed the 
 most benevolent countenance, and approached him. 
 He very politely requested me to be seated. I in- 
 troduced myself by presenting my credentials, which 
 I had received from the ministei's of New Orleans, 
 and commenced making apologies that a woman 
 should be engaged in such an unlady-like enter- 
 prize. 
 
 "By no means," said he, "is it contrary to the 
 most refined delicacy of the female sex to be en- 
 gaged in works of philanthropy for the elevation 
 
48 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 of fallen humanity. It is woman's proper calling. 
 The Savior forever sanctified the services of women 
 by the commendation he gave to them. Do not 
 hesitate to go forward in any work of benevolence 
 to which your Master may call you." Were not 
 the timely words of this man like heavenly balm to 
 my lacerated heart? It seemed Jesus spoke, and 
 said to me, "Fear not, it is your Father's good 
 pleasure, to give you the kingdom;" and I went 
 forward, determined never to falter again. Al- 
 though I did not get much money in New Orleans, 
 yet, I obtained letters of recommendation from 
 several of the most influential men in the city. 
 
 Leaving New Orleans, I went to Louisville, Ky., 
 and was kindly received ; but, as the churches were 
 engaged in making their annual contributions to 
 other objects,' I received no present aid, but was 
 promised that at some future time they would assist 
 me in my enterprise. I then went on to Phila- 
 delphia, arriving the 4th day of March, 1853, at 2 
 o'clock in the morning. At 9 o'clock of the same 
 morning I was wending my way to the rooms of 
 the Presbyterian Board of Education, with a letter 
 of introduction from Rev. Dr. Hill, of Louisville, 
 to the secretaries, Drs. Chester and Van Rensselaer. 
 With these reverend gentlemen I had to ])ass an- 
 otlier severe and trying ordeal. All tlie difficulties 
 of the enterprise were again brouglit forward, and 
 paraded with considerable embellishment. I met 
 thein with arguments, which I thought ouglit to 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 49 
 
 have weight, but they seemed to make but little 
 impression upon either of the gentlemen, particu- 
 larly upon Dr. Chester. He seemed determined 
 that my enterprise should prove a failure. After 
 talking some time, without making any apparent 
 impression favorable to the cause, I arose and said, 
 /'Gentlemen, I leave the responsibilities of the 
 proper education of the youth of that portion of 
 country upon your hands. I have done what I 
 can, and henceforth my skirts are clear of the 
 criminal negligence of leaving the beloved youth 
 of the Rio Grande Valley to the baleful influence 
 of foreign popery." Dr. Chester immediately 
 arose to his feet, and with much emphasis, said, "I 
 am not going to take the Rio Grande upon my 
 shoulders, you are the one to bear that burden. 
 We have fully tested your proper understanding 
 of the difficult enterprise, and your ability in 
 carrying it forward. We are now ready to inquire 
 of your wants." I replied, " I must have money." 
 "How much," said he, "do you want of us?" I 
 felt quite subdued and modestly replied, "two or 
 three hundred dollars." He replied, "You must 
 not leave Philadelphia with less than Jive hundred. 
 If the Board of Education do not see proper to 
 give you two hundred. Dr. Van Rensselaer and I 
 will pay it out of our own pockets, and the remain- 
 ing three hundred I will put you in the way of 
 obtaining from the Presbyterian churches of the 
 city." 
 
 5 
 
50 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 I remained a month and obtained the amount 
 promised, and then went on to Boston, and ob- 
 tained from the churches of that city another five 
 hundred. I became fully confident that a Protes- 
 tant seminary would surely rear its head by the 
 side of the French convent which was already ris- 
 ing upon the distant Rio Grande. Oh ! how my 
 heart exulted in the prospect of the Bible having 
 its place and exerting its due influence upon the 
 hearts and minds of the rising generation of that 
 land I 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMON& THE MEXICANS. 51 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Laborious work to obtain money for the Mexicans — Some 
 proposed bullets instead of Bibles — Variety of treatment 
 — Helped by a. Catholic — Treated rudely by a lady — Not 
 discouraged — Find many friends to the cause — Many 
 liberal donations — Finally obtain sufficient funds for my 
 seminary building. 
 
 THE fatigue attending my arduous duties, com- 
 pelled me to suspend my labors for a portion of 
 the summer months. Early in the autumn, I started 
 from Pittsburg, Pa., by steamer, intending to take 
 the entire course of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, 
 stopping at all towns and cities where I had any 
 prospect of obtaining money. The prejudices ex- 
 isting against the Mexicans, engendered during the 
 late war, often proved great barriers to my success. 
 The sentiment was expressed by many, that " the 
 Mexicans were a people just fit to be exterminated 
 from the earth." Even ministers of the gospel 
 said to me, " We had better send bullets and gun- 
 powder to Mexico than Bibles." Of such I gener- 
 ally asked the question, " What class of persons did 
 our Savior come from heaven to save, the right- 
 eous or the wicked?" Just such a class of sinners 
 as the Mexicans. Sometimes I would receive do- 
 nations in this way, *' We do not care for the Mex- 
 icans, but, seeing you so devoted to their cause, we 
 
52 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 will give something for your sake." One man, 
 after applying all the contemptible epithets to the 
 Mexicans he could think of, said, "Out of pity to 
 you, whose appearance and spirit I like, in having 
 such a bad cause in hand, I will give you ten dol- 
 lars for your own personal use." I declined receiv- 
 ing it for myself,- saying, "Money can not compen- 
 sate me for what I am doing, but, if you will give 
 it me to appropriate as I wish, I will do it upon 
 my own responsibility." He consented, but I could 
 not set him down as a "cheerful giver." At some 
 places where I stopped, if I could obtain ten dollars 
 a day, I would remain ten days, until I would get 
 one hundred. At some cities, such as Cincinnati 
 and Louisville, I received very liberal aid. Pur- 
 suing my arduous way, "through rude and stormy 
 scenes,'' I arrived in Natchez, Miss., in March, 
 1854. Here I found a wealthy and benevolent 
 people, and I made rapid strides toward the com- 
 pletion of my enterprise. . The wealthy class of 
 people lived mostly in the country, on plantations, 
 and my canvassing was generally some distance 
 from the city. Occasionally, friends would give 
 me a ride, but usually I walked, and frequently I 
 traveled some eight or ten miles a day; but my 
 labor was so generously rewarded, I forgot the fa- 
 tigue of the way. One day, I went to see a lady 
 who was recommended as being very benevolent. 
 Upon inquiry, I was told the lady was absent, but 
 that her husband was at home, and I could see him 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 53 
 
 if I wisbed. I was ushered into his room, and, after 
 respectful salutation, said, " I came to see your wife." 
 
 He very pleasantly replied that perhaps he would 
 do as well, and, if I pleased, I might deliver my 
 message to him. Thus encouraged, I gave a very 
 elaborate delineation of the great need of evangel- 
 ical laborers in that papal land, and especially as 
 it was becoming overrun by foreign Roman Cathol- 
 icism. I was unusually eloquent upon the subject, 
 as my listener manifested such a deep interest. 
 
 When I concluded, he arose, went to his desk, 
 took out twenty dollars, and handed me, saying, 
 " I presume you do not know that I am a Roman 
 Catholic." 
 
 There were a few " feathers dropped out of my 
 cap," at that moment, and the most profound mor- 
 tification took possession of me. But his smiling 
 face re-assured me, and I very meekly said I did not 
 know he was a Catholic. 
 
 He replied, "I am so by name only. My 
 parents and all my ancestors were Roman Catho- 
 lics, but I have no preferences for that religion. 
 My wife is an Episcopalian, and I attend her 
 church. He continued, " I am convinced you will 
 do good to those people, and I have very cheerfully 
 contributed my aid." 
 
 We parted the best of friends, and I told him 
 that in future I would take a better lookout, lest 
 I might find more dangerous soundings than I had 
 found with him. 
 
54 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 My pleasant experience in Natchez will perhaps 
 warrant the recital of one little episode, showing 
 some of the more trying vicissitudes to which so- 
 licitors of money may be subjected. 
 
 I was, while in Natchez, directed to call upon a 
 very wealthy lady. She was a member of the 
 Presbyterian Church, and although somewhat pe- 
 culiar, it was thought that the proper presentation 
 of my cause might elicit a liberal donation. I 
 called, and was taken into her presence by the serv- 
 ant. I introduced myself in my usual way, and 
 presented the object of my visit with becoming 
 propriety ; but it seemed she was in a most un- 
 gracious mood, for she replied with great vehe- 
 mence, " I have nothing to give you, besides I 
 know nothing about you. You may be an impos- 
 tor, as there are many going about under like pre- 
 tences." 
 
 I was stung to the quick by her unjust allusion, 
 and hastened to produce my papers, some of which 
 were recommendations from members of her own 
 church. I said, " I do not care for your money, 
 but I do wish to convince you that I am not an 
 impostor." But she paid no heed to what I said, 
 and with most angry demonstrations ordered her 
 servant to open the door, and bade me go out. I 
 walked out, of course, but with the deepest humil- 
 iation I ever experienced in my life. 
 
 With flushed face, and falling tears, I went on 
 my way until I came to another stately mansion to 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 55 
 
 which I was also directed. I hesitated entering, 
 as from my recent experience I would gladly have 
 avoided exposing myself again to heartless and 
 bitter cruelty. But, I reflected, benevolence and 
 humanity are not perished from the earth because 
 of the conduct of this woman ; her spirit is the 
 exception, not the rule. I entered, although with 
 a trembling heart; but upon my first introduction 
 I saw I had a different person with whom to deal, 
 from the one I had just encountered. The lady 
 of the house received me with the utmost kind- 
 ness, made me. a liberal donation, and when I 
 left accompanied me to her gate, and pointed to the 
 house I had just left, saying, " There lives my sis- 
 ter, go there. I know she will give you something 
 for your caufse." I did not tell her I had already 
 been there. I would not wound her feelings by 
 the recital of her sister's conduct toward me. 
 
 Some two or three years after, I was traveling 
 on bu.siness connected with my work, and stopped 
 in one of the Northern cities, where I was informed 
 of a shocking railroad accident which had just oc- 
 curred near by. A lady who had visited the 
 scene of the disaster, told me of one of the suf- 
 ferers, a lady from Natchez, Miss. By the descrip- 
 tion, I was confident it was the person from whom 
 I had received such ungracious treatment. The 
 poor woman, with broken limbs and lacerated flesh, 
 was bewailing her great affliction, and the painful 
 deprivation of the comforts of her palatial home in 
 
56 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 Mississippi. A little shanty, from which she 
 could not be removed, was all she could have for 
 her accommodation. My heart was moved at the 
 recital of her distresses, and could I possibly have 
 gone to her, would most gladly have tried to min- 
 ister to her comfort. I could only put up the 
 prayer that God would comfort her, and forgive her 
 for so misjudging me. But I soon passed on, and 
 never heard of her more. 
 
TWEKTY YEAK8 AMOMG THE MEXICANS. 57 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Keturii to Brownsville — Fourteen months away — The convent 
 built — Contracted with a responsible man for the erection 
 of my building — Kented rooms, and opened my school 
 again — School soon full — Commenced Bible and Tract 
 distribution — Unbelief of Protestants — Great trials on 
 that account — In 1854 enter my new seminary — Dedica- 
 tion — Much encouragement by new openings of usefulness. 
 
 BUT I have wandered from my narrative, and I 
 will return to my journey toward the land of 
 my adoption. From' Natchez I went to New Or- 
 leans, and took passage on a vessel for Brazos. I 
 had been absent from Brownsville fourteen months, 
 and I began to feel quite solicitous to know how 
 matters stood in my destined field of labor. 
 
 When I arrived in Brownsville, I found the 
 convent completed — a spacious three story build- 
 ing, situated in the most conspicuous part of the 
 town, and in it were gathered most of the girls of 
 the Rio Grande. Nothing daunted, I contracted 
 with a responsible man for the erection of my Sem- 
 inary building; rented my former rooms, and 
 opened my school again. The attendance was 
 small at first, but before the close of the second 
 month all my former pupils had returned, and sev- 
 eral new ones came, also. I possessed one impor- 
 tant advantage, namely, the Mexicans desired their 
 
58 TWENTY YBAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 children to learn the English, and as that language 
 was but imperfectly taught in the convent, many 
 left and came to me on that account. My school 
 prospered beyond my most sanguine expectations. 
 I renewed my Bible and Tract distriljution, and 
 found an increasing interest for the Word of Life, 
 both on the Texan and Mexican side of the Rio. 
 Grande. 
 
 Here let me state one painful trial I had to en- 
 counter. The bitterest thing with which I had to 
 contend was the incredulity which prevailed among 
 the American population as to any good being done 
 to the Mexican people. Some professed Protestant 
 Christians were among the number; and, indeed, I 
 regret to say, my greatest opposers were among 
 those wlio believed they had been recipients of the 
 blessings of the Gospel of Christ. 
 
 "Wliat can we do for such a hopeless race?" was 
 the usual suggestion when I attempted to urge the 
 importance of evangelical labor in behalf of the 
 Mexicans. My reply uniformly was, " Give them 
 the Gospel, which is the antidote for all moral 
 evils. The extreme degradation in which we find 
 them is for the want of the ameliorating influence 
 of Bible Christianity." Some went so far as to 
 say, "The Mexicans have a religion good enough 
 for them, and we had better let tliem alone." My 
 zeal and efforts were regarded as a sort of insanity, 
 and I more dreaded meeting a Protestant Christian 
 in my rounds of Bible distribution than 1 did a 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 59 
 
 Eomish priest. From the latter I expected perse- 
 cution, but from the former I had reason to look 
 for sympathy for Christ's sake. Sometimes I al- 
 most staggered under the misconstructions put up- 
 on missionary labors for the poor despised Mexi- 
 cans. 
 
 One Sabbath afternoon I was sitting in my room, 
 musing upon the probabilities of any successful re- 
 sults of my efforts, and came quite near falling in- 
 to the incredulous views of my Protestant friends. 
 My reflections were, "Why should I presume to be 
 so much wiser than those who have had much more 
 acquaintance with Mexican character than I have 
 had? Surely, I thought, I am quite too independ- 
 ent in my views, and I will suspend my wild oper- 
 ations." Arriving at this stage of my soliloquies, 
 over and above came a voice, although not heard 
 by mortal ears, yet equally as impressive : " Go ye 
 into all the world and preach the gospel to every 
 creature." ^' Every creature?" said I: "does not 
 this command embrace the Mexicans? Surely it 
 does; and it is Christ who gives this command, 
 and I will obey Him although I offend all else." 
 I arose immediately, determined to do my duty; 
 and although all the Mexicans should come up on 
 the left hand in the great day, as my Protestant 
 friends seemed to have doomed them to do, it shall 
 be said of me, "She has done what she could" for 
 their salvation. I took some books and went out 
 again administering the Word of Life, and was ev- 
 
60 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 ery-where thankfully received. "Muohas gracias" 
 (many thanks) were uniformly expressed as I passed 
 into their hands some portion of the Scriptures. I 
 felt I was sowing seed which God had commanded 
 to be sown " beside all waters," and I was deter- 
 mined to persevere, believing that "His word would 
 not return void, but would accomplish that which 
 He pleased, and prosper in the thing whereunto 
 He sent it." 
 
 I found opportunities of sending hundreds of 
 Bibles and hundreds of thousands of pages of the 
 Tract Society's publications, in Spanish, into Mex- 
 ico; and although the living teacher could not ac- 
 company them, yet I had faith to believe that the 
 same Spirit which indited the Word could enlighten 
 the spiritual sense of these people into the knowl- 
 edge of those truths whereby their souls might 
 be delivered from the bondage of sin and Satan, 
 although shut up in the prison-house of papal 
 power. 
 
 In the autumn of 1854 1 entered my new seminary. 
 This was an auspicious event. The days of labor 
 and scenes of anxious" solicitude were all forgotten 
 on the morning I assembled my pupils for the first 
 time in this Protestant institution. I explained to 
 them that the building had been given by Christian 
 friends abroad for their benefit, and endeavOred to 
 impress thera with the vast importance of improv- 
 ing the privileges it would aiford them to tlie best 
 advantage possible. With my Mexican girls, T con- 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 61 
 
 secrated this new edifice to God by reading a por- 
 tion of Scripture and by prayer. The American 
 Bible and Tract Societies of New York continued 
 to supply my demands for books; although I often 
 wondered at their liberality, considering the very 
 unpopular work I had in hand. I used often to 
 think, in reference to the indifference which pre- 
 vailed so extensively towards Mexico and her peo- 
 ple, that the Lord had chosen me for the work be- 
 cause I was so very insignificant, and it mattered 
 little if I did spend my poor life and services among 
 the Mexicans. Sometimes I would take a view of 
 the stupendous character of the undertaking — the 
 beginning of a work upon a nation comprising eight 
 millions of immortal souls! ' I would wonder why 
 the Lord did not select a more efficient agent — some 
 minister of the Gospel whose capacity was adequate 
 to the great demand. Then would come np before 
 me the declaration of the Apostle: "Has not God 
 chosen the weah things of this world to confound 
 the things which are mighty, that no flesh should 
 glory in his presence?" I had to acknowledge that 
 it was God's own economy, to select just such a weak 
 instrument as myself. His Word, which was my 
 principal instrumentality, was just as powerful in 
 my weak hands as in those of a learned doctor of 
 divinity. When discouragements arose from not 
 seeing the immediate results of my labors, a voice 
 would seem to say to me, " What is that to thee ? 
 follow thou me." I was made willing to labor all 
 
62 TWENTY YBAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 my life, upon the simple command and promise of 
 God, even though I might never witness any visi- 
 ble results, in the belief that a harvest would be 
 gathered, although it might not be until I lay in 
 my grave. 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 64 
 
 CHAPTEE IX. 
 
 Need of help — The appeal made — The case stated — Letter 
 puhlished hy the American and Foreign Christian Union 
 — An effort made to find a suitable colporteur — None 
 could be found — Become a colporteur myself — The A. & 
 F. C. U. furnishing an assistant in my school — Incidents 
 of Bible work — Murder of a German Protestant. 
 
 IN 1855 I felt the need of assistance, and I ven- 
 tured to write a letter to Rev. Dr. Kirk, of Bos- 
 ton, Mass., asking for a colporteur for tlie Mexican 
 frontier. The letter, quite unexpectedly to nie, was 
 published in the magazine of the American and For- 
 eign Christian Union for August, 1855. I will copy 
 the letter, and also the remarks of the editor. It 
 was headed — 
 
 "The following letter from Miss Rankin, one of 
 the worthy daughters of New England,- who, by 
 much sacrifice and indomitable perseverance, has 
 succeeded in establishing a seminary for Mexican 
 young ladies, in Brownsville, on the Texas side of 
 the Rio Grande, which separates the United otates 
 from Mexico, will be read with much interest. 
 
 " It was addressed to one of the Board of Direct- 
 ors (a personal friend) with the view to obtain a lay 
 missionary for that important, yet neglected field 
 
64 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 which she has so generously and praiseworthily 
 entered, and which, under the Divine blessing, she 
 is cultivating, with the prospect of the most encour- 
 aging results. It was not designed for publication. 
 We trust, however, that the writer will pardon us 
 for submitting it to our readers, whose sympathies 
 and prayers and charities we desire to elicit in be- 
 half of the people with whom she has chosen to 
 take her abode. 
 
 " It is proper to add that the Board are now en- 
 gaged in efforts to procure a suitable laborer to send 
 into that field. But one laborer there is not enough. 
 In that great valley and along the Mexican border 
 there should be many missionaries employed, and to 
 those to whom God has intrusted the means for their 
 support they must appeal for the funds necessary to 
 sustain them. We have done but little — alas! much 
 too little — for that interesting portion of our own 
 nation, and we hope that the facts contained in the 
 subjoined letter will lead to liberal contributions for 
 its benefit. But to the letter : 
 
 " Brownsville, April, 1855. 
 " Eev. Dr. Kirk : 
 
 " Dear Sir — Convinced that you have a sympathy 
 with whatever appertains to the interest of Christ's 
 kingdom, I 'take the liberty of calling your atten- 
 tion to this remote land, where, and on the border 
 of which, are thousands of immortal souls under the 
 influence of Popery, in its most enslaving and 
 debasing forms. You are fully acquainted with 
 Komanism, and, therefore, I need not describe to 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 65 
 f 
 
 you the character of this soiil-destroying agency of 
 the arch-enemy Satan. I presume also, that I need 
 not describe the painful emotions awakened in the 
 heart by daily witnessing the sad influence of that 
 system, so wisely calculated to lead immortal souls 
 to endless ruin. 
 
 " We have in Brownsville some three or four 
 thousand Mexicans, who have escaped the dreaded 
 influence of a corrupt priesthood of their own 
 country, in whose moral condition and wants my 
 sympathies are deeply enlisted, and in whose be- 
 half I now write. The enterprise in which I was 
 engaged when last in your city I have, with the 
 blessing of God, carried out successfully. A Pro- 
 testant seminary is reared in front of papal Mexico, 
 and within its walls are gathered Mexican girls, 
 whose improvement encourages me to hope that 
 their consciences may become enlightened, and that 
 they will embrace the Gospel, which can save their 
 souls. I trust it may ultimately be seen that this 
 institution is one of the instrumentalities by which 
 God intends to disenthrall benighted Mexico from 
 the dominion of popery. 
 
 "The object to which I wish more particularly 
 to draw your attention is the importance of having a 
 colporteur here to circulate Bibles and other relig- 
 ious publications among the Mexicans generally. 
 To convince you of the importance of this, I will 
 mention some facts in my own experience. Al- 
 though I felt my calling to be the instruction of 
 children and youth, yet in my efforts to benefit them 
 my spirit could have no rest without making an 
 attempt to do something to enlighten the adults. I 
 had but little faith in regard to my success, as the 
 Mexicans appeared so completely enveloped in the 
 darkness of superstition, and had six Jesuit priests 
 6 
 
66 TWENTY YEAHS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 to g-uard their ignorance. But I resolved upon 
 making the attempt ; and accordingly sent to the 
 American Bible and Tract Societies, and procured 
 books in the Spanish language, and commenced the 
 distribution in the face ot" tiie jn-iests, whom I met 
 at almost every corner. In almost every instance 
 the books were thankfully received, and in many 
 cnses I ascertained that they were faithfully read. 
 About two months ago I received another box of 
 Bibles and Tracts from New York. I called in a 
 Mexican man to open the box, and explained to 
 him the object of their being sent here, gave him a 
 Bible, and told him he might speak to his country- 
 men about them. He returned next day and said 
 a Mexican lady had been reading his Bible, that 
 she believed it to be the truth, and desired him to 
 procure one for her ; and also several others had 
 made the same request. 
 
 " Since that date there has been a constant call for 
 Bibles and Testaments. Scarcely a day has passed 
 in which there have not been Mexicans at my door 
 earnestly soliciting a copy of the Scriptures. Since 
 I have been writing this letter, I have put eight 
 CDpies into the hands of these benighted people. 
 May we not hope God's blessing will go along 
 with them, and that the enlighteniug influence of 
 the Divine Spirit will lead their deluded r.^aders to 
 embrace tiie salvation tiiey reveal? I can but 
 think that the S[)irit of God'is moving the hearts of 
 these people, and inducing them thus eagerly to 
 seek the truth which is able to save their souls. It 
 is a source of unspeakable satisfaction to me to wit- 
 ness this eagerness for the word of God. No one 
 can estimate the joyl'ul emotions that it occasions 
 but those who have felt similar jjainful solicitude 
 for immortal souls. While I hate Popery to detes- 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 67 
 
 tation, I love the souls it enslaves, and will endure 
 any sacrifice or [)rivation to rescue its wretched 
 subjects from its destructive power. In this work, 
 I believe the Bible to be the most efficient agent. 
 Romanism can not exist in the light of God's word, 
 and where it is disseminated, that terrible form of 
 evil mus't soon disappear. 
 
 " Excuse this digression from the main facts of 
 the object wliich I designed to present. Do you 
 not think, sir, that the case, as above stated, would 
 justify the sending of a colporteur here ? It appears 
 to me that this field presents as urgent motives as 
 any other in the world. I fully believe God will 
 not open the door of Mexico to Protestant laborers 
 until we do what we can for those within our present 
 sphere of influence. Even if no one shall come to 
 my assistance, I shall toil on in faith and hope, be- 
 lieving that though the 'kingdom of God,' in this 
 instance, is but as 'a grain of mustard seed,' yet it 
 may eventually ' grow to be a tree,' whose spreading 
 branches shall prove a blessing to this long-neglected 
 people. And in this belief, I humbly ask the in- 
 fluence and prayers of God's people." 
 
 As stated by the Secretary of the American and 
 Foreign Christian Union, an eflbrt was made to 
 procure a suitable man for the field ; but after some 
 time of seeking a right kind of a person, I was in- 
 formed that a Christian man, who understood the 
 Spanish, could not be found, and that they were un- 
 able to do any thing more. Rather than see such 
 an important work languish for the want of some 
 one to do it, I proposed' to the Board of the 
 American and Foreign Christian Union, that if 
 
68 TWENTY YBAE8 AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 they would furnish me the means for employing an 
 assistant teacher in my school, so I could be, in 
 part, relieved from school duties, I would become 
 their colporteur and Bible reader. The proposal 
 was accepted, and January of 1856 I came under 
 the auspices of that society. E,e- enforced by a com- 
 petent teacher, I was greatly strengthened, and the 
 school and Bible distribution received a new impulse. 
 I visited all the houses of the Mexicans in Browns- 
 ville and vicinity, and supplied every family of 
 which any member could read, with a Bible. Only 
 occasionally would I find one who rejected it. It 
 was said by my American friends : " The Mexicans 
 take your Bibles to turn over to the priests to be 
 burned." I would follow up my investigations 
 until I was satisfied that such was not true. Indeed, 
 I never ascertained that a single Bible was destroy- 
 ed. But / did ascertain that the Mexicans con- 
 cealed them in the most careful manner, taking 
 them out and reading them by night, as they said, 
 "when the priests were not about." I went one 
 day to the house where one of my pupils resided, 
 to inquire after her absence, and also to make in- 
 quiry after a Bible I had furnished her. A report 
 had crept into school that she had exchanged it with 
 the nuns for a " saint," and that they (the nuns) 
 had burned it. The mother of the girl met me at 
 the door, and with streaming eyes told me that her 
 daughter had died with yellow fever but a short 
 time before. I asked her, if she had her Bible ? 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 69 
 
 She replied, " No, I put her Bible in her coffin, as 
 she loved it so much, and it was buried with her." 
 I found another similar case, where a father had put 
 the Bible by the side of his son in his coffin.. Al- 
 though I could not fully coincide with this use of 
 God's Word, yet there was something pathetic and 
 suggestive in the act of these bereaved Mexican 
 parents. 
 
 Orders would be brought me from Monterey and 
 from places in the interior of Mexico, for dozens 
 of Bibles, with the money to pay for them. I feared 
 sometimes the priests were behind the scenes, but 
 upon inquiring, Why do you want the Bible ? the 
 answer uniformly was, " We have read the Bible, 
 and find it to be a good book, and we want to get 
 numbers to distribute among the people gratuit- 
 ously, to let them see that the priests have deceived 
 them, in telling them that the Bible is not a fit 
 book for them to read." Through a Protestant 
 German, also, great quantities of evangelical read- 
 ing were carried far into the interior. This man 
 was a traveling portrait painter, and the nature of 
 his business gave him access to Mexican families,, 
 who gladly received the word of God, and paid him 
 for it. As this was before the prohibition was re- 
 moved, he often encountered violent opposition ; 
 yet he felt so deeply the spiritual deprivations of 
 Mexico, that he was willing sometimes to run great 
 risks, not only of losing his personal effects, but 
 also his life. At one time, his hat was taken from 
 
70 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 him, and he was obliged to travel some ten miles 
 or more without any covering for his head; which, 
 under the scorching rays of a Mexican sun, was no 
 small deprivation. He finally lost his life in Mex- 
 ico ; whether he was killed on account of the dis- 
 semination of the Bible, or for purposes of robbery, 
 we never ascertained. It was known that he 
 stopped for the night at a town named Comer, half 
 way between Monterey and Matamoras, but nothing 
 more was ever heard of him by his friends. He 
 was eminently a man of God, and, we felt assured, 
 that like the martyr Stephen, he had " fallen asleep 
 in Jesus," although a violent death was permitted 
 to be his. 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 71 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Troubled waters — A storm of persecution — False impressions 
 made by enemies — School nearly broken up — Judgments of 
 God pronounced — Submitting the case to God, and wait- 
 ing for a manifestation — Sudden removal of the instigator 
 of the persecution — A great calm ensued — Work resumed 
 and school full again. 
 
 r)UT did I sail on smooth waters during these 
 -*-' years of labor among the Romanists of Browns- 
 ville? By no means. The spirit of popery was 
 fully alive, and in violent activity to counteract my 
 influence. The prosperity of my school was a sub- 
 ject of great annoyance. That Catliolics should 
 choose to send their children to a school which 
 they, the priests, had denounced from the pulpit as 
 "the by-way to hell," was not to be tolerated. 
 Tiie magazine, containing the letter in which I said, 
 "I hated Romanism," was procured and taken to 
 the convent to be read and discussed before the 
 pupils. All the matter contained in it against 
 popery, and, of course, it was not at all compli- 
 mentary, was rehearsed as mine; and the impression 
 was made that I was the author of the book, and 
 had gone north the year before to write it. Tiie 
 priests went to the parents of my pupils, and said 
 to them, " Miss Rankin says she hates Catholics, 
 why do you permit your children to be taught by 
 her ? " Some of the parents, I knew, replied, " We 
 
72 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 can not believe Miss Rankin hates our children ; 
 she treats them kindly, giving them clothing and 
 books, and comes to see them when they are sick." 
 Such a combined effort seemed to be made against 
 me, that I greatly feared my seminary building 
 might be destroyed, and several of my friends ex- 
 pressed similar anxiety. In one of my letters to 
 the secretary of the A. & F. C. U., I made allusion 
 to this fear, and he, very injudiciously published it, 
 under the heading, "An attempt made by the Ro- 
 manists to destroy the Protestant seminary building 
 at Brownsville." With this flaming embellishment 
 the most profound sensation was produced among 
 the priests, who were conversant with the magazine 
 containing the letter, and the statement was heralded 
 through town " that Miss Rankin had been guilty 
 of the grossest falsehoods." The whole place was 
 carried by the impulse. Even the Protestants who 
 had said to me, " we fear for your building," dare 
 not speak in my defense. The Brownsville paper, 
 whose editor, temporarily, was a Roman Catholic, 
 took up the matter, with all its power and influence. 
 The priests went from house to house, among my 
 patrons, and, under the influence of the wild excite- 
 ment, some of my best Mexican friends took their 
 children from my school. Indeed, I lost more than 
 half my pupils. The very atmosphere seemed filled 
 with curses and imprecations against me, yet I felt 
 shut up in "God's pavilion." It is the "fiery 
 furnace," and the "lion's den," that teach the chil- 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 73 
 
 dren of God where their protection and strength 
 lie. Although human nature may shrink from the 
 encounter of the " wrath of man," yet it is declared 
 that the "wrath of man" shall be overruled to the 
 glory of God. I cast myself upon the arm of 
 Omnipotence, and abode in peace under the shadow 
 of the Almighty. I heard, one day, that a Catholic 
 woman, an American, by the way, said with much 
 emphasis, " The judgment of God must come upon 
 Miss Rankin." I immediately replied, " I will 
 also submit the matter to the judgment of God. 
 If I am verily guilty of wrong, as you represent, 
 let divine judgment fall upon my head, but if your 
 party are guilty, let the deserved judgment be 
 passed upon it." I felt assured some manifest 
 token would be given, and waited on God in hum- 
 ble expectation ; although the manifestation might 
 be "by terrible things in righteousness." The 
 " Father Superior," who had been the leading spirit 
 in this persecution, was obliged to leave on business 
 connected with a church building they were erecting 
 in Brownsville. After getting every thing arranged 
 against me according to his wishes, he took passage 
 on the steamer Nautilus for New Orleans. The 
 Gulf of Mexico is subject to violent tornadoes. at 
 the season of the year in which he took passage, 
 and when the steamer arrived within fifty miles of 
 the South West Pass, a sudden gale struck her, and 
 she went down with all on board, excepting one 
 man, who saved himself on a door which floated off 
 7 
 
74 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 with him. In about ten days news came to Browns- 
 ville of the dreadful disaster, and great distress was 
 felt for the loss of many valuable lives. Among 
 the number was the Father Superior, and of course, 
 his sudden death was a severe blow to his friends. 
 The lady who had pronounced God's judgment upon 
 me was the first one, after the arrival of the news, 
 to catch her prayer book and go to the church to 
 pray for the father's soul. All the varieties of 
 " masses " were brought in requisition for the same 
 purpose, but whether they obtained peace for the 
 Father Superior's soul, I have never ascertained. 
 But peace for my soul was secured, not because a 
 fellow mortal had been suddenly called from time 
 into eternity in this fearful manner, but because the 
 attention of my enemies was diverted from me to 
 the solemn circumstances of the untimely death of 
 their adored father. The waves of persecution were 
 suddenly checked and a great calm ensued. I went 
 around among my Mexican friends, and was warmly 
 welcomed as their true friend. In less than two 
 months my school was full, and I never received 
 the like persecution again. 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 75 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 A revolution for religious freedom — The Priest Party and 
 Liberal Party — Immense revenues of the church party — 
 Juarez, an able leader of the liberal party — Tlie justice of - 
 the cause gives hope — Letters writted to the. A. & F. C. U. 
 at that time — The Scriptures going rapidly into Mexico — 
 Fifteen hundred copies of the Scriptures, and more than 
 two hundred thousand pages of tracts — Great joy in the 
 work — Severe affliction and sickness — Touching fidelity 
 ■of a Mexican woman — The bandit Cortinas — Brownsville 
 invaded — Four weeks absence in Matamoras — A school 
 with New Testaments — Two Mexican women wondering 
 why they had ever prayed to saints — Another burning her 
 images — They did not keep her son from death — If they 
 had known the Bible before they would have believed in 
 it — Final triumph of the Liberal party — A great demand 
 for Bibles and tracts for Mexico — The American Bible 
 and Tract Societies supplying. 
 
 IN 1857, a revolution was commenced for religious 
 freedom in Mexico. The parties engaged were 
 called "The Church Party" and "The Liberal 
 Party." The former, wielding the ecclesiastical, 
 political, civil, military, and monetary powers of 
 the whole country, possessed advantages which left 
 to the liberal party but little prospect of ultimate 
 success. The justice of the cause of the latter 
 seemed their only hope, and it was a subject of 
 earnest entreaty to the Author of the human con- 
 science, that divine power would interpose in behalf 
 
76 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 of this nation, so long under a government directly 
 opposed to the best interests of the people, either 
 temporal or spiritual. To human view, the hope 
 could scarcely be indulged. With Miraraon, one 
 of the most skillful generals of Mexico, at their 
 head, backed by the clergy, who were rich in re- 
 sources, the church party was not wanting in worldly 
 power. The priests were said to be the great bank- 
 ers of Mexico, having entire control of all the 
 church revenues, which were immense. Yet, as 
 " the race is not always to the swift, nor the battle 
 to the strong," we indulged the hope that, ulti- 
 mately, right would prevail in this eventful struggle. 
 There were men of decided ability in the liberal 
 party. Juarez, with his compatriots, seemed reso- 
 lute and determined to throw ofF the ecclesiastical 
 rule, which, like the pall of Egypt, had long over- 
 shadowed the land, and establish a government more 
 in harmony with the rights of man and the spirit 
 of modern civilization. Jaarez sought the govern- 
 ment of the people, by the people and for the peo- 
 ple, and endeavored to establish the principle of the 
 direct suffrage of all the citizens in the election of 
 the ofBcers of government. The constitution, em- 
 bracing the principles of freedom to the Mexican 
 people, was adopted February 8, 1857. AlthDugh 
 the clergy were beaten on the field of battle and 
 foiled in congress, they did not despair; but con- 
 tinued their resistance with determined zeal. Ju- 
 arez, with faith in the people, advanced under all 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 77 
 
 discouragements, for the accomplishment of the ob- 
 ject upon which the life of the nation depended. 
 The events transpiring in Mexico greatly encouraged 
 me in the belief that religious freedom would yet 
 prevail in that fair land, and that I could yet plant 
 my foot there with an open Bible in my hand. Can 
 it be possible, I often exclaimed to myself, that I 
 can ever be permitted to follow up those rills of 
 light which have been secretly flowing into that 
 dark land, and personally witness the glorious re- 
 sults? I believed, without a doubt, that there 
 were many hearts which had embraced the blessed 
 truths of the Gospel, as revealed in the Word of 
 God, and were silently praying for additional help 
 from the living teacher. My heart often bounded 
 in joyful anticipation, yet I must yet wait in faith 
 and prayer and work on. An extract of a letter 
 which I wrote to the A. & F. C. U. willgive some 
 idea of the progress of the work at this time. 
 
 I say, during three months past I have sold fifty 
 copies of the Scriptures, several D'Aubigne's His- 
 tory of the Reformation, also six thousand pages of 
 other evangelical reading in Mexico. I often feel 
 the truth of these words, " Behold, I have set be- 
 fore you an open door, and no man -can shut it; for 
 thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, 
 and hast not denied my name." We ought to be 
 encouraged while our opportunities of spreading the 
 truth in Mexico is becoming enlarged. So much 
 of the power of the papacy has been compelled to 
 
78 TWENTY YEAKS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 yield before the light of Divine truth, that we may 
 well thank God, and take courage. Every sopy of 
 the Holy Scriptures conveyed into Mexico is plead- 
 ing for religious liberty. Where God's Word be- 
 comes disseminated, the bolts and bars binding the 
 human intellect and conscience become dissevered. 
 In the desperate struggle, now being made in that 
 land, where popery has so long held the supreme 
 control, we see the intense desire manifested for the 
 inalienable rights which God has conferred upon 
 all his intelligent creatures. Whether God's time 
 has fully come for Mexico's redemption is not cer- 
 tain. One day we hear of the triumph of the Lib- 
 erals ; the next day, perhaps, the reverse. Although 
 victory may be delayed, yet justice and truth will 
 ultimately triumph in the utter overthrow of error 
 and priest-craft." 
 
 Notwithstanding my brilliant hopes abroad, a 
 deep shadow was hovering over my happy home 
 and work. In September, of 1858, my beloved 
 sister, who had been my associate teacher for nearly 
 three years, was suddenly stricken down by yellow 
 fever. My grief was most intense, yet not without 
 abundant hope for her, whose death was most tri- 
 umphant. Yet her loss to me, not only for her 
 companionship, but for the great assistance she ren- 
 dered me in my work, seemed almost irreparable. 
 But God's grace proved sufficient in those days of 
 severe affliction, and I was enabled to go on my 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 79 
 
 way, under the comforting assurance of my Divine 
 Friend, "Lo, Jam with you alway." 
 
 The year of 1859 was marked also by some try- 
 ing experience. In August of that year, I was 
 attacked by yellow fever, and for some time it ■ 
 seemed that I too might have to lay down my 
 armor; and I quietly resigned myself tQ pass away, 
 if such was the will of my heavenly Father ; but 
 the grief and anxiety manifested by my Mexican 
 friends aroused me to renew my grasp of life, and 
 to ask God to yet spare me for further service in 
 His cause. The kind solicitude of these people 
 made me willing to live longer, if only for their 
 sakes. One incident, I desire to state, showing a 
 phase of character of the Mexican women, which, 
 although not new to me, may serve to illustrate to 
 those less acquainted with them, that ''some good 
 may come out of Nazareth." Connected with my 
 school was a family of six children, which I had 
 sought out in my tours around among the Mexican 
 jackals soon after I went to Brownsville; they 
 were orphans, and were supported by their grand- 
 mother and two aunts. Being very poor, and 
 entirely dependent upon their daily labor for the 
 support of these children, I assisted in furnishing 
 them with clothing and books. Their improvement 
 and good conduct amply rewarded me for all I did 
 for them. The morning after my attack of fever, 
 three or four girls came to school, and being in- 
 formed that I was sick, they asked permission to 
 
80 TWENTY YEAKS AMONG THE MEXICANS, 
 
 come to my room. It was granted, and they came 
 and stood beside my bed, and seemed much dis- 
 tressed. They then went home, crying aloud, and 
 besought their grandmother (who was an experi- 
 enced nurse) " to go and take care of Miss Rankin, 
 and not let her die." The grandmother came im- 
 mediately to my house, related what the children 
 had said, and offered to stay and take care of me. 
 I very readily accepted her offer, as I had only two 
 young girls in my house, and sickness, at that time, 
 was prevailing so extensively in town, that no de- 
 pendence could be placed upon friends and neigh- 
 bors. This Mexican woman remained, and nursed 
 me as kindly as a mother could have done, follow- 
 ing with the utmost precision all the orders of my 
 physician, putting aside her roots and herbs, reme- 
 dies used by the Mexicans for similar cases. After 
 some days of unremitting care, she came to me one 
 morning, saying she had received a call to go and 
 nurse three strangers who had been stricken with 
 the prevailing fever, with the offer of fifteen dol- 
 lars a day, as the case was a most urgent one. 
 I said, you will go, will you not ? and urged her 
 to do so, as I knew their need of money. She 
 replied, most emphatically, " I shall not leave you 
 until I know you are past all danger, to go and 
 take care of others, although they will pay me so 
 much. But," added she, " I have too much grati- 
 tude in my heart for what you have done for me 
 and mine, to take any pay for what I have done 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMTONG THE MEXICANS. 81 
 
 for you; I shall not leave you ; " nor did she, un- 
 til she was perfectly satisfied that I needed her serv- 
 ices no longer. 
 
 My experience with the Mexicans has proved 
 that they are a kind people, if treated with kind- 
 ness. I can truly say I have never found firmer 
 and better friends among any nation of people than 
 I have among some of the Mexicans. Many, very 
 many_, I shall never cease to love and respect while 
 life remains. 
 
 Scarcely had the pestilence ceased its work of 
 devastation when new dangers threatened Browns- 
 ville. The notorious Cortinas commenced his 
 career of lawlessness in September of that year, 
 which he has continued upon that frontier, by 
 deeds of murder and robbery, with unremitting 
 energy, until the present time. Cortinas was 
 American born, and had been somewhat of an ex- 
 tensive land owner on the Texan side of the Rio 
 Grande. It has been said that he was a quiet and 
 inoffensive citizen, until he conceived the idea, 
 whether justly or not, that he had been wronged 
 by some of the Americans of Brownsville in re- 
 gard to his property. He resolved, it seems, to 
 take their lives, as he said " he could get redress in 
 no other way." The United States troops, by 
 order of General Twiggs, being withdrawn from 
 the frontier, the way was prepared for Cortinas to 
 carry into execution his murderous design. He 
 collected some sixty Mexicans, of like character 
 
82 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 with himself, and he with them, on the morning of 
 the 28th September, entered the town, and an- 
 nounced their arrival by the discharge of muskets, 
 and taking their position in the center of the town, 
 proclaimed " Death to the Americans." They 
 then proceeded to the work they had announced by 
 murdering several prominent citizens. Their vic- 
 tims were already selected, and they went to their 
 houses and called them out, and when they came, 
 which they would do, unsuspectingly, they were 
 killed in the presence of their families. 
 
 As soon as possible the citizens organized them- 
 selves into a body for defense ; but only about one 
 hundred and fifty men could be found who were 
 regarded as trustworthy. One of the merchants 
 happened to have a quantity of arms on hand, so 
 they were tolerably well equipped for defense. 
 Cortinas intrenched himself a short distance from 
 town, awaiting his opportunity of coming in and 
 completing his work of death. He was re-enforced 
 in a short time with additional recruits, so that his 
 numbers exceeded ours. It was only by the utmost 
 vigilance and intrepidity of the citizens that this 
 murderous band was repelled. By day and by 
 night our men were compelled to stand on constant 
 guard, until they became almost worn out. Cor- 
 tinas endeavored to cut off all communication, yet 
 with much difficulty a courier eluded his ambush, 
 and succeeded in getting to the capitol and inform- 
 ing the Governor of the State of our perilous con- 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 83 
 
 dition. Troops were immediately sent to our re- 
 lief, and Cortinas was compelled to withdraw his 
 band of desperadoes. 
 
 For two weeks after the assault of Cortinas I re- 
 mained in my house and continued my school, as 
 I knew his murderous designs were only against 
 his enemies. As long as he had his own band of 
 men, who were fully instructed upon whom to 
 commit violence, I felt no apprehensions that any 
 harm would befall me. But when he was re-en- 
 forced by desperadoes from all parts, I became con- 
 vinced that I should be in danger in case they suc- 
 ceeded in getting into the town. I went to Mata- 
 moras, and remained three or four weeks. Al- 
 though invited to stay with an American family, I 
 preferred taking up my abode with a Mexican 
 woman, whom I had known considerably by hav- 
 ing supplied her with Bibles, from time to time, 
 for distribution in Matamoras. This woman had 
 come to me upon the first attack of Cortinas, and 
 invited me to come to her house, so when I felt 
 there was real danger, I gladly accepted her 
 proifered hospitality. She had supplied many of 
 her friends with books, and my stay with her gave 
 me an opportunity of ascertaining their influence. 
 I was much gratified by finding among them an 
 evident appreciation of the word of God. Many 
 said, " If we had known the Bible before, we 
 would have believed it." 
 
 I found also a whole school, of some thirty boys, 
 
84 i?Wenty years among the Mexicans. 
 
 supplied with the New Testament, which they 
 daily read. The teacher, who was an elderly 
 Mexican man, had a Bible, which he had procured 
 many years before from a British vessel lying in a 
 Mexican port. I visited his school, and he ex- 
 pressed great gratitude to me for furnishing him, 
 so as to enable him to put a copy of the tlessed 
 book into the hands of all his pupils. He told me 
 he had learned from the Bible to cast away his 
 idols and to trust in Christ for salvation. The 
 Mexican woman told me that this man, in speak- 
 ing of me, was accustomed to call me " sister," and 
 I was pleased to reciprocate the appellation by 
 recognizing in him a brother in Christ. 
 
 Image worship, I found, was decreasing under 
 the light of Divine Truth. I heard two Mexican 
 women conversing one day in a manner which in- 
 dicated that their faith was somewhat shaken in 
 the " saints," whose pictures hung upon the walls 
 of the room. One of the women said to the other, 
 " How foolish it is for us to pray to such things," 
 pointing to the images, and added, in the most em- 
 phatic manner, "Why do we do so?" The other 
 woman replied in the same manner, " Why do 
 we?" One woman, with whom I became ac- 
 quainted, told me she had burned all her images, as 
 they failed to render her any help in times of 
 trouble. She had lost her husband by death, and 
 soon after her only son, a man grown, lay at the 
 point of death with the fever. She said she had 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 85 
 
 several important saints to which she had been ac- 
 customed to pay her daily devotions, and of course 
 the appealed to them for help in this hour of 
 anguish. She offered them all her property, which 
 was considerable, for tlie Church, if they would 
 interpose and save her beloved son from deatli. 
 But, as she said, " They paid no heed to my dis- 
 tresses, and let my son die." In perfect contempt 
 and indignation she broke them to pieces and threw 
 them into the fire, except one, which she kept as a 
 memorial, being a bridal gift of her late husband. 
 
 Many hearts in Mexico, I felt assured, yearned 
 for a religion which should meet the wants of their 
 souls. How often, during those years in which I 
 witnessed those aspirations for a more exalted 
 source of consolation, did I cry out in agony of 
 soul, " How long, O Lord, how long, ere thou wilt 
 arise and avenge the blood of thy servants which 
 is shed?" How long shall human laws shut out 
 the true light, which is intended to enlighten 
 every soul of our fallen race, even that of the poor 
 despised Mexican ! " Shall not the prey be taken 
 from the mighty, and the suffering captive be de- 
 livered ? " 
 
 Thus saith the Lord, " Even tlie captives of the 
 mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the 
 terrible shall be delivered ; for I will contend with 
 him^that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy 
 children." 
 
 Near the close of 1859, a light finally dawned 
 
86 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 upon the long night of darkness in Mexico. On 
 the 25th December, Juarez and the Liberal Party 
 entered the Capital. The night before it had been 
 abandoned by Miramon and the remnant of his 
 completely demoralized and conquered army. 
 
 Was not this a bright era in Mexican history ? 
 " The gates of brass " were broken in pieces, " the 
 bars of iron were cut in sunder," and eight millions 
 of souls threw off the shackels of popery and emerged 
 into the liberty wherewith God makes his people 
 free. The popular demonstrations — the ringing of 
 bells and firing of cannon by the people generally 
 evinced their great joy for the precious boon of reli- 
 gious liberty. As the noise from Matamoras broke 
 upon my ear, I thought I never heard more delight- 
 ful sounds, and my heart bounded in joyful antici- 
 pation that God's Word could now have free course, 
 run, and be glorified. 
 
 Men came over immediately from Matamoras for 
 Bibles and Tracts, saying, " We can now distribute 
 Protestant books without any hinderance, and we 
 will pay you for all you can let us have." I sup- 
 plied them to the extent of my ability, and wrote 
 on to the Bible and Tract Societies for a greater 
 supply. 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 87 
 
 CHAPTEE XII. 
 
 Wrote to the Bible Society for an Agent — Kev. Mr. Thompson 
 receives an appointment — Goes into Mexico — Brings two 
 Mexicans to Brownsville, who unite with the Protestant 
 Church — First fruits — Work interrupted by civil war in 
 the United States— Desirous of going to Monterey — French 
 intervention and civil war prevented — Eev. Mr. Hickey 
 appointed agent for the Bible Society — Scatters Bibles over 
 the country — The French intervention threatens Protest- 
 antism — Maximilian and Carlotta — Maximilian's fluctua- 
 tions — Carlotta's insanity — The Pope refuses assistance to 
 Maximilian — French troops withdrawn — Maximilian 
 finally executed — Eeligious freedom nobly outrides the 
 storm. 
 
 AFTER a few months of constant demands for 
 Bibles and other evangelical books, I came to 
 the conclusion that a special agent was required, 
 and that the American Bible Society would be 
 justified in putting one into this waiting and needy 
 field. Although I felt it to be almost a personal 
 favor, I resolved to make the request ; and to make 
 it sure as possible I secured the man, whom I 
 thought would serve acceptably, as already possess- 
 ing some acquaintance with the Mexicans and their 
 language. Rev. Mr. Thompson, who had been sent 
 by the Methodist Episcopal Church South, to labor 
 on the Rio Grande, assented to my proposition, and 
 I wrote to the secretary for an appointment for him 
 
88 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 to labor in Mexico. After some little delay to 
 make the necessary inquiries of the conference 
 which sent Mr. T. of his character and fitness, he 
 received an appointment and commenced his duties 
 in October, 1860. He went into Mexico, and, as I 
 expected, was received with favor. He was told by 
 the authorities that he might preach, plant schools, 
 build churches, disseminate the Bible, and do any 
 thing that would benefit the people. 
 
 He went as far as Monterey, and found the Bible 
 had preceded him, and had been read by many to 
 advantage. At Cadereyta, a place thirty miles from 
 Monterey, he met a man, who, as soon as he saw 
 him, inquired, "Are you not a teacher of the Bible." 
 " I have dreamed of just such a looking man as 
 you ; I knew there must be somewhere the living 
 teacher of that book." Mr. Thompson found this 
 man well acquainted with the Scriptures. He wrote 
 me, he rarely found a man in a Protestant com- 
 munity who was more familiar with the Word of 
 God than this Mexican. He comprehended those 
 passages which we believe to apply to the Church 
 of Kome j had discarded the whole system of 
 popery ; and embraced the religion of the Bible, 
 and gave evidence of being truly " born again." 
 When Mr. Thompson returned to Brownsville in 
 March, 1861, this man and his eldest son came 
 with him, and, after due examination, were received 
 into a Protestant Church. These were the first 
 Mexicans who durst come out and publicly profess 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMOMQ THE MEXICANS. 89 
 
 the Protestant faith. The fact being proven that 
 a Mexican could be otherwise than a Catholic ; 
 others followed ; and it was an unspeakable satis- 
 faction to give the right hand of Christian fellow- 
 ship to people from a nation which had been regard- 
 ed as beyond the reach of a pure Christianity. 
 Indeed, I rejoiced, believing these first fruits were 
 an earnest of the harvest which faith had bid me 
 expect, and I doubted not that many more precious 
 souls would be gathered from those dark dominions 
 of error and superstition into the true fold of Christ. 
 
 Mr. Thompson continued his labors with hopeful 
 success until the civil war in the United States 
 prevented our having communication with the 
 North. The Southern ports were all blockaded, 
 and among them the port of Brazos, and we could 
 obtain no more Bibles from New York. Mr, 
 Thompson came to Brownsville, and after waiting 
 some time for a change of affairs, finally concluded 
 to leave the wOrk and return to Texas. 
 
 It seemed Bible work in Mexico had received a 
 sudden check ; yet I still trusted in the same Right 
 Arm, which had hitherto often interposed in behalf 
 of the perishing millions of that unfortunate country. 
 I did not trust in vain, for a few months later a 
 port was opened on the Mexican side of the Rio 
 Grande, and we were again in communication with 
 the Bible Society of New York. About the same 
 time, Rev. James Hickey, colporteur of the Ameri- 
 can Tract Society for Texas, on account of being a 
 
90 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 " Union man," was obliged to flee to Mexico to 
 preserve his life, as all persons in the South had to 
 do at that tinae, who were loyal to the Government 
 of the tJnited States. Mr. Hickey came to Mata- 
 moras, and seeing the good work already in progress 
 . there, entered into it most heartily. He came over 
 to Brownsville and I supplied him with Bibles, and 
 he not only circulated the Word, but preached it, 
 in all its saving power. Having acquired some 
 knowledge of the Spanish language in Western 
 Texas, he was able to preach to the people under- 
 standingly. Seeing his zeal and adaptation to the 
 work, with his consent I wrote on to the Bible 
 Society for his appointment as Agent for Mexico. 
 In consequence of the irregularity of the mails, Mr. 
 H. did not receive an appointment untjl the sum- 
 mer of 1863. He had, however, gone to Monterey 
 in anticipation of his acceptance by the Bible 
 Society, and found a promising field of labor. He 
 collected a congregation of Mexicans, and soon 
 baptized several, who gave evidence of conversion. 
 At Cadareyta also he found some who had evidently 
 embraced the truth in the love of it, by reading the 
 Bible alone. A Mexican woman said, she had been 
 seeking, by the strictest observance of all the require- 
 ments of the Catholic Church, comfort to her soul ; 
 but never found it, until she read, in the New 
 Testament, of Christ and his salvation ; and this 
 was previous to any Protestant teacher going 
 there. 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 91 
 
 As Mr. Hickey's legitimate duties were, accord- 
 ing to the rules of the Bible Society, the distribution 
 and sale of the scriptures, he did not remain long in 
 Monterey, but put the work there into the hands 
 of one of the converts,* and went out scattering the 
 Word of Life broadcast over the surrounding coun- 
 try. The eagerness with which many received the 
 Bible from him was truly encouraging. 
 
 I should have gone to Monterey immediately 
 after religious liberty was proclaimed, but various 
 things hindered me. I could procure no suitable 
 person to whom I could commit the seminary at 
 Brownsville, and I hesitated to leave until I could. 
 The difSciilties arising from the French intervention 
 in Mexico, also rendered it quite impracticable for me 
 to go; aaat one time Protestantism seemed to be 
 dangerously threatened. After the occupation of 
 Mexico by the Liberals, Miramon and the other 
 leaders of the church party, went to France and 
 represented the country as having thrown off all re- 
 straint, and being in a state of absolute anarchy, 
 and that, unless some power intervened, it would go 
 to utter ruin. Napoleon III. conceived that this 
 representation might serve as a pretext for getting 
 possession of Mexico ; and, as a civil war was pre- 
 vailing in the United States, he very reasonably 
 supposed he should receive no hinderance from the 
 American government. 
 
 * Thomas Westrup, a young Englishman, who had been con- 
 verted through Mr. H.'s instrumentality. 
 
92 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 He decided to improve the opportunity presented 
 by establishing an empire in Mexico, and proposed 
 to Maximilian to go and take the imperial throne. 
 At first Maximilian objected, his refusal being 
 founded upon reasons very satisfactory to himself. 
 But Carlotta, being a staunch Catholic, conceived 
 that the proposal for her husband to go to Mexico 
 " was a call from heaven to go and restore the fallen 
 church." Maximilian was finally prevailed upon 
 to come to Mexico, and, it is fully believed, with 
 the purpose and hope of benefiting the country and 
 people. He was, evidently, greatly deceived, both 
 by Napoleon and the Mexican representatives. The 
 true facts of the case can not better be presented 
 than by using the precise words of the Abbe Do- 
 menech, French chaplain, who came to Mexico with 
 Maximilian. He says: 
 
 " Every thing was a delusion. Unhappily, there 
 were a great many interested parties. However, 
 be that as it may, we were deceived on every side, 
 and urged on, if not by a chivalric sentiment like 
 that which led us to take up arms for the Christians 
 in Syria and for the independence of the Italians, 
 at least by a sentiment of high policy France entered 
 upon Mexico, and substituted in favor of the Arch- 
 duke Maximilian, a monarchy for a republican re- 
 gime." But it proved a failure. . 
 
 The falsity of Miramon's representations and the 
 absurdity of Carlotta's conceptions were fully proved 
 ■when Maximilian, upon his arrival, found the great 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 93 
 
 majority of the Mexican people opposed to a foreign 
 intervention, and also to the re-establishment of the 
 church party. Although there still existed remnants 
 of such a party in Mexico, yet it was much in the 
 minority. And when Maximilian, instigated by 
 the pope, demanded that the immense revenues 
 which formerly belonged to the church should be 
 restored, it was found that the Liberals had such 
 absolute possession as precluded all hope of ever 
 obtaining them. A complication of difficulties be- 
 set Maximilian, yet he persevered under them all. 
 He prohibited the Protestant religion, "and for a 
 time Mr. Hickey durst not go out upon his work. 
 But the people were determined to resist the reign- 
 ing power, and the emperor,- finding that the great 
 mgjority of the people were in favor of a religious 
 freedom, decided to turn over to that side, hoping 
 probably, by so doing, to win them into favor with 
 the empire which he vainly was trying to establish. 
 But he found they were no more willing to become 
 subjects of his imperial reign than they were to 
 submit to religious despotism. Miramon, and 
 others who had been his friends, deserted him and 
 left the country. 
 
 The pope issued all the denunciations against him 
 of which his infallible personage was capable, but 
 Maximilian stood firm, daring to reply to him that 
 he "believed toleration to all religions, which were 
 not against morality and civilization, were essential 
 to the prosperity of any country." This was a 
 
94 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 bright spot in Maximilian's career in Mexico, and I 
 shall always remember him with grateful apprecia- 
 tion for the firm defense of those principles upon 
 which the welfare of Mexico depended. 
 
 But the situation of the Emperor Maximilian was 
 far from being pleasant. With enemies within and 
 foes without, he sailed on a sea of troubles. Na- 
 poleon, who had been the instrumentality of placing 
 him in this situation, suddenly announced his inten- 
 tion of withdrawing the French troops from Mexi- 
 co, alleging that the empire was so well established 
 that foreign assistance was no longer necessary.' 
 Whether he really indulged this absurd belief is 
 extremely doubtful, as the real facts entirely dis- 
 proved the supposition; It is more probable that 
 the fear of the United States moved him to recall 
 his troops, as our government had so far overcome 
 its own difficulties as to be able to look after those 
 of its neighbors. Demonstrations were clearly 
 manifested that the United States would not permit 
 the permanent lodgment of a monarchial govern- 
 ment upon this continent, and Napoleon did not 
 feel quite willing to fall into its power, already dis- 
 tinguished for victorious combat with powerful 
 enemies. 
 
 Carlotta, with woman's instinct, seeing the fatal 
 sonsequences to the interests of the empire, should 
 it cease to be sustained by foreign bayonets, flew to 
 France, and entreated Napoleon to forbear his 
 threatened purpose. Not prevailing with him, she 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 95 
 
 went to the Vatican, and besought the holy father 
 to exercise his power in behalf of the falling em- 
 pire. The pope, still sore, no doubtj from Maxi- 
 milian's arrogance in opposing his pontifical orders 
 in relation to matters with regard to which Mexico 
 was of importance to him, turned a deaf ear to her 
 appeals. 
 
 This denial actually wrought the destruction of 
 the lovely Carlotta's reason. Her brain received a 
 fatal shock, and she was carried from the Vatican 
 a hopeless maniac. As might be expected, when the 
 French troops left Mexico, Maximilian was entirely 
 without support. And why did he not leave with the 
 retiring army ? It will always be a matter of deep 
 regret that he did not leave Mexico at that time; for 
 although his fair fame might have been somewhat 
 tarnished by his unsuccessful attempt to establish 
 an imperial throne, yet, by so doing, he would have 
 been spared to his friends and to his country yet 
 longer. 
 
 He remained, however, and suffered himself to 
 become again the dupe of Miramon and others, who, 
 at this juncture, turned up again in Mexico. They 
 represented that immense wealth was yet in pos- 
 session of the church party, and Maximilian was 
 led to believe that there was sufficient power for 
 sustaining him at the head of the Empire. In ac- 
 cepting the support of the church party, he abjured 
 the principles which he had so boldly declared in 
 favor of religious freedom. This was a dark blot 
 
96 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 upon his integrity and honor. Probably his ex- 
 tremity forced him to fall into the plan. In his 
 first attempt for carrying it into execution, he fell 
 into a fatal trap, and, with Miramon and Mejia, ex- 
 piated, by an ignominious death, the wicked design 
 of again enslaving the millions of Mexico under 
 papal dominion. 
 
 No one can fail to lament the sacrifice of the life 
 of this good-hearted, yet evidently weak-headed, 
 man, nor deplore the mental ruin of " poor Car- 
 lotta," who still lives — a monument of disappointed 
 ambition. 
 
 This great sacrifice can be clearly traced to the 
 unwise design of Napoleon, who laid the treacher- 
 ous snare which lured two innocent victims on to 
 ruin. But as he has passed to a higher tribunal, 
 human judgment should leave him there.- Relig- 
 ious freedom, however, nobly outrode the storm, 
 overcoming the plots and counterplots of the most 
 potent Enemies, and Mexico presented the same 
 hopeful aspect for missionary work as before. 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 97 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Compelled to leave my seminary — A Presbyterian minister 
 demands the keys^ — Reasons given — Not in sympathy 
 with the Southern Confederacy — Went to Matamoras — 
 Happy in being on Mexican soil — Within six months 
 had to give up my house — Obliged to leave — Eesolved 
 to go to the United States — Delayed at Bagdad — No 
 room at the _hotel — Quartered on a schooner — One of 
 our company murdered by the rebels — Leaving Bagdad 
 — Under the Stars and Stripes — Entreated to remain in 
 New Orleans. 
 
 WHILE these events were taking place in Mex- 
 ico I was having some varied, yet rich expe- 
 rience on the frontier. In September of 1862 I 
 was obliged to leave my seminary and work in 
 Brownsville, by the most peremptory orders. The 
 orders were sent me in writing by a Presbyterian 
 minister, who stated that he was authorized to com- 
 mand me to vacate the building, and deliver up 
 the keys of the same to him. 
 
 T rejjlied that I wished to retain the seminary for 
 the purposes for which I founded it — namely, the 
 education of Mexican children — and put the ques- 
 tion, "Why do you require me to give it up?" 
 He replied, in a written statement, "You are not 
 in sympathy with the Southern Confederacy, and 
 no teachers but such as are can be permitted to oc- 
 cupy that institution ;" also, "You are in commu- 
 9 
 
98 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 nication with a country called the United States." 
 I again remonstrated, and continued to occupy the 
 building which I had procured at such an immense 
 amount of labor and sacrifice until another written 
 order* came, announcing it to be the "third and 
 last" — evidently meaning that violence would have 
 to be used if I did not voluntarily vacate the prem- 
 ises. 
 
 Rather than be put out by military force, which 
 I fully believed this man would call into requisi- 
 tion, I wrote a reply that, in obedience to his com- 
 mand, I would commit the building and all its re- 
 sponsibilities into his hands, and that I would leave 
 him in the hands of Him who has said, "Judgment 
 and justice are the habitation of my throne." 
 
 Through the aid of friends I succeeded in getting 
 over to Matamoras, with my books, furniture, etc., 
 although the rebel minister went to the Confederate 
 receiver and urged him to confiscate all my mova- 
 ble possessions. The receiver reported this fact to 
 me himself; and although a Roman Catholic, he 
 said he told my Protestant friend it was bad enough 
 for man to be afflicted with the horrors of war, and- 
 that he could not have the heart to extort from a 
 woman her necessary articles of furniture. 
 
 1 succeeded in procuring a house, and opened a 
 school in Matamoras, and was supremely happy in 
 engaging in actual labor for Mexicans upon Mexi- 
 
 ' The documents are still preserved. 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXLCANS. 99 
 
 can soil. This was the time of the difficulties pre- 
 vailing in Mexico, and I could not feel it prudent 
 to go farther into the country. I remained in Mat- 
 amoras until March of 1863, when I could not pro- 
 cure a house on any terms. The great quantities 
 of goods which passed through Bagdad', the new 
 port that was opened for the benefit of the Southern 
 Confederacy, were stored in Matamoras, and every 
 available building was required for that purpose. 
 It was not unfrequently the case that a hundred 
 vessels were lying off the bar ; not only were they 
 discharging goods, but were receiving large quan- 
 tities of cotton for foreign ports. On account of 
 the prevailing troubles of both countries, I felt it 
 best to discontinue any further work for Mexico 
 until matters became more settled. I concluded to 
 go to New Orleans, which was then occupied by 
 the Federals, and proceed to the North. A United 
 States transport was sent from New Orleans to con- 
 vey refugees, who had fled from the South at the 
 peril of their lives, and were waiting in Matamoras 
 for an opportunity to get to the United States. I 
 took passage, and, with my two nieces, and two 
 other families in company, went to Bagdad, where 
 the vessel was lying. A very difficult bar ob- 
 structed the entrance ; and just before we arrived 
 a " norther " sprang up, which rendered the bar so 
 rough that it was utterly impossible for us to cross ; 
 consequently we were compelled to seek for quar- 
 ters in Bagdad until the gale ceased. 
 
100 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 It was night when we arrived, and we went im- 
 mediately to the place called a hotel. We were in- 
 formed by the proprietors that no accommodations 
 could be afforded us, and we walked out and stood 
 outside, utterly at a loss what to do. We under- 
 stood the reason why we were not permitted to re- 
 main in the hotel, as it was well known that Bag- 
 dad had been reared especially for the rebels, and 
 was noted for its deep-seated hatred of " Yankees," 
 as all Union people were called in those days. 
 
 While we were standing outside, exposed to the 
 bleak winds of a Mexican "norther," a young man 
 came along, and kindly invited us to go on board a 
 small schooner which was lying inside of the bar. 
 The young man, who was a Nova Scotian, said 
 he heard the refusal of the hotel-keepers, and he 
 thought, "What if my mother and sisters- were in 
 the like situation!" and the thought impelled him 
 to offer us such accommodations as he was able. 
 
 We very thankfully accepted his invitation, and 
 accompanied him to the schooner ; yet ^ye found 
 very limited accommodations for our party, which 
 consisted of eight persons. We could scarcely 
 stand upright, and as for our lodgings, barrels, 
 boxes, and the like, constituted our beds. We 
 passed the night with considerable amusement, in 
 our crude attempts to obtain rest. The morning 
 came, and in our attempts to obtain breakfast we 
 found the rebels determined not to let the 
 "Yankees" have any thing to eat. .By strategy, 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMOKG THE MEXICANS. 101 
 
 however, our kind friends of the schooner suc- 
 ceeded in obtaining something which answered for 
 a breakfast. 
 
 The bar continued rough, and we were com- 
 pelled to remain, and we made several futile 
 attempts during the day to secure more commo- 
 dious quarters ; but were finally compelled to re- 
 main on the little schooner another night. The 
 day following, the owner of a larger schooner hear- 
 ing of our situation, offered to let us come on 
 board his vessel provided we would occupy the 
 hold. He was a Northern man, but was making 
 money off the Confederates, and. he did not like to 
 jeopardize his lucrative business by having it 
 known that he was manifesting any favor to Union 
 people. We accepted his invitation, and took up 
 our quarters in our novel apartment, which the 
 owner had somewhat prepared, by having it swept 
 but not " garnished." 
 
 Our furniture consisted of a small wood-pile, a 
 bale of cotton, and some ropes and sails. The 
 latter served for our lodgings, which proved to be 
 not the most downy beds that ever were; yet we 
 felt thankful for even these accommodations. We 
 remained nine days in this condition; the owner 
 of the vessel furnishing us with food, and treating 
 us as well as circumstances would permit. In- 
 deed, I shall always retain a grateful remembrance 
 of this man's kindness and hospitality to us. 
 
 Our stay was prolonged by a highly outrageous 
 
102 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 act of the rebels upon some of our party who were 
 waiting to cross over to the transport. A band 
 of rebels, led by a prominent confederate officer, 
 came over upon the Mexican side of Rio Grande 
 during the night, and took two prominent Union 
 men, bound them, and carried them across the 
 river into the camp of the rebels. These two men 
 were refugees from Texas — one was Judge Davis, 
 late Governor of Texas, and the other, Captain 
 Montgomery, who had been obliged to flee, leaving 
 a wife and several children behind in Texas. 
 These men were immediately started for Browns- 
 ville, and when about half way Captain Mont- 
 gomery was hung, and his head cut off and carried 
 to Brownsville as a trophy. Judge Davis was 
 left at a camp, near town, probably for further sac- 
 rifice. In the meantime, intelligence was conveyed 
 to Matamoras of the outrage committed upon Mex- 
 ican soil, and the outrage was of a more aggra- 
 vating character from the fact that Judge Davis 
 had been taken from the house of the chief officer 
 of the Mexican government where he had put him- 
 self for protection. The Governor, exceedingly in- 
 censed, demanded the restoration of the men, or 
 he would immediately stop all transportation of 
 goods across the Rio Grande. This threat was 
 heeded, and Judge Davis was restored, but Captain 
 Montgomery had already fallen a victim to Confed- 
 erate cruelty, and his family was left in desolation 
 and sorrow. Oh ! those were bloody times in 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 103 
 
 Texas, and can the ^stains of those tragic scenes 
 ever be effaced? Even though the lapse of years 
 may throw them far in the distance, yet the deeds 
 which were committed during that awful reign of 
 terror, memory can never cease to recall, however 
 painful it may be. 
 
 But, I will return to our transport waiting out- 
 side the bar. When this daring outrage was com- 
 mitted, an officer who was at Bagdad, ventured, at 
 the risk of his life, to cross over to the vessel, and 
 give information to the captain, who put out im- 
 mediately for Galveston to procure a gunboat, for 
 resisting any further assault which might be made 
 by the rebels. 
 
 In four days after, the vessel returned, and the 
 bar became sufficiently smooth for crossing, so we 
 passed out of our dismal quarters, and went on to 
 the Transport, truly .happy to find ourselves again 
 under the dear old " Stars and Stripes " of our own 
 beloved country. Our vessel, originally used for 
 the transportation of cattle, did not prove to be 
 very comfortable. Our party, consisting of about 
 one hundred refugees, found accommodations to be 
 somewhat limited. But, during those days of 
 national peril, all who truly loved our country, and 
 sympathized in its dangers, were as one family — 
 our interests so blending that each one felt like 
 helping and comforting the other. 
 
 We arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi the 
 evening of the fifth day, and from one of the gun- 
 
104 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 boats lying there came a gentleman on to our ves- 
 sel, who occupied an important position in the 
 army, and who urged me to stop in New Orleans, 
 saying that Union ladies were greatly needed there 
 at that time. 
 
TWENTY YEAH8 AMOMG THE MEXICANS. 105 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 New work presented — ^Visiting the hospitah — Delicacies solic- 
 ited in New Orleans — Personal distribution of them — 
 Scenes of suffering — Principal of school for Freedmen — 
 An old preacher learning the alphabet — Manifestations of 
 Divine grace — Desirous of returning to my Mexican work. 
 
 I HAD fully intended going to the North, and 
 getting away from anxious care for a "season, 
 but upon further consideration I decided to remain 
 in New Orleans. A residence was immediately 
 furnished nie, and I soon became very comfortably 
 domiciled in the Crescent City. Various ways of 
 usefulness opened before me, but I felt the most 
 important work to be, if possible, to aid our coun- 
 try's cause. Indeed, it seemed to be the work at 
 that time, and I felt that every other consideration 
 should be subordinate. 
 
 The siege of Port Hudson was soon in progress, 
 and hundreds of our brave men were brought to 
 New Orleans wounded in the most shocking man- 
 ner. The 27th May, 1863, was marked by one of 
 those futile attempts to take the fort — the only re- 
 sult of which was the massacre of great numbers 
 of soldiers. Some three hundred of those who 
 could be moved were brought down on a steamer 
 the daj'^ after the battle. The scene of their re- 
 moval from the boat to the St. James Hospital was 
 
106 TWENTY YEAE8 AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 related to me by an eye-witness. I was moved at 
 the recital, and immediately resolved that I would 
 do something for the comfort of these mutilated 
 men. I did not know as I should be permitted to 
 visit the hospital, as no ladies could obtain passes 
 on account; of the insolence of rebel ladies, who 
 had, some time previous, been visitors of the Con- 
 federate sick who were prisoners in the hospital. I 
 was aware of this fact, yet I thought I would 
 make the effort, for the sake of those suffering sol- 
 diers. ' As belonging to " Banks' Expedition " I 
 knew they had left their IfTew England homes only 
 the autumn before, and I thought of those left be- 
 hind — wives, mothers, and sisters — of the intense 
 suffering and anxiety which would be theirs did 
 they but know of the dreadful condition of their 
 loved ones. I resolved to try and get access, and 
 as soon as the proper time arrived, I hastened to 
 the hospital and inquired of the sentinel at the 
 door if I could see the surgeon in charge. He re- 
 plied he had been very busy, all the afternoon, 
 dressing wounds, but he would send and ascertain. 
 A messenger was dispatched, and very soon the 
 surgeon made his appearance. 
 
 I very piroraptly explained the object of my visit, 
 and, looking at me very sharply, he asked me, "Are 
 you not a northern lady." I replied, " I am." 
 Then he put the question, very emphatically, "Are 
 you for the Union ? " I told him, I believed I 
 was, and that the rebels thought so too, as I had 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 107 
 
 but recently been expelled from their dominions. 
 After my nationality and politics were settled, which, 
 at that time, were of the utmost importance, the 
 surgeon asked me, "In what way would you pro- 
 pose relief for our wounded and sick soldiers?" I 
 gave him one evidence of my " Yankee " character 
 in answering his question by asking another. I 
 inquired, "Are the delicacies provided necessary for 
 the comfort of the men?" (This was before the 
 ample provision was made by the Christian Com- 
 mission.) He replied, " No, but what can you do 
 in this way ? " I said, " I will go out and solicit 
 donations for that purpose from the citizens of New 
 Orleans." The surgeon said, "It might be a good 
 way of testing the loyalty of the present residents, 
 as, but a short time previous, all who would not 
 take the oath of allegiance to the United States 
 government had been requested to leave the city — 
 those remaining were professedly Union people." 
 
 The plan was decided upon, and the surgeon re- 
 quested me to come to the hospital the next morn- 
 ing, and we would devise the proper method of car- 
 rying it into execution. Accordingly, at 10 o'clock 
 next day, I and my two nieces were at the hospital 
 to receive instructions and proper authority for 
 making our Union friends of New Orleans a call. 
 All necessary arrangements being made, we started 
 out upon our work of mercy, and found many who 
 very readily contributed money, or other things 
 equally valuable. As I expected, some would have 
 
108 TWENTY YBAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 gladly been excused from giving any thing to 
 "Yankee soldiers," but as their refusal might tes- 
 tify that their professed allegiance to the Union 
 government was not so much for the love they had 
 for it, as for the preservation of their own private 
 interests, they gave something from policy, probably. 
 
 At 4 o'clock in the afternoon we returned to the 
 hospital with our supplies. The steward very 
 kindly proposed to relieve us from the labor of 
 their distribution, as he and the nurses could ad- 
 minister them. This offer did not strike me favor- 
 ably. As several persons had suggested that pos- 
 sibly the needy men might not receive the gifts, I 
 had pledged my word that I would see that every 
 thing given should find its desired end. I remon- 
 strated against the proposal of the steward ; but he 
 seemed to think he had some authority in the mat- 
 ter, and to test it, I sent for the surgeon in charge. 
 He came and said, " By all means, ladies, go through 
 the wards and distribute the things yourselves. 
 Those suffering men will be cheered by seeing ladies 
 who feel so much interest in their welfare — your 
 personal visit will be as welcome as your gifts." 
 
 With the surgeon in company we started upon 
 our rounds ; but oh ! how shall I describe the pain- 
 ful scenes, which, after the lapse of years, are still 
 vivid ! Some we found beyond the hope of re- 
 covery — one poor fellow, whose lungs had been pen- 
 etrated by a ball, was just gasping for breath, but 
 was able to say, "How much comfort it is to see 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 109 
 
 kind ladies who feel for us in our suffering! " An- 
 other, whose throat was pierced by a bullet, could 
 not utter a word, but a look of thankful recognition 
 was even more expressive. It seemed to me that 
 every form of suffering humanity was presented, 
 and once my feelings gave way, and I exclaimed, in 
 agony of spirit, " I can not longer endure the sight 
 of so riiuch suffering ! " One of my nieces exclaimed, 
 " Do, aunt, go forward for the sake of the relief you 
 may be able to afford." I rallied, and continued to 
 endure the painful ordeal until every ward was vis- 
 ited. We administered restoratives to those who 
 could receive them. Indeed, there was not one who 
 could not receive a small quantity of the choice cor- 
 dials which we happily possessed. When I told 
 these men, who had but recently left their New Eng- 
 land homes, that I too was a New Englander, their 
 joy was unbounded ; and one young soldier, who 
 was from my native town, nearly bounded from 
 his pillow, when informed of the fact. 
 
 For three hours we wended our way through these 
 scenes of sorrow and of joy — for there was some 
 pleasure mingled with the pain — and at sunset we 
 returned to our home. Did I sleep that night ? 
 No, for my mind was too much occupied with the 
 scenes I had witnessed ; yet the sorrowful retrospect 
 was mitigated by the pleasure of believing that some 
 comfort had been imparted to those suffering sol- 
 diers. From day to day we continued ; alternating, 
 obtaining supplies one day and administering them 
 
110 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 the next, which plan lessened the oppressiveness of 
 the labor. 
 
 Previous to the surrender of Vicksburg, which 
 opened Port Hudson, the vain attempts to take the 
 latter filled every hospital in New Orleans to the 
 utmost extent, and every hotel, excepting the St. 
 Charles, was used for hospital purposes. At one 
 time, sufficient material for bandages was not pos- 
 sessed, and the ladies were appealed to for aid. 
 During the hot sun of June days, I traversed the 
 streets of New Orleans, calling at the houses of la- 
 dies of wealth, asking them for material to dress 
 the wounds of our soldiers. I was often repulsed 
 by ladies who would say, " The Yankees have no 
 business to come here and get wounded, and I shall 
 give nothing for them." But I would say, "They 
 are here among you and are suffering, and will not 
 mercy prompt you to give a piece of old linen, or 
 even cotton, which I know you can easily spare?" 
 By continued importunity I generally succeeded in 
 obtaining something, although reluctantly given. 
 
 I continued visiting the hospitals until there was 
 no longer any absolute necessity ; and in the autumn 
 of 1863, I gave my assistance to the establishment 
 of the first schools for the freed men. I accepted 
 the appointment as principal of a school in a Pres- 
 byterian church of the Third District. In this 
 work I had some new experience. Although I had 
 taught among a people quite as ignorant as the 
 negro race, yet I had never found among any peo- 
 
TWENTY YBAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. Ill 
 
 pie such an ardent desire for instruction as among 
 this race, who had been born and raised in a civi- 
 lized and Christian land, yet had no knowledge of 
 the first rudiments of education. Some highly in- 
 teresting cases came under my observation. 
 
 One man who presented himself as a pupil, said, 
 " I am sixty years old and have been a preacher of 
 the Gospel forty years," and yet did not know one 
 letter of the alphabet. He related to me his relig- 
 ious experience, which had constituted the subject of 
 his preaching. He says, " When I thought myself 
 sinking down into eternal woe, due my sins, there 
 appeared One before my eyes who showed me his 
 pierced hands and side, and said, 'All this I suffered 
 that you might be saved from the punishment of 
 your sins.' Oh, I fell down at the feet of this lov- 
 ing Savior, and he raised me up, saying, ' Thy sins 
 are forgiven thee.' I went to others and told them 
 of this loving Jesus, and I can not tell you of the 
 great numbers who have been brought to feel them- 
 selves sinners, and made to rejoice in the same for- 
 giving love. I still tell the wonderful story, and 
 though it was forty years ago I first learned the 
 Savior's love, it is still new." 
 
 Even so, my sable brother, this story of the " Sav- 
 ior's love" will continue to be new when "forty" 
 millions of years have rolled their rounds, and this 
 story of the Gospel of the Son of God is destined to 
 bring in all God's chosen ones, and will never lose 
 its power on earth, " till all the ransomed church of 
 
112 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 God be saved to sin no more." How was I struck 
 with the measure of this poor ignorant colored man's 
 labors for Christ and for souls ! I doubt not but in 
 the great day he will be able to present more jewels 
 for his master's crown than thousands of others of 
 Christ's people, endowed with all the advantages of 
 human learning. 
 
 I found among many of those people some won- 
 derful manifestations of divine grace in their behalf, 
 and I felt convinced that their deprivations had been 
 compensated by a greater measure of the Holy 
 Spirit's power and influence. I should have liked 
 to continue in this work, but I was already com- 
 mitted to one of equal importance, and waited for 
 the way to open for my return to my divinely ap- 
 pointed field of labor. 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 113 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Brownsville taken by the United States troops — The garrison 
 burned — Attempt to burn the town — Eeturn to Browns- 
 ville — Find the Seminary building greatly injured — 
 Eepaired it, and opened my school — Eeligious iniluence 
 of the army — Troops recalled — Obliged to leave — Return 
 to New Orleans — Maximilian decides to sustain religious 
 liberty in Mexico — Start for Monterey — Another visit to 
 Bagdad — Close of the war — What the people of Bagdad 
 thought — Assassination of President Lincoln — Disrespect- 
 ful demonstrations forbidden by the Confederate General 
 of Brownsville — Arrived safely in Monterey. 
 
 IN November of 63, General Banks took Browns- 
 ville, and my seminary building was restored to 
 me again. Early in '64 I crossed the Gulf and 
 took possession, but found it considerably damaged 
 by the explosion of gun-powder. The Confederates 
 were taken by surprise, having no suspicion that 
 the Federals were approaching, until they landed 
 at Brazos. Of course but a short time was given 
 them for evacuation, in the accustomed way. Every 
 thing must be destroyed, and the commanding 
 general immediately ordered the garrison to be set 
 on fire, and to facilitate the destruction of the town, 
 gun-powder was placed in such a manner as to make 
 quick work of it. By a sudden change of wind 
 only a few buildings of the town were burned, but 
 10 
 
114 TWENTY TEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 those which remained were more or less damaged 
 by the explosion of the powder. The walls of the 
 seminary, being of brick, were cracked in several 
 places, and all the windows were broken. 
 
 I expended two hundred dollars of my own pri- 
 vate means for repairs, and opened my school, and 
 soon had sixty pupils. The occupation of Browns- 
 ville by the Federal army greatly improved the 
 character of the town. That the presence of an 
 army should cause an increase of moral and relig- 
 ious influences is quite an uncommon circumstance. 
 Several of the of&cerswere Christian men, and,-vvith 
 the chaplains and agents of the Christian Commis- 
 sion, quite a religious community was constituted. 
 During the spring of '64, a hopeful revival of relig- 
 ion prevailed, and many con-versions took place 
 among the soldiers. The churches were made vocal 
 every night of the week with songs of praise, and 
 Brownsville, for that time at least, bore the impi-ess 
 of a God- worshiping people. Is it not true, that 
 there was a very decided religious aspect through- 
 out the whole army ? Many of our soldiers went 
 into the army thoughtless and unconcerned about 
 their souls, but came out decided Christians. 
 
 I was much interested in the conversion of a young 
 Irishman at Brownsville, who was a Roman Catho- 
 lic before joining the army. He thanked his God 
 that he enlisted as a soldier, as through the Bible 
 and other means of grace he had learned about a 
 religion which did " his soul good." It was pleas- 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 115 
 
 ant living in Brownsville in those days, and it was 
 with the most painful emotions that we were ap- 
 prized of the necessity of evacuating and leaving 
 the town again in the hands of the Confederates. 
 The defeat of General Banks up the Red River, 
 made it necessary that the troops occupying Browns- 
 ville should be withdrawn for service in the locality 
 of the disaster. This order to ns in Brownsville 
 was a sad and most unexpected event, and I am 
 fully aware no event of the war occasioned more 
 pain to me personally than to be obliged again to 
 surrender my work and turn over my repaired 
 house into the hands of those whom I knew would 
 treat it with sacrilegious abuse. I even appealed 
 to some of the Confederates to know if I could not 
 be permitted to remain and continue my school. I 
 was told, I should probably receive abuse and in- 
 sult, so I submitted to the imperative necessity of 
 again breaking up ray establishment.* 
 
 General Herron, who was in command, rendered 
 me all necessary assistance, and furnished me, with 
 
 * After tlie war closed the seminary in Brownsville was oc- 
 cupied by Mrs. Jeremiah Porter, whose husband was agent of 
 the Christian Commission. Mrs. Porter carried on the school 
 very successfully for several years. When Kev. Mr. Porter was 
 Bent to Fort Sill, as Chaplain of the United States Army, the 
 seminary was committed to the care of the Presbytery of West- 
 ern Texas, and it is hoped that the building will still continue 
 to subserve the object for which it was founded. 
 
116 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 Other ladies, means of transportation to New Orleans. 
 Arriving there, I soon engaged in teaching in the 
 colored schools again, and thanked God that in all 
 the varied vicissitudes of war opportunities of use- 
 fulness were aiforded me. 
 
 I remained in New Orleans until March of 1865,* 
 at which time I became convinced that the difficul- 
 ties which had prevailed in Mexico had become so 
 much lessened as to justify me in taking up the line 
 of march towards that long-desired post of useful- 
 ness. Accordingly, I took passage on a United 
 States transport, and went to Brazos, as that port 
 was still retained by the Federals. Remaining there 
 one night I was conveyed in a Government ambu- 
 lance to the opposite landing of Bagdad. A detail 
 of soldiers accompanied us, as there was no safety, 
 on account of the Confederates lying about in am- 
 bush. Several balls whistled by us. I crossed the 
 Rio Grande, and found Bagdad greatly improved 
 since the time which we could find no other accom- 
 modations there but the hold of a schooner. 
 Business houses of all kinds had been erected, and 
 its general appearance indicated it to be a first-class 
 commercial town. Vast quantities of goods from 
 all parts of the world had been passed through 
 Bagdad, by which the whole South had been sup- 
 plied. 
 
 * This was the time that Maximilian determined upon relig- 
 ious liberty in Mexico. 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 117 
 
 I went to the St. Charles Hotel, and found no 
 difficulty in obtaining entertainment, until I could 
 obtain conveyance to Matamoras. While I was 
 there, news came of the surrender of General Lee's 
 army, and I had the opportunity of witnessing the 
 efiects of that painful intelligence upon those who 
 had staked their all upon the ultimate triumph of 
 the Southern Confederacy. 
 
 Expressions like these were made : 
 
 " It can not be possible that our righteous cause 
 can fail !" " Justice and right must and will pre- 
 vail." 
 
 Another said : 
 
 " It is an act of strategy on the part of General 
 Lee. He is feigning to evacuate Richmond, and 
 going to withdraw his army to cut off Sherman and 
 the whole host of Yankees." 
 
 " Do not fear ! we shall see greater fighting than 
 we have seen yet, and the South will surely come 
 off victorious." This man seemed to be quite an 
 oracle among them, and hope sprang up in all minds, 
 that the news just received was all a hoax. 
 
 The great calamity it would prove to Bagdad if 
 the war should end was also discussed. One man 
 expressed his deep regret by saying : 
 
 " If this news be true, no more cotton and goods 
 will be shipped through Bagdad." 
 
 Many like him would have been glad to have 
 war and bloodshed continued indefinitely, if they 
 could continue to make money. 
 
118 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS; 
 
 As soon as convenient, I went on to Matamoras 
 and looked for conveyance to Monterey, the place 
 of my destination. While here, news arrived of 
 the assassination of President Lincoln, and truly 
 sad was the intelligence to many hearts. I was 
 much gratified at the demonstrations made by the 
 Confederate officer on the Other side of the river. 
 The commanding general forbade any expressions 
 of disrespect towards the murdered president, under 
 penalty of severe punishment. Some fellows, how- 
 ever, of the baser sort, did come over to Matamoras 
 and hold a mock funeral, which act received the 
 condemnation of Mexicans and Americans gener- 
 ally. 
 
 After waiting several days, a stage was an- 
 nounced to start for Monterey, if possible to get 
 through the obstacles which obstructed the way. 
 No less than three distinct governments were in 
 existence. Matamoras was in possession of the 
 Imperialists, Monterey of the Juarists, and about 
 midway between the two Cortinas had established 
 his government. I felt some concern about start- 
 ing under such circumstances, but finally concluded 
 to do so, and. the morning of starting I said to a 
 friend, " What do you think of my attempt to go 
 to Monterey ? " He replied, " If it was any one 
 but yourself, I should say it was extremely hazard- 
 ous ; but you seem proof against disaster or acci- 
 dent." I started, and was favored in having an 
 American gentleman for a fellow passenger, who 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 119 
 
 very kindly rendered me all necessary assistance. 
 Our driver,1who was a Mexican, proved an expert 
 in getting through the lines of the different gov- 
 ernments, and after six days travel we arrived 
 safely in Monterey. I was truly happy, after so 
 many delays, to find myself in my long-desired 
 field of labor. 
 
120 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Seeking Protestant head-quarters — No missionary Society had 
 entered Mexico — The agent of the American Bible Society 
 scattering the Bible — Fruits apparent — Necessity of a per- 
 manent Protestant Mission — Monterey regarded the most 
 important point — Suitable buildings necessary — Resolve to 
 come to the United States for money —Trip from Monte- 
 rey to Matamoras — Taken prisoner by Cortinas — Favor 
 found with robbeis — Fate of other travelers — " Blue 
 Coats " pass unhurt. 
 
 MR. HICKEY had been scattering the Bible broad 
 cast over Northern Mexico for two years, and 
 precious fruit was apparent. There were already 
 many converts, and we had reason for believing 
 that much fruit was waiting to be gathered from 
 the seed already sown. My impressions were, that 
 the promising indications justified the pern)anent 
 establishment of a Protestant mission at some 
 point in Northern Mexico. 
 
 Monterey, on account of its commercial interests, 
 was the most important city of this portion of the 
 country, containing a population of about forty 
 thousand inhabitants. It was the center of strong 
 Roman Catholic influences, and whether to plant a 
 mission where Satan's seat seemed so strongly en- 
 trenched, was a vital question. Some persons who 
 were acquainted with the prejudices existing there, 
 advised me to seek a place less under Romish 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 121 
 
 power. But after mature deliberation, I came to 
 tlie conclusion that as we must have error to com- 
 pete with in any locality to which we might go, it 
 was as well to attack the strongholds, and "grap- 
 ple with the prince of darkness on his throne," by 
 establishing the truth in the very heart of his do- 
 minions. 
 
 The weapons we designed to employ were of a 
 caliber which justified our advance upon Satan's 
 batteries, although glistening with his choicest ar- 
 tillery. Availing myself of all the information 
 and counsel possible, after three months investiga- 
 tion, I decided to fix the head-quarters of Protest- 
 antism at Monterey. In order to secure all neces- 
 sary advantages, I found we must have a building, 
 over which we could exercise undisputed control. 
 During the three months I had been in Monterey, 
 I had rented three houses, and had to move as 
 many times, for as soon as the priests found I was 
 teaching the Bible, they always found means to 
 dispossess me of the house. Protestant worship 
 was kept up by the converts in their own houses ; 
 yet, I could see how greatly it would facilitate the 
 cause, and give it repute, to "have a suitable place 
 for Divine worship. We needed, also, accommoda- 
 tions for schools, as I had found these auxiliaries 
 indispensable to the prosperity of a Protestant mis- 
 sion. I resolved to come to the United States, 
 which I was happy to know had ended its long 
 night of war, and see if I could obtain aid for the 
 11 
 
122 TWENTY YEAK8 AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 erection of suitable buildings for the contemplated 
 mission. 
 
 I left Monterey in August of '65, and it may 
 not be amiss to give some of the incidents of my 
 journey by the way. 
 
 During my stay in Monterey the Imperialists 
 had come into power. We retired one night the 
 subjects of a Republic, and arose the next morning 
 under the dominion of an Empire — the Republi- 
 cans quietly evacuating during the niglit, and the 
 Imperialists taking possession. Consequently, 
 Monterey and Matamoras were now both under the 
 same government; but Cortinas ' still maintained 
 his reign in the intervening territory, much to the 
 disquietude of the people, especially to that of trav- 
 elers. His principal intention was to harass the 
 Maximilian government by cutting oiF all com- 
 munication by mail, and hindering the transfer of 
 goods. But he was nowise scrupulous whom 
 he encountered, provided booty could be ob- 
 tained. 
 
 He had assumed the character of a regular 
 guerrilla chieftain, having under his control about 
 a thousand desperadoes of like character with him- 
 self. It had become extremely hazardous to travel 
 through his dominions, and every stage attempting 
 to pass met with portions of his command, and 
 passengers were dispossessed of every thing they 
 had, escaping only with their lives. There was no 
 other way for me to get to the frontier but to pass 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 123 
 
 these banditti, as they extended in all directions, so 
 as entirely to intercept travel. 
 
 I waited some time for more favorable indications 
 before I should feel justified in starting. Finally, 
 a train of merchandise arrived in Monterey from 
 Matamoras, having been protected from Cortinas" 
 grasp by a convoy of several hundred French sol- 
 diers, and although constantly beset, it had suc- 
 ceeded in getting through. This convoy was to re- 
 turn to Matamoras, and it was thought stages 
 might go along safely under its protection. There 
 were two lines of stages, the proprietor of one be- 
 ing an American ; that of the other, a Mexican. 
 The former immediately decided to go, and it was 
 deemed prudent for some of the merchants to send 
 along a considerable amount of specie — some one 
 hundred thousand dollars or more. One million 
 was first proposed, but that amount was regarded 
 quite too hazardous. 
 
 I was invited by the American to go in his stage. 
 He said to me, " I mean to get through safely, and 
 I will see that you do also." 
 
 Although advised to do so by other friends, I 
 could not feel willing to go under the protection 
 of French soldiers. My impression was very 
 strong that the French had no right to be in Mex- 
 ico, and I felt that I could not ask God to protect 
 me by means of these foreign aggressors. Besides, 
 I well knew that Cortinas would be informed of 
 the valuable prize, and that no efforts would be 
 
124 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 lacking to secure such a booty. Bullets would, I 
 doubted not, be flying from the ambush of the ban- 
 ditti, and I did not choose to put myself in the way 
 of them. 
 
 I declined, from my own personal convictions, 
 but several others, who had been waiting for con- 
 fVeyance, took passage and left Monterey. The day 
 after the departure of this stage, the proprietor of 
 the other line proposed starting, and going along 
 without any convoy. I immediately concluded to 
 go, for quite satisfactory reasons to my own mind. 
 In the first place, we were requested to take no bag- 
 gage, therefore we would offer no prize to Cortinas. 
 Another weighty reason was that the driver was a 
 Mexican, the same with whom I had traveled a 
 few months before, and I already knew his powers 
 of conciliation with his own people, and I had rea- 
 son to believe that he would prove an expert in 
 dealing with the ruffians we might have to en- 
 counter. 
 
 Several others concluded to go, among whom were 
 two ladies — one a German, the other a Mexican. 
 My friends furnished me with all needed supplies 
 for any emergency ; and one kind friend, who had 
 made ample provision, as she said, for a sojourn in 
 Cortinas' camp, remarked with much apparent sad- 
 ness, " I should feel much better about you, if you 
 had gone with the convoy." 
 
 At 4 P. M. of the second day after the departure 
 of the other stage, we started, and, as we passed from 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 125 
 
 the outskirts of the city, I felt conscious of a con- 
 voy accompanying us, but not of "French soldiers." 
 All fear departed, and we traveled on without mo- 
 lestation until the close of the fifth day. Occasion- 
 ally some one would say, "There are the robbers!" 
 But if there, they did not molest us. We stopped, 
 intending to remain a few hours, but were informed 
 that the convoy had passed only three hours before. 
 This was regarded a dangerous proximity, as we' 
 had no desire to share their chances of escaping Cor- 
 tinas. Our driver immediately started on another 
 road (as roads abound in Mexico) and we traveled 
 all night, excepting a few hours for the mules to 
 rest. In the morning we came to a ranch, and upon 
 inquiry, found we were but a short distance from 
 the camp of Cortinas ! There was no retreat then, 
 and it was thought much better to go forward than 
 attempt to evade him, so we went bravely on. Soon 
 we were met by a company of horsemen, who in- 
 formed us we must go to the camp as prisoners. 
 Arriving there, we were told that Cortinas was dis- 
 tant some ten miles,' and he would have to be brought 
 before any disposition could be made of us. Our 
 carriage was driven into the center of a large space, 
 around which were stationed vast numbers of armed 
 men, some on foot and gome on horses, evidently 
 prepared for any emergency. 
 
 Our mules were removed, and we remained sitting 
 in the stage. Looking about, I saw several men 
 lying around on the grass evidently sick. The 
 
1 Zb TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 thought immediately struck me: I will try and 
 alleviate their sufferings, and let these people see I 
 am a friend to them, although their prisoner. Ac- 
 cordingly, I took some articles of food and choice 
 delicacies, got out of the carriage, and walked very 
 deliberately about among the sick. Finding some 
 with a burning fever, I administered to them such 
 cordials as I had. One asked for camphor, which I 
 regretted, I could not give him. But I felt grati- 
 fied in imparting even a ray of comfort to suffering 
 humanity, although to such a rough class of human 
 beings. I returned to the stage, and very soon it 
 was surrounded by men who looked as if they too 
 would like some token of my favor. I disposed of 
 my ample supply of provisions among them, and 
 found I was fast making friends in my new quar- 
 ters. Knowing Mexican character so well, I was 
 perfectly assured I had gained considerable ground 
 in securing personal protection in any emergency in 
 ■which 1 might be placed. 
 
 An officer, who seemed to have charge, rode up, 
 and I asked him if I had any reason for apprehend- 
 ing danger? He seemed much mortified at my sug- 
 gestion and replied, "An American lady shall not 
 be harmed." In about five hours, Cortinas' ap- 
 proach was heralded by a band of martial music, 
 and soon he, with his body-guard, was before us. 
 He was the complete personification of a guerrilla 
 chief. His Indian face and evil eye, portrayed the 
 desperate character he had for many years sustained 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 127 
 
 upon the frontier ; and we felt any thing but com^ 
 fortable while he sat on his horse in silent con- 
 templation, evidently considering what he ^should 
 do with us. My worst apprehensions were that he 
 would take our carriage and mules, and leave us 
 helpless in the midst of our journey. 
 
 After some time of suspense, Cortinas put his 
 hand upon his stomach, and looking earnestly at us, 
 faid, " Yo tengo hambre," (I am hungry.) We 
 immediately took the hint that he wanted his din- 
 ner, and we were not slow in bringing our best sup- 
 plies for the occasion — sending them into a jacal 
 near by. Cortinas and his staff went in, and, after 
 remaining about half an hour,- came out, looking 
 very good natured, and, after some conversation with 
 our driver, gave him a pass, and bade us go in peace. 
 
 I was informed, while in camp, that Cortinas was 
 going out that night to attack the convoy and stage, 
 and obtain the money, of which they were perfectly 
 well informed. With such a prize in view we were 
 let-off as of comparatively small importance. I 
 felt anxious for the passengers, some of whom I 
 knew, but could do nothing for them, but lift a 
 prayer to God tliat their lives miglit be spared. 
 
 On account of a quarantine at Brazos, I was de- 
 tained at Brownsville some four weeks. Great ap- 
 prehensions were felt for the other stage, and it was 
 fully three weeks before any reliable information 
 could be obtained of its fate. A courier, at length, 
 arrived from Monterey bringing the news that Cor- 
 
128 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 tinas did really attack the convoy, killing and tak- 
 ing prisoners many of the soldiers, and robbing the 
 stage of the m6ney, but permitting the passengers 
 to return to Monterey. 
 
 An ex-confederate general and his aid, who were 
 traveling in their own carriage, were murdered, 
 while four thousand dollars in gold, and their horse 
 and carriage, were taken by Cortinas. 
 
 It was said at that time that a man with a " blue 
 coat" could pass Cortinas' camp unhurt, while a 
 "gray coat" would uniformly come up missing. 
 The attitude which the United States government 
 assumed in regard to expelling the French from 
 Mexico, and also the designs of the South toward 
 Mexico in case of the success of the Confederacy, 
 were fully understood by the Mexican people. This 
 explained the difference of treatment. 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 129 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Arrive in STew York — The American and Foreign Christian 
 Union approve my plan — No money in their treasury for 
 huilding purposes — Obliged to make personal solicitation 
 from individuals — First donation $500 — Other liberal con- 
 tributions — Crowning donation, $10,000, by one individual 
 — Obtained the necessary amount — Eeturned to Monterey — 
 Eev. Mr. Hickey's death — Mr. Thomas Westrup appointed 
 by the B. S. as successor — Purchased a building for the 
 Protestant mission — To be enlarged and remodeled — Mex- 
 ican converts would make good missionaries — Decided to 
 employ four — Wrote to the A. & F. C. U. for the means- 
 No money could be granted — Eesolve to go to the U. S. 
 and obtain it — Approved by the Board — Come to N. Y. — 
 Appeal to the Christian ladies — Favorable response by the 
 ladies of Hartford and New Haven, Conn. — Sufficient 
 means obtained for employing eight men from different 
 sources — Eeturned to Monterey — Mission house ready for 
 occupancy — Commissioned the Bible readers to go forth — 
 Success of their labors about Monterey. 
 
 AS soon as the quarantine was raised at Brazos, I 
 took the first steamer for New Orleans; and 
 from thence, came by sea to New York, arriving the 
 first of October. My plan of erecting a church and 
 school building in Monterey was approved by the 
 Board of the American and Foreign Christian 
 Union, but no aid from the society could be granted, 
 as there were no funds in the treasury for building 
 purposes. I was thrown upon the benevolence of 
 
130 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 individuals, and again was obliged to, make personal 
 solicitation. The proposition to obtain fifteen thou- 
 sand dollars, the amount which I felt the object de- 
 manded, was regarded by the board as somewhat 
 extravagant, and it was suggested by some of the 
 members that I should modify my expectations. As 
 exchange was at that time, fifteen thousand in cur- 
 rency was only equivalent to ten thousand in specie, 
 and, I very well knew, that I could not purchase 
 or build, as property was estimated in Monterey at 
 that time, an edifice to answer all necessary purposes 
 for any less sum than ten thousand dollars. I was 
 aware of an improved state of feeling of my Amer- 
 ican friends toward Mexico, and I fully believed I 
 should find persons wlio would contribute liberally. 
 I started out on the arduous and trying labor, 
 and was most agreeably surprised upon my first ap- 
 plication to receive a five hundred dollar donation 
 from a merchant, T. N. Dale, Esq., of New York. 
 I continued to realize liberal contributions from 
 Christian gentlemen, both in New York and Bos- 
 ton. But my crowning donation was ten thousand 
 dollars from one individual, E. D. Goodrich, Esq., 
 of Boston. This liberality was quite an advance on 
 what T received in my early solicitations for Mexi- 
 co. In former times I was satisfied and thankful 
 with a "one dollar" donation, and, "not having de- 
 spised the day of small things," the Lord rewarded 
 me by this remarkable display of his faithfulness 
 and loving kindness. " Be thou faithful over a 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 131 
 
 few things, and I will make thee ruler over many 
 things." 
 
 In May of 1866, I had procured in money and 
 pledges sufficient for my object ; and again set my 
 face toward Mexico, truly hajipy and thankful to 
 my kind friends who had so generously aided me in 
 my enterprise. 
 
 Upon my arrival in. Mexico, I found a republic 
 again, although in an unsettled condition, Juarez 
 had returned to the capital, and law and order were 
 being restored as far as possible, under the difficul- 
 ties which abounded throughout the country. 
 
 I rented a house, opened a school, and began to 
 look for a favorable location for building or purchas- 
 ing one already built, and remodeling it, so as to 
 answer all our demands. The distribution of the 
 Bible was progressing witli encouraging prospects, 
 but in the midst of Mr. Hickey's useful labors, he 
 was, in November, 1866, suddenly removed by 
 death. More than a passing tribute is due tiiis man 
 for his unwearied labors to circulate the Word of 
 Truth among the benighted people of Mexico. A 
 valuable fi-iend was lost to the cause of evangelical 
 religion when this good man was called to lay off 
 his armor for liis rest on high. His name still lives 
 among this people for whom he labored, and long 
 will those hills and valleys which he traversed be 
 bearing fruit from the precious seed he scattered. 
 The American Bible Society appointed another 
 agent, Mr. Thomas Westrup, who also had Mexican 
 
132 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 evangelization at heart, and the worli continued to 
 go on prosperously. 
 
 After some months looking, waiting, and counsel- 
 ing, I determined upon a location for planting the 
 first Protestant mission in Northern Mexico, as far 
 as mission premises were concerned. An edifice, 
 occupying a very favorable position in the city, 
 formerly built and owned by a Catholic priest, was 
 for sale, and which seemed adapted to our demands. 
 I availed myself of the advice of judicious persons 
 who were interested in the mission, and their opin- 
 ion corresponding with mine, finally brought me to 
 the conclusion to make the purchase. The price I 
 paid for the property was regarded by competent 
 judges a very low figure for that time. The man 
 of whom I purchased was offered the day after he 
 sold to me, five hundred dollars in gold for the bar- 
 gain ; but this Mexican, to his honor, replied, " I 
 have passed my word to the lady, and she shall 
 have it." 
 
 Although the building was very well finished for 
 a Mexican house, yet it required enlarging and 
 remodeling to answer the triple office of chapel, 
 schools, and residence, I was recommended to an 
 Englishman, who was said to be a competent man, 
 and engaged him, at a fair compensation, to do the 
 work.* Several months would elapse before the 
 building would be completed for occupancy, and I 
 
 * The contract was made and writings were drawn up by a 
 competent business man, an American, and friend to the mission. 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 133 
 
 looked around to see what work might present it- 
 self in the meantime. 
 
 Converts to the Protestant faith had multiplied ; 
 and some of the men, by continued and devoted 
 study of the Scriptures, had become quite capa- 
 ble of instructing their fellow-countrymen in those 
 truths which they had found precious to their own 
 souls. It occurred to me that a good working force 
 might be made out of those Mexican converts, for 
 propagating the Gospel in Mexico. Indeed, I be- 
 lieved that they were better prepared for efficient 
 service than any foreign missionaries who might be 
 brought upon the field, who, of course, would be 
 entirely unacquainted with the peculiarities of Mex- 
 ican character and customs. Although unlearned 
 in any of the sciences, except what they had learned 
 from the Bible, I doubted not that they might be 
 able to explain salvation by Christ, to the saving 
 of many souls. ♦ 
 
 I then selected four of the converts, and asked 
 them if they would be willing to go out among 
 their people abroad and preach Christ, 
 
 They said they would like to do it, but they had 
 their families to support by their daily labor, and, 
 consequently, could not give their whole time. 
 
 I inquired the amount required for their families. 
 
 They said, "About thirty dollars a month." 
 
 I then put the question, " If I will provide for 
 your families, will you give all your time to the 
 spread of the Gospel?" 
 
134 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 They answered in the affirmative, but wished it 
 distinctly understood that they would not be paid 
 for preaching the Gospel ; for, said they, " that 
 must be without money, and without price." 
 
 The matter being settled with them satisfacto- 
 rily, I wrote to the American and Foreign Chris- 
 tian Union, asking for the means of putting these 
 men into the field, which " was already white for the 
 harvest." I received the reply that no money could 
 be granted for the proposed work, as their treasury 
 was already overdrawn for work in other lands. 
 But could such a work as that presented to me be 
 relinquished because of this refusal ? 
 
 Must souls, for whom Christ died, be left to per- 
 ish in Mexico for the want of money? Nay, verily, 
 I will get it. He who has declared " the silver and 
 the gold to be his," will surely unlock the hearts 
 of his people to furnish the means, that His name 
 may be glorified in the salvation of souls even in 
 ■ Mexico. So I took my life again in my hand, or 
 rather put it into the hands of my loug-tried Pre- 
 server, and performed another hazardous journey 
 out of Mexico, arriving in New York in May, 
 1867. 
 
 My course was approved by the Society, and full 
 permission was granted me for makyig independent 
 solicitations for my object. I did not think proper 
 to go to the churches, as most of them were ali-eady 
 contributing to the Union, but decided to appeal to 
 . the Christian women of the land to aid in sending 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 135 
 
 out these native teachers of the Gospel in Mex- 
 ico. 
 
 Nor did my decision prove a vain speculation. 
 While waiting in -New York for Divine direction 
 I received a letter from the ladies of Hartford, 
 Conn., inviting me to come there and give some, 
 account of the work in Mexico. Regarding the 
 invitation as a hopeful indication of God's provi- 
 dence, I hastened to comply. A meeting was 
 called, and I found an appreciative audience. 
 These Christian ladies took the measure of my 
 purpose, heartily indorsing the plan, and came for- 
 ward and pledged one thousand dollars annually 
 for the support of native Bible-readers and colpor- 
 teurs in Mexico. With letters of recommenda- 
 tion, I went to New Haven, Conn., and a similar 
 meeting was called, and another thousand dollars 
 pledged. Need I enlarge upon the emotions of 
 gratitude which sprang up in my heart at this no- 
 ble demonstration of woman's love for the work of 
 her Divine Master? I felt like applying those pre- 
 cious words which our Saviour used in regard to 
 the services of one of old : " Wheresover the gospel 
 is preached throughout the whole world, this that 
 these women have done shall be spoken of as a 
 memorial of them." Truly, I thanked God and 
 took courage, believing I should yet see the Gospel 
 preached in Mexico by the Mexican themselves. 
 
 As the time for my return had not arrived, I 
 concluded to continue my solicitation and obtain 
 
136 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 money for putting more native converts into tbe 
 work, as I knew they might be found. I visited 
 some other places in New England and in the State 
 of New York, and from the Christian ladies I ob- 
 tained, after a few months, sufficient funds for em- 
 ploying seven or eight men. 
 
 With exultant hopes, I returned and found my 
 building ready for occupancy. In it we commenced 
 public worship on the Sabbath, holding also two 
 meetings a week ; and I opened a school for Mex- 
 ican girls. As soon as practicable, I gathered to- 
 gether my missionary band of native laborers, send- 
 ing them out two and two, as our Saviour sent out 
 the early disciples. This accorded with their views, 
 as they believed the examples of Scripture to be 
 their only guide. The Bible, distributed by the 
 Society's agents, had prepared the way, and many 
 souls were longing for more light and instruction. 
 
 The morning of their starting out upon the work, 
 when they came for their instructions, I noticed two 
 of the youngest men looked troubled, and I inquired 
 the cause. 
 
 They said they were afraid they would meet with 
 opposers, and that they might not be able to refute 
 arguments which enemies might bring against the 
 Bible; particularly they feared a priest whom they 
 expected to encounter in the way. 
 
 I read to them the tenth chapter of Luke, in 
 which is the account of Christ sending out the sev- 
 enty, and drew their attention to the expression, 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. l37 
 
 " and he sent them two and two before his face in- 
 to every city and place, whither he himself would 
 come," particularly the last clause. I said to them, 
 " You are going out in Christ's name to preach 
 His Gospel, and you may expect His presence and 
 blessing as he has promised." Their confidence 
 seemed to be renewed, and they cheerfully took 
 their bundle of books and departed. 
 
 Need I say this was an auspicious morning to 
 me? As these messengers of a pure Gospel went 
 forth to dispense light and truth in that dark papal 
 land, my heart burst forth in joyful exclamations 
 in behalf of Mexico : " Arise, shine ; for thy light 
 is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon 
 thee." 
 
 At the close of the month they all returned, each 
 with a favorable report. They had been kindly re- 
 ceived and entertained for the valuable instructions 
 they were able to impart. Those two young men 
 who went forth trembling came back rejoicing, 
 saying, " Every one whom we met listened to our 
 teachings without any opposition ; and even the 
 priest whom we so much dreaded said no harm of 
 the Bible." 
 
 I turned to the scene of the return of Christ's 
 laborers and read of the seventy returning again 
 with joy, saying, " Lord, even the devils are sub- 
 ject unto us through thy name." 
 
 Thus these men continued, from month to month, 
 traversing the country within the circle of one hun- 
 12 
 
138 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 dred miles around Monterey, teaching and preach- 
 ing the things concerning the kingdom of God. 
 They went from house to house and from ranch to 
 ranch, and many souls were brought out of dark- 
 ness into the light and liberty of the Gospel. 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 139 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Regions beyond — Send Bible-readers to the State of Zacatecas — 
 Influence of an American gentleman — Church organized at 
 Cos-^Letter from the " Christian World," giving the re- 
 sults of the labors of these Bible-readers — Mr. Westrup, 
 Bible agent, baptizes forty converts — This mission was 
 transferred, in 1871, by tlie A. & F. C. U., to the Presby- 
 terian Board of Missions — Converts multiply in ISIonterey 
 and vicinity — Letters ■nritten to the "Christian World" — 
 Details of the work — Interesting incidents — The priests 
 discomfited — An open Bible their^^read — Various disturb- 
 ances — Our Bible-readers persevere. 
 
 FEELIXG we must penetrate "the regions be- 
 yond," I concluded to send two of the laborers 
 into the State of Zacatecas, a distance of some three 
 or four hundred miles. I selected the two young 
 men already mentioned, who, with two of the Bi- 
 ble Society's colporteurs, went forth dispensing the 
 Gospel on their entire route. Arriving at a place 
 called Villa de Cos, they remained for several 
 weeks, teaching and preaching with great success. 
 Tlie State of Zacatecas had been highly favored by 
 the residence of an Araerican, a decided Christian 
 gentleman, for some years, whose influence, no 
 doubt, had prepared the way somewhat for the re- 
 markable fruits which resulted from the labors ot 
 our native Bible-readers. 
 
 Perhaps I can not better present the aspect of 
 
140 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 the work at that lime than by inserting a letter 
 published in the December number, 1868, of the 
 " Christian World," organ of the A. & F. C. U. 
 It was written by a gentleman occupying a distin- 
 guished political, and social position, a resident of 
 Zacatecas. The letter was dated Cos, July 4, 1868. 
 He says : 
 
 " I believe that it will be satisfactory for you to 
 know the development which the religious senti- 
 ment is undergoing in this country; and how true 
 it is, as we have considered, that if evangelical 
 ministers would come to labor here, the light of 
 truth would rapidly spread abroad and diminish 
 the influence of that fanaticism which the Romish 
 clergy has establislied. In consequence of some 
 sellers of Bibles and other religious books, having 
 come here from Monterey, jiublic attention has been 
 
 awakened in a lively manner. 
 
 Several persons interested by the simple reading 
 of the Scriptures, united for the purpose of dili- 
 gently studying them. At first, they were few, 
 but have gradually increased, until, on the arrival 
 pf Mr. Westrnp, Bible agent, about forty received 
 baptism (by pouring), and partook of the com- 
 munion, according to the Protestant sense of it, as 
 a solemn memorial of the sacrifice of Christ. 
 
 " Did you anticipate any thing of this kind ? 
 Probably not; knowing as you do, the terrible 
 influence of gur clergy, who now, however are as- 
 tonished at the wide breach that has been opened 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 141 
 
 in their dominion. Behold then, how, at the first 
 gleam of light over these regions, we discover that 
 the soil is fertile, and only requires intelligent work- 
 men to cultivate it in order to utterly cast down that 
 sacerdotal rule which has occasioned such untold 
 evils in this country, degrading and demoralizing 
 its inhabitants." 
 
 Among the number who prcifessed conversion, 
 were two highly educated Mexican men — a father 
 and son, who, upon the departure of our Bible- 
 readers, took up the work and continued to carry it 
 forward successfully. They soon started a periodi- 
 cal, called "The Evangelical Torch," a paper which 
 circulated quite extensively, enlightening public 
 sentiment generally, and valiantly defended the 
 Truth against the most violent opposers. I take 
 the liberty of continuing a brief history of this work 
 in Zacatecas. 
 
 Two years after this work commenced, there was 
 a membership of the church, of one hundred and 
 seventy members, and an edifice had been erected, 
 mainly by the Mexicans themselves. In 1871, an 
 urgent request was made to the American and 
 Foreign Christian Union for a foreign missionary. 
 This Board could not furnish a man who could speak 
 the Spanish, and the Presbyterian Board of Missions 
 having a man who had labored in South America, 
 whom they could put immediately into the field, it 
 was thought best by the A. & F. C. U. to transfer 
 the Mission to the Presbyterian Board ; and since 
 
142 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 November of 1871 * this mission has been under 
 their auspices, and I am happy to know is receiv- 
 ing a good share of prosperity. v 
 
 But to return to the mission of Monterey and its 
 vicinity. Perhaps I can not better exhibit the as- 
 pect of the work, as it presented itself at tiiat time, 
 than to copy some of the letters I wrote, which were 
 published inthe "Christian World." 
 
 To a disinterested observer, I doubt not, my des- 
 criptions may appear somewhat embellished, but 
 some degree of allowance .may be made for my stand- 
 point. Having looked upon Mexico years before, 
 shut up in papal darkness, with scarcely a ray of 
 hope, how could I feel otherwise than joyful and 
 exultant at the manifest evidence of the power of 
 truth over superstition and error? 
 
 Would the military soldier who had skirmished 
 long upon the outskirts of the enemy's country, 
 with scarcely any human hope of ever getting a foot- 
 hold, feel otherwise than exultant when he plants 
 himself in the heart of that land, and finds all bar- 
 riers to his permanent occupancy gradually disap- 
 pearing? I am sure not. But to the letters : The 
 following is dated, Monterey, December, 1868: 
 
 " Not since the glorious days of Martin Luther, 
 in which divine truth electrified the blinded subjects 
 of the apostate church into a new life, has there been 
 
 * On account of a revolntion in Mexico, missionaries were 
 not sent until Novem-ber, 1872. 
 
TWENTY YBAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 143 
 
 a more remarkable exemplification of its potency than 
 ■we are witnessing at the present time in Mexico. It 
 is truly gratifying to see with what satisfaction these 
 long deluded followers of Rome take the precious 
 truths of God's Word into their inmost hearts. 
 
 "All ages and conditions are alike influenced by its 
 transforming power. A man who had been a terror 
 to the country around, by his savage conduct, has 
 been so changed that he has the spirit of a lamb. 
 His wife, who was often obliged to hide herself to 
 escape his beatings, providentially met with a poor 
 girl, who had become a convert to the truth, to whom 
 she related the brutal treatment she frequently re- 
 ceived from her husband. This girl told her of the 
 religion which the Bible taught, in which husbands 
 were commanded 'to love their wives and be not 
 bitter against them.' The unfortunate woman was 
 forcibly struck with the blessedness of such a relig- 
 ion, and begged the girl to get the book which 
 contained it, and possibly she might prevail upon 
 her husband to read it. The girl had no Bible her- 
 self, as she could not read, but had heard what she 
 told the woman at the Protestant meeting. 
 
 "A Mexican woman, who was a Christian, was 
 urged to come and read the Bible to her husband. 
 And strange to say, the savage man listened with at- 
 tention to this first knowledge he had ever received 
 from God's Word. He became deeply interested, 
 and after abandoning one sin after another, he has 
 become entirely a changed man in heart and con- 
 
]44 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 duct. As soon as his mind began to be enlightened 
 he tore down his images, with which his house 
 abounded, and threw tliem away. His own lan- 
 guage to one of our colporteurs soon after this great 
 change, was : ' We have been taught to worship 
 devils instead of God. The church of Rome is as 
 diiferent from the church of Christ, as hell is from 
 heaven. How beautiful is the religion of Christ.' 
 
 " His wife also rejoices in the truth. It is now 
 three months since his conversion, and he seems to 
 be growing more and more sensible of the great sin- 
 fulness of his past life, and the great obligation he 
 is under to God for snatching him ' as a brand from 
 the burning.' 
 
 " Wherever our Bible-readers go, souls are brought 
 into the kingdom. Two went, two weeks ago, to 
 Montemoreles, a town of some thousands of souls. 
 They write me, 'Never have we seen a people so 
 desirous to hear the truth, as contained in the holy 
 Scriptures. Scarcely can we get time to eat and 
 sleep, so anxious are they to hear our readings in 
 God's Word. Several have professed conversion, 
 and given evidence that they are born again. 
 Among the number is an aged woman of sixty-nine, 
 and a boy of thirteen years. Two men who threat- 
 ened to shoot the colporteurs if they came there 
 with their Bibles, are now sitting at the feet of Jesus 
 in their right minds.' That Mexico is ripe for the 
 Gospel, facts in abundance plainly show. And that 
 God is most wonderfully raising up native agencies 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 14&. 
 
 to cultivate this promising field, is equally evi- 
 dent." 
 
 In connection with this letter, written 1868, I 
 will insert an extract from the " Missionary Her- 
 ald " (organ of the A. B. C. F. M.) of February, 
 1875, in which is made mention of the mission in 
 Montemoreles. I desire to do this to show to my 
 readers that this early work of native Bible-read- 
 ers was not evanescent, but has proven by its fruits 
 to be genuine Gospel work. But to the ex- 
 tract : 
 
 "In October (1874) Mr. Herrick again visited 
 several out-stations. At Montemoreles seven per- 
 sons were received to the church, three of them 
 heads of families. Mr. Herrick says no other one 
 of their churches is increasing in numbers so fast 
 as that of Montemoreles, and he thinks the con- 
 verts are of a worthy class." 
 
 In another letter of 1868 which I copy from the 
 " Christian World," I said ; " Although I wrote a 
 short time ago, yet I trust another communication 
 from me and Mexico will not come amiss. Inci- 
 dents of an interesting character are taking place 
 among us which I think can not fail to interest 
 you. The Gospel has taken root in Mexico, and 
 is producing fruits truly delightful. Never, in any 
 land of papal darkness, has the Word of God 
 shown itself to ' be sharper than a two-edged 
 sword ' with more certainty than in Mexico — a 
 country where the ' mystery of iniquity ' has so 
 13 
 
146 TWENTY YEAB3 AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 long prevailed, and the ' wicked ' one has so 
 boldly revealed himself, 'even him whose coming 
 has been after the working of Satan, with all power 
 and lying wonders.' The people who have so long 
 groaned under the oppressive yoke of that false 
 system, are happy in finding a religion more toler- 
 ant in its demands. 
 
 " Those who have embraced the religion of the 
 Bible acknowledge the freedom which the Truth 
 has given them. I met, yesterday, with an old 
 man of seventy years, who has recently been con- 
 verted. His face beamed with happiness as I asked 
 him: 'You find this new religion pleasant, do 
 you ? ' He replied, ' Oh, yes, there is no yoke 
 but is easy, and no burden but is light.' 
 
 " He came in from a small village, about forty 
 miles from Monterey. He informed me that 
 twelve persons, within a few months, had em- 
 braced the Gospel, and were rejoicing in it. Four 
 of his own family, besides himself, were among the 
 number. This work of grace was wrought through 
 the instrumentality of a man, (Mexican), who was 
 converted about a year ago in Cadereyta. Who 
 can doubt that this man is called to preach Christ, 
 when such fruits are manifest? I have never wit- 
 nessed a work more truly evangelical, or seen more 
 correct examples of true evangelists than we have 
 amons; the Mexican converts. 
 
 " Last Sabbath there came into our Sunday-school 
 two young men, who evidently, by their manner, 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 147 
 
 came for the purpose of caviling, and turning our 
 religion into ridicule. The superintendent met 
 them at the door, asked them to take seats, and sat 
 down by their side. After some little hesitation, 
 one of them very impertinently inquired, ' What 
 do you call yourselves? Methodists, Episcopalians, 
 Baptists, or Presbyterians?' The superintendent 
 very pleasantly replied, ' We call ourselves Chris- 
 tians.' 
 
 " The other visitor then inquired respecting our 
 belief. He was answered by being shown the third 
 chapter of John's Gospel, which he was requested 
 to read. I observed his countenance changed while 
 reading the solemn declarations of our Savior re- 
 specting the necessity of being 'born again,' in 
 order to become a true Christian and tit for the 
 kingdom of heaven. Immediately upon getting 
 through they arose, saying, ' We will come again,' 
 and politely withdrew. What struck me most 
 forcibly was the manner in which their imperti- 
 nence was met. 
 
 " Their appearance indicated that they belonged 
 to the first class of society. They were no doubt 
 champions of the Roman Catholic religion, but the 
 simple truths of God's Word completely disarmed 
 them, and I could readily account for the wonder- 
 ful success which crowns the labors of these con- 
 
 J._J TV/r ,• T'l „_^ ^i iU„ i«.,J^U nt, If ;„ 
 
148 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 Savior's own most blessed words, and upon them 
 they rely." 
 
 In another letter I say : " Our Bible-readers are 
 traveling over these hills and mountains, teaching 
 by the way-side, in the ranches, villages, and cities, 
 wherever they can find people to hear them, and it 
 is rare that they find the people otherwise than 
 anxious to hear something about the new religion, 
 of which they have already an indistinct account. 
 Some express the greatest surprise that the Prot- 
 estants teach such good things, as they had been 
 told by the priests to avoid Protestant teachings 
 more than murder or any other terrible crime. 
 
 " The spirit of controversy is scarcely found 
 among them. Particular subjects, upon which they 
 had relied for the support of their religion, are 
 brought forward for explanation. For instance, a 
 Bible reader was asked to explain how the words 
 of Christ could be understood so as not to have it 
 appear that Peter was the rock upon which the 
 church was built. It was explained to the satisfac- 
 tion of the inquirers that Christ was the chief cor- 
 ner-stone, and that he referred to himself, and not 
 to Peter, when he said, ' Upon this rock will I 
 build my church.' Six intelligent Mexicans were 
 present, all of whom expressed the utmost gratifi- 
 cation that this strong bulwark of the papacy was 
 so easily removed. Does it not a])pear evident 
 that the papal power sits loosely upon these people? 
 The Mexicans have been steeped and dyed in the 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMOMG THE MEXICANS. 149 
 
 Roman Catholic religion, and no longer than a 
 dozen years ago Satan sat undisturbed upon his 
 throne, with ' gates of brass,' and bars of iron, en- 
 compassing the miserable subjects of his king- 
 dom. 
 
 "But lo! God's Word found its waj' into these 
 dark regions, and revealed to these priest-bound 
 people that human law had no right to enslave the 
 consciences of God's accountable creatures. These 
 long enslaved subjects of papal dominion arose en 
 masse, and, after years of desperate struggle, ob- 
 tained religious freedom. Satan's kingdom now 
 totters, never again to be re-established in Mexico. 
 
 " Efforts have been made to restore again the 
 supremacy of the Romish religion ; but foreign 
 bayonets and imperial power proved inadequate be- 
 fore the purpose of a determined people. The prin- 
 ciples of religious freedom have taken such firm 
 hold of the Mexican people, that no papal shackles 
 can ever again enslave them. As well may the ele- 
 ments be stayed by human efforts, as the progress 
 of truth be resisted when it gets firmly fixed in the 
 mind. The Word of God can not be bound, and 
 will not be, until Mexico is brought to know its 
 truths in all their saving power. May the Lord 
 hasten it in his own good time." 
 
 A subsequent letter shows some of the annoy- 
 ances to which we were subject at this period, prov- 
 ing that somebody was getting his toes stepped on. 
 The letter says : 
 
150 TWENTY YKAitS AMONG THE MJ:XICAJSS. 
 
 " Rome, every no'W and then, gets much disturbed, 
 and does all in her power to overthrow the religion 
 of the Bible in Mexico. She has had several severe 
 throes in Monterey since this building has been de- 
 voted to Protestant worship. During the bishop's 
 recent visit, every means were used to disturb our 
 worship, and had we occupied premises of which we 
 could have been dispossessed, we should have been, 
 in all probability, driven out. But we sat securely 
 " under our own vine and fig tree," and let Satan 
 roar without, until he apparently came to the con- 
 clusion that we could not be moved, and finally 
 ceased his clamor. 
 
 " Romanism still lives in Mexico, but seems to 
 have lost much of her subtilty, for in her attempts 
 to oppose Truth she often defeats her own ill de- 
 signs. About two months ago, two of our Bible 
 readers entered the city of Durango, with their 
 Bibles and other printed truth. The priests stirred 
 up the populace against them to such a degree that 
 their lives were in imminent danger. The order 
 from these spiritual overseers was, ' Stop these her- 
 etical teachings or do away with the men.' Un- 
 daunted by their threats, our men appealed to the 
 authorities, and a guard of soldiers was immediately 
 sent to their protection, and they continued their 
 teachings to numbers of people desirous of learning 
 the trutli. The Alcalde told them 'to preach to 
 their heart's content, and if a regiment of soldiers 
 was necessary for their safety, it should be granted.' 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 151 
 
 " Popery is evidently shorn of its most potent 
 element — the power of coercion — and its former 
 glory has in a great measure departed. In propor- 
 tion as a pure Christianity is propagated, in the 
 same ratio its hold on the hearts of the people be- 
 comes relaxed. 
 
 "As the strongholds of that apostate church are 
 being broken down, 'the leaves which are for the 
 healing of the nations,' are especially needed. The 
 American Tract Society's publications are in great 
 demand ; the printed truth, scattered broadcast over 
 the country in the wake of the Bible, is now im- 
 peratively required. God has most wonderfully 
 raised up agencies on the field for scattering the 
 seeds of Divine Truth, and ' the wilderness and the 
 solitary place' are being made glad by the heralds 
 of the Gospel, who are being sent out to proclaim 
 its truths. 
 
 " With due self-distrust and humility, they seem 
 fully aware of their utter inability to do any good 
 of themselves. Their dependence is upon their 
 Divine Master, who, they confidently believe, calls 
 them forth in his work. I trust the Christian la- 
 dies who have so nobly undertaken the support of 
 these heralds of the cross, will not fail nor be dis- 
 couraged until truth is established in this dark 
 land." 
 
162 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Mission commenced in the City of Mexico — Bibles had been 
 circulated by the British Bible Society — Eev. Henry C. 
 Eiley sent by the A. & F. C. U. — His view of the work, 
 and success — Letter from an Englishman — Fields white 
 for the harvest. 
 
 NOT only had I occasion for rejoicing over the 
 promising aspect of the work in Northern 
 Mexico, but from other parts of the country came 
 cheering tidings. In 1869, Rev. Henry C. Riley 
 was sent by the American and Foreign Christian 
 to the City of Mexico. Mr. Riley had spent much 
 of his life in South America, consequently was well 
 acquainted with the Spanish language, and also of 
 Spanish character; besides, was a Christian gentle- 
 man eminently qualified to inaugurate and direct a 
 Protestant mission in this important field. Mr. R. 
 had, for some time previous, ministered to a church 
 in iTew York city composed of Spanish speaking 
 people. In the summer of 1868, I was in New 
 York, and met Mr. Riley, who had long been a 
 personal friend. Our meeting was in the Bible 
 House, and after the usual salutations, he said to 
 me, " Miss Rankin, why do you not go to the City 
 of Mexico, where there are two hundred thousand 
 souls, instead of laboring in Monterey of only about 
 
TWENTY YEAHS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 153 
 
 forty thousand?" I replied that I felt I was in 
 the field to which God's providence had called me ; 
 besides I thought forty thousand souls a goodly 
 number to labor for. I then put the question, " Mr. 
 Riley, why do you not go to the City of Mexico?" 
 " Oh," said he, " I can not leave my Spanish church 
 in New York; only yesterday a Cuban lady really 
 wept because she had heard a report that I was 
 going to leave." " How large a church and congre- 
 gation have you ? " "About two or three hundred." 
 "But, Mr. E,iley, can you feel justified in remain- 
 ing here and preaching to a few hundred people 
 who are surrounded with Gospel privileges, when 
 you might go to the City of Mexico where there 
 are two hundred thousand souls without one Gospel 
 preacher?" Mr. R. cast his eyes toward the floor, 
 and stood without speaking for several minutes; 
 then looking up with a cheerful face, said, " Miss 
 Rankin, I will go. Next August you will hear from 
 me in the City of Mexico." We parted ; and sure 
 enough, I heard from Mr. Riley, at the proposed 
 time, from the City of Mexico, and now let us hear 
 what he says of his new field of labor. I quote: 
 
 " Tliere is a perfect hurricane of Protestant feel- 
 ing raging against the Roman church. I feel much 
 as if I had suddenly found myself in the time of 
 the Reformation. The great thing for us to do is 
 to plant Christian churches and institutions here as 
 rapidly as possible. 
 
 " Long have these native Christians looked to 
 
154 TWENTY YEAKS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 their brethren in the United States in hope. May 
 they now have their hopes realized. If the Amer- 
 ican Church will make an effort worthy of the op- 
 portunity Christ has given them in this land, Mex- 
 ico might write one of the brightest and most deeply 
 interesting pages in missionary history in the course 
 of the next few years."* 
 
 This view of Mr. Riley, I believe, was not un- 
 grounded enthusiasm, but the result of impressions 
 suggested by the actual manifestations of the field. 
 It appeared fully evident that the Holy Spirit was 
 brooding over that whole land, and that only the 
 proper means need be used for Him to descend with 
 all his healing power into the hearts of multitudes 
 of Mexican peo])le, who had become utterly dis- 
 gusted with the i-eligion of Rome, and were waiting 
 for a religion better adapted to the wants of their 
 immortal natures. 
 
 To show that others saw things highly encourag- 
 ing, I will copy a letter written to the " Christian 
 World" by an English gentleman, who had been 
 for many years a resident of Mexico. As some of 
 tlie representations made by Mr. Riley and myself 
 have been regarded as somewhat "rose-colored," I 
 hope that the opinions of this staid Englishman 
 may serve to remove the imputation and corroborate 
 our statements of the circumstances of these needy, 
 
 *In two years after Mr. R. went to Mexico he had a church 
 in the city of 400 members, and this mission became really the 
 most important in the whole country, and continues to be so. 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 155 
 
 waiting people. This letter was dated, City of 
 Mexico, May 17, 1869. It says: 
 
 " It is impossible to look at the present state of 
 this country, (Mexico) without being sensible that 
 now is the appointed time for every servant of the 
 most high — for every believer in the blessed Savior 
 — for every Christian to exert himself to the utmost 
 to assist these unhappy people, who are now ready 
 and anxious to receive the glad tidings of the Gos- 
 pel. If the Christian brethren of the United States 
 could see what I see, and feel what I feel, -when I 
 attend the meetings of the evangelical brethren; if 
 they could see the more than two hundred persons 
 united in supplicating God, in reading and hearing 
 tlie Gospel, in singing the expressive and beautiful 
 hymns with a manfully intense feeling of devotion, 
 they would be convinced that there is no country 
 which requires or deserves their assisstance more 
 than this. Much has already been attained by the 
 efforts of some earnest laborers in the good cause." 
 
 .>(; >K ;K * >i< * * 
 
 The arrival of Rev. H. C. Eiley has given a 
 further stimulus to these laborers in the vineyard, 
 since he has shown us how to direct our efforts, and 
 by teaching the children to sing, has perfected 
 our mode of worship, and nearly doubled our con- 
 gregation. 
 
 " There are already five or six congregations 
 which are calling loudly for aid — either for preach- 
 ers or books. The former is very difficult to pro- 
 
156 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 cure, and the latter are required by thousands. . . 
 After reading one, they beg more earnestly for more. 
 Tliey see the Bible quoted in them, and their curi- 
 osity is excited, and their consciences are awakened. 
 They inquire, ' Can these things be so?' They get 
 the Bible to examine." 
 
 "Consider a population of eight millions of souls 
 to besaved — nearly all willing, and thousands anx- 
 ious to learn the way to eternal life, which they will 
 by reading these books, and thus be led to the study 
 of the Scriptures. It is impossible for me to find 
 words to express the profound conviction which 1 
 feel, that now is the appointed time to introduce the 
 true worship." 
 
 "Laborers, artisans, and even soldiers attend our 
 meetings. They are poor, and, therefore, more 
 willing to turn to Christ; are unlearned, but learn 
 all that is necessary for salvation in tlie Bible, and 
 the tracts which assist in understanding it. May 
 our Heavenly Father incline your hearts to help us." 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 157 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Organization of Societies — Evangelical Society of Oaxaca, also 
 one at Saltillo — The latter place not occupied — Should be, 
 by a Protestant missionary — Found it necessary to have 
 the work about Monterey properly organized — Procured 
 the services of Eev. John Beveridge — He very soon organ- 
 ized four churches — Mr. Westrup decides to become a 
 Baptist — The majority of Mexican converts decide not to 
 go with him — Futile attempts to move them — Ordination 
 of two ministers — Two more churches organized — Eight 
 schools in operation — Opening fields in the " regions be- 
 yond." 
 
 IT was quite comnaon for Mexicans, at this 
 period, after obtaining some knowledge of the 
 Bible to organize "Societies" for the purpose of 
 mutual instruction. The feeling seemed to prevail 
 that something must be done as a manifestation of 
 their utter disaffection toward the Church of Rome, 
 and as an earnest expression of desire for some- 
 thing better. 
 
 I will insert an article which was published at 
 that time, styled "An Invitation." It was dated 
 
 "Oaxaca, May 24, 1868. 
 " Sirs : 
 
 " Jesus Christ, in establishing his religion, had 
 for his object the moralization of mankind, and we 
 know how much civilization has already advanced 
 in consequence of the promulgation of His doc- 
 
158 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 trines, both in Europe and America. But in Mex- 
 ico our conquerors brought us Catholicism— that is, 
 the doctrine of Jesus Christ disfigured — fitted 
 rather to brutalize than to moralize and civilize. 
 Now, that beautiful system of free examination is 
 presented to us — a system which so well harmon- 
 izes with the democracy that rules us — the doc- 
 trines of Jesus Christ should be at once adopted 
 without any mixture or interpretation, but pure as 
 they came forth from His Divine lips. We ought 
 to do this, because we see that the nations that have 
 done this are those in the vanguard of civilization, 
 England in Europe, and the United States in 
 America. 
 
 " Look at our country ! What has Catholicism 
 done for us? Transformed the greater part of our 
 people into fanatics, ignorant and foolish, and the 
 rest into indifferent philosophers. . . . There- 
 fore every Mexican who desires the good of his 
 country should labor by every means within his 
 reach that every shadow of retrogression disappear. 
 
 " In order to obtain it, and that all this may 
 not be purely visionary, it is necessary to establish 
 a society which has for its object to instruct us in 
 the doctrine of Jesus Christ ; having its meetings 
 on the Sabbath ; and its secretary to open com- 
 munication with other societies of this kind. 
 
 " This society, once established, liberty of wor- 
 ship in Oaxaca will be a reality, and, without 
 doubt, if we are firm, consistent, and self-denying, 
 our people will progress." 
 
 Another similar Society was formed in Saltillo, 
 capital of Cohahuila, neighboring state of Nuevo 
 Leon, called the " Society of Artezaus," showing 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 159 
 
 the first steps of this great movement toward a 
 pure Christianity. Its operations had frequently 
 come to my notice through the Bible Society's 
 agent, who had sometimes addressed them at their 
 meetings. Three or four years after I went to 
 Monterey, I received a letter, signed by twenty 
 men, expressing the desire that I should send an 
 evangelical minister to instruct them in their duty ; 
 also, asking for some books treating particularly 
 upon the Bible. They gave me quite an elaborate 
 description of their origin and design. 
 
 Their breaking away from the Church of Rome, 
 it seemed, occurred several years prior to the pro- 
 clamation of religious liberty in Mexico, and was 
 produced by the reading of a Bible procured from 
 a German Protestant (the same man whom I had 
 supplied in 1857 and '58), and had their meetings 
 secretly until liberty of conscience was granted, 
 after which their operations were public. They 
 had established and supported several schools, from 
 which the Catholic catechism was excluded and the 
 Bible was substituted. 
 
 I complied with their request for books, but 
 could not send them a minister. I regret to state 
 that Saltillo has never been permanently occupied 
 by a Protestant missionary * — thus far, no suitable 
 man could be obtained. Many things conspire to 
 render Saltillo a highly important missionary cen- 
 
 • Eev. Mr. Park, an independent missionaiy, went there in 
 1869, but staid only a short time. 
 
160 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 ter, and I hope it may soon become the seat of 
 powerful Protestant influences through the agency 
 of some missionary Board. 
 
 In 1869 1 became convinced that our converts in 
 and about Monterey should become properly organ- 
 ized into churches. Hitherto, congregations had 
 been collected for worship, and men had been 
 chosen and set apart for administering the sacra- 
 ments. Hev. Mr. Hickey, the second Bible agent 
 in Northern Mexico, administered the first baptisms 
 by immersion, as that mode corresponded with the 
 belief of the " Plymouth Brethren," of whose So- 
 ciety he was a member. After his death, his suc- 
 cessor, Mr. Thomas Westrup, baptized converts 
 both by immersion and by pouring water upon the 
 head. At Villa de Cos, forty were baptized by the 
 latter mode by Mr. Westrup. 
 
 In the early part of '69 I was obliged to come 
 to the United States to procure funds for the mis- 
 sion, and before leaving I asked Mr. "Westrup, who 
 •was then agent of the Bible Society, if he would 
 draw up a " Confession of Paith," embracing the 
 main articles of belief of our Mexican converts, 
 remarking that I was frequently inquired of re- 
 specting their doctrines, and I wished for some- 
 thing to show which might satisfy the inquirers. 
 
 I added, also, I wished it more particularly on 
 his (Mr. Westrup's) account, as I knew the Bible 
 Society felt somewhat apprehensive that he might 
 be introducing something of a denominational 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 161 
 
 character to Lis labors; his duty being/accordir g to 
 established rules, the distribution of the Bible, 
 without note or comment. Mr. "VVestrup very 
 willingly acceded to my request, and drew up a 
 confession of faith, to which he said, " every 
 Mexican convert would subscribe," admitting three 
 modes of baptism, spriukling, immersion, and 
 pouring, stating most emphatically that " impor- 
 tance was not attached to the mode." 
 
 I ^yas satisfied with the document, and brought 
 it on to New York, showing it to the American 
 and Foreign Christian Union, and to the Bible So- 
 ciety, and entire satisfaction was expressed by the 
 officers of those Boards. 
 
 I had been in New York about two months when I 
 received a letter from Mr. Westrup, stating that he 
 was under the necessity of informing me that he had 
 changed his mind since my departure upon the sub- 
 ject of baptism. He said, he and all the converts 
 had decided to become Baptists, and that " hence- 
 forth the Mexican churches would practice immer- 
 sion only, and commune only with those who were 
 thus baptized." I immediately wrote a reply, that 
 " my object had been to bring souls to Christ in 
 Mexico, and that, in the choice of their mode of 
 baptism, I had no dictation to make." As a mis- 
 sionary of the American and Foreign Christian 
 Union, I had not the right of opposing a Baptist 
 church beinsr formed of the Mexican converts. I 
 closed my letter by saying, " I commit the important 
 14 
 
162 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 matter to the Great Head of the Church." There 
 I left it, feeling no particular anxiety about the 
 matter, if souls could only be saved, and continued 
 ray work of collecting funds for the mission. Some- 
 times the thought occurred, " Why should I labor to 
 bring souls to Christ with whom I can not be per- 
 mitted to commune at His table?" 
 
 But my prevailing impression was, that Mr. 
 Westrup was laboring under a very great misappre- 
 hension in regard to the sentiments of our Mexican 
 Christians. Although there were some who preferred 
 immersion, yet I well knew they had by voluntary 
 and united consent, entirely abandoned the doctrine 
 of close communion, which Mr. Hickey had instituted. 
 After we occupied the mission house, the communion 
 was open to all who loved our Lord Jesus Christ. 
 I could not believe that they would consent to be 
 trammeled again. Their idea was that they had 
 always been subjected to forms in the Romish 
 church, and they utterly rejected any thing that 
 savored of exclusiveness or uncharitableness. Their 
 great desire, I knew, was to profess Christ in a man- 
 ner which would bring them into fellowship with all 
 His true people. 
 
 In my communications to Monterey, I made no 
 allusion to the subject, merely giving instructions to 
 my colporteurs and teachers, and the work went on 
 as usual. After some three months, I received a 
 letter from the person whom I had left in charge 
 there, inquiring, "Why do you not say something 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 163 
 
 about the Baptist question, as I know you are 
 acquainted with the facts, because Mr. Westrup 
 read your letter to him about it before the congre- 
 gation. Many of the native Christians said, 'The 
 letter is beautiful, and that you had done more to 
 bring the Gospel among them than any man had 
 done.' They come every day, inquiring when you 
 are coming back. But you need not hasten until 
 you complete your business, as nearly all the con- 
 verts stand firm upon the old platform. Don Brig- 
 ido* has maintained his post under the greatest 
 pressure of Mr. W. Some three or four in Mon- 
 terey, and about the same number in Cadereyta have 
 decided to go with Mr. Westrup and become Bap- 
 tist." After the receipt of this information, I con- 
 cluded that, as the Mexicans had decided the matter 
 themselves, I would take hold and aid them by all 
 proper and Christian means, in the organization of 
 churches, in which, I felt assured, the great major- 
 ity of the members would unite in one communion. 
 
 When I returned to Monterey, I was happy, the 
 day after my arrival, in meeting the beloved native 
 Christians, and finding a uniform sentiment pre- 
 vailing, except with a very few, who preferred at- 
 taching themselves to Mr. Westrup. 
 
 I very soon procured an evangelical minister, 
 Rev. John Beveridge, who had labored for several 
 years in South America, and he immediately organ- 
 ized churches in Monterey ,-San Francisco, and Mes- 
 
 * Our principal native preaclier. 
 
164 TWEXTY YBAES AMONG THE MEXICANS, 
 
 quital. At Cadereyta an evangelical church had 
 been previously organized by Rev. Mr. Parke,* an 
 indepeiulent missionary, so we had four churches 
 which were in sympathy, and co-operated together 
 in harmony. The dissensions seemed to be fast 
 healing, when Mr. Westrup decided to resign his 
 connection with the Bible Society, with a view of 
 accepting an appointment from a Baptist Board of 
 Missions of New York for laboring in Monterey. 
 
 I have ascertained through the secretaries of this 
 Board, that they had received information (though 
 not by any one on the ground) that there were Bap- 
 tists among the converted Mexicans at Monterey. 
 Also, that they had written to Mr. Thomas Westrup, 
 making inquiries, and if such was the case, offering 
 to assume the support of the mission, placing him 
 at the head of it. These facts account for the sud- 
 den change of Mr. \Y.'s sentiments. 
 
 I feel perfectly confident that if the Baptist 
 brethren of New York had understood matters as 
 they really existed and proved themselves afterward, 
 they would not have done what they did, in sowing 
 discord among these newly-converted members of 
 the Mexican mission. These "babes in Christ'^ 
 were utterly unprepared to understand denomina- 
 tional issues, being totally at a loss to comprehend 
 how disunion could possibly exist among Christ's 
 true followers. 
 
 *I afterward employed Mr. Parke to labor with us, and he 
 remained in our employ about two years. 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 165 
 
 Mr. Westrup went on to New York, resigned his 
 agency of the Bible Society, received ordination and 
 a commission from the Baptist Home Missionary So- 
 ciety, and in the August of 1870 returned to Mon- 
 terey, and commenced most vigorously the work of 
 breaking up all our churches and forming Baptist 
 churches. For several months we were in constant 
 turmoil, as Mr. W. and his followers were visiting 
 our members at their homes, and in every possible 
 manner trying to induce them to join the Baptists, 
 telling them, as we were creditably informed, wo 
 " were no better than the Romanists, as we rejected 
 the express commands of Christ." 
 
 It can easily be imagined tiiat this state of things 
 among Protestants was a great source of exultation 
 among the priests, and for a few months we were 
 struggling with difficulties with which our persecu- 
 tion from Romanists would bear no comparison. 
 
 During that time, however, we had several aoces- 
 sions to our communion, not only in Monterey, but 
 in other places. Our churches were termed " Evan- 
 gelical," as that term corresponded with the Mexi- 
 can idea of gospel church. Mr. W. organized a 
 Baptist church in Monterey, and in some other 
 places succeeded in making proselytes.* 
 
 Two additional churches were soon added to oui; 
 number, and we found it necessary to ordain some 
 
 *I have recently been informed that the Baptist Society of 
 N. Y. has withdrawn its support, and Mr. Westrup lias gone to 
 Texas. 
 
166 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 of our natives, who had already become quite ac- 
 ceptable preachers, so they might be properly qual- 
 ified to administer the sacraments, and take entire 
 charge of churches. Accordingly, two received or- 
 dination, and were sent to their respective fields. Six 
 
 'churches were already in successful operation, and 
 more than that number of Protestant schools were 
 planted in various places, besides a girl's and boys 
 school in the mission building in Monterey. For 
 these latter schools I was obliged to employ foreign 
 teachers ; but for the others I employed natives, 
 who, although possessing a limited knowledge of the 
 sciences, were quite competent to instruct their 
 pupils in the knowledge of the Holy Scrip- 
 tures. 
 
 A letter which I wrote about this time, published 
 in the " Christian World," will probably give a 
 better view of the situation and work than I am 
 able to give at the present time. It says : 
 
 " We have abundant proof of the protecting 
 care and spiritual benediction of the Great Head 
 of the church in the events of the past year. I 
 fully believe this Mexican mission will never have 
 to pass a more severe ordeal; and as it has passed 
 through unscathed, we have reason for hoping that 
 
 .its future progress will be more than ever before 
 brilliant and successful. God has been better to us 
 than our fears. Never has there been a time when 
 our congregations were more influenced by the 
 Word of Truth than during the past few months. 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 167 
 
 Many souls have let go their grasp of Romanism, 
 and embraced the true gospel of salvation. 
 
 " We have in Monterey, at the present time, ten 
 who are under examination, and will probably be 
 baptized at our next communion. Also, in other 
 churches there are hopeful subjects who are express- 
 ing the desire to become united with the people of 
 God. We endeavor to be careful in admitting 
 members, and receive none into communion un- 
 tij we have evidence that they are truly 'born 
 again.' ... \ 
 
 " The coming year must witness an enlarged plan 
 of operations in this long-neglected country. We 
 are endeavoring to open several new missions with- 
 in a hundred miles of Monterey, and have already 
 sent men to prepare the way by circulating evan- 
 gelical reading, collectiUg congregations, and plant- 
 ing Sunday and week-day schools. The schools we 
 find to be great auxiliaries, as through them the 
 Bible can be introduced. The means for the sup- 
 port of our schools have been furnished by Sabbath- 
 schools and Young Ladies' Institutions of the 
 United States. . . . Our native evangelists and 
 colporteurs have received, too, their entire support 
 from the ladies abroad, and I trust their interest 
 will not wane. These noble Christian women came 
 to the rescue at a time when general indifference 
 and even repugnance prevailed against Mexico and 
 Mexicans, and I feel confident they will not desert 
 the cause while the Savior is giving such evident 
 
168 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 testimony of His approbation of their liberality in 
 belialf of souls for whom He died." 
 
 In a letter in June of 1870 I say : 
 
 " As the churches can be properly cared for in 
 this vicinity, I have recalled four men to go into 
 the States of Zacatecas, Durango, and San Luis 
 Potosi, a distance of* four hundred miles, and am 
 just starting them off with Bibles and other books. 
 My design is to open new fields in the regions be- 
 yond, and I wish I had the means of sending out 
 twenty men instead of four. The fields are white 
 for tlie harvest, and pleading for laborers. My 
 spirit has no rest in view of tlie great work which 
 
 might immediately be done in Mexico 
 
 Although we have had trials during the past 
 year, the work has progressed, and at no previous 
 time has it appeared more interesting and encourag- 
 ing than at the present." 
 
 A highly interesting case came before us some 
 little time later, affording another illustration of 
 tlie power of the Bible, without any human agency. 
 Agua Leguas, a place about one hundred miles from 
 Monterey, was situated quite remote from any of 
 the public thoroughfares, and had never, as any one 
 knew, been visited by any of the agents or colpor- 
 teurs. In the summer of 1871 one of our colpor- 
 teurs, being in that portion of country, thought he 
 would go to Agua Leguas and see if any thing could 
 be done there. He went, and, much to his surprise, 
 found quite a Protestant community, or, at least. 
 
TWENTY FKAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 169 
 
 several families, who had, for quite a length of time, 
 congregated together for the purpose of studying 
 the Scriptures, Our colporteur returned and re- 
 ported tlie facts. Don Brigido Supulveda, our na- 
 tive minister, accompanied by a lay brother, went 
 to examine and aid this little band of Bible-readers 
 in their search after truth. These brethren remained 
 some time, and found twelve who gave satisfactory 
 evidence of having received the truth in the love 
 of it. With instructions from Mr. Beveridge, a 
 church was organized of believing Mexicans, whose 
 sole instruction had been derived from the Bible 
 and one other book, an exposition of Romanism, 
 called "Nights with the Romanists," one of the 
 Tract Society's publications. It seemed these books 
 had come into their hands by some means, and 
 the people, not being subject to the control of the 
 priests, were free to investigate for themselves, and 
 their conclusions were, that the system of Roman 
 Catliolicism, as portrayed by the "Nights with the 
 Romanists," was false, and that the religion of the 
 Bible, as they learned it in that book, was the only 
 true religion. This church in Agua Leguas proved 
 to be one of our staunchest churches ; and who 
 knows but there may be many other oases of a sim- 
 ilar character in this great moral desert! Thou- 
 sands of Bibles have been scattered by agents over 
 that land, and we know not what silent M'ork they 
 may be accomplishing through the agency of God's 
 Holy Spirit ! 
 15 
 
170 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Image of the Virgin destroyed — Protestants suspected — Dan- 
 gers, seen and unseen — "Death to the Protestants" de- 
 termined by a mob — A colored friend — Appeal to the 
 Mexican authorities ; also to the American Minister — 
 Protection obtained — Destroyers of the image unknown — 
 Supposed to be instigated by the priests — Persecutions 
 overruled for the good of the mission. 
 
 DURING the winter of '69 and '70 we suffered 
 much annoyance from the Romanists. On the 
 14th of December, the night before special devo- 
 tions commenced to the Virgin Mary, an image of 
 the Virgin, which was situated in a conspicuous 
 part of the city of Monterey, was thrown down and 
 broken to pieces. The destruction of this object, 
 which had long been regarded with sacred devo- 
 tion, of course produced a most profound sensation 
 among the blinded devotees. ■ The morning after 
 the event, violent demonstrations were made towards 
 the mission-house. Persons would pass and throw 
 stones at the doors and windows, with various other 
 insults. We were not aware of the cause, not hav- 
 ing heard of the destruction of the image; and 
 knowing it to be a "saint's day," we supposed the 
 demonstrations to be merely an ebullition of their 
 piety, which had been frequently exhibited on such 
 occasions. Our schools continued their operations, 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 171 
 
 and all our work went on as usual, although stones 
 frequently came against our windows, breaking the 
 glass. Late in the afternoon a multitude of men 
 and boys gathered in front of the house, throwing 
 stoneSj and also uttering threatening language. 
 
 Through a neighboring boy I learned that the 
 image of the Virgin had been destroyed, and that 
 the Protestants were suspected of being the cause. 
 I was convinced, upon this information, that we 
 were in serious danger, and sent immediately to the 
 police head-quarters. After some time, several po- 
 licemen came and dispersed the mob, arresting some 
 whom they were able to capture, and sent them to 
 jail : yet squads remained around, hidden from the 
 authorities, and still continued their outrages as 
 they could find opportunity. A guard was placed 
 around the house; but I had but little confidence in 
 the police, since they personally, as I had learned, 
 were filled with indignation against the Protestants. 
 At a late hour of the night I went to the door, and 
 found one of the police sitting on the door-step, 
 with his head bowed down, apparently asleep. I 
 spoke to him, and, as I did so, a man came from 
 the governor's house, across the street, and said to 
 me in English, " Do not place any confidence in 
 these men, for they shut their eyes so as not to see 
 what is being done. I have heard them talk, and 
 they are not friends to you." 
 
 I asked him who he was. 
 
 He said he was a colored man from Kentucky, 
 
172 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 who had come to Mexico and joined the army, and 
 was stationed at the bisliop's palace (a niilitary post 
 near town) ; that he had been detailed that night as 
 sentinel at the governor's house. "But," added he, 
 "I will keep my eye on your house, and if I see 
 any thing which might endanger you, I will give 
 you warning, or notify the alcalda." 
 
 I thanked him — retired and slept a little. 
 
 Next morning several friends called — some ad- 
 vising us to leave the country immediately, as our 
 lives were in imminent danger; saying that during 
 the past night a quantity of gunpowder had been 
 procured for blowing up the building; that parties 
 were detected in injecting powder into the gutters 
 under the building. Whether this was really true 
 or not, I felt that I had some reason for fearing that 
 something of the kind might be done. I did not, 
 however, get my own consent to quit the field, but 
 decided to remain and establish my legal right. 
 
 With a gentleman friend, a Frencliman, I went 
 to the house of the alcalde (mayor of the city), and 
 asked him if Americans were entitled to protection 
 in Mexico. 
 
 "Why not?" said he. "Certainly, Americans are 
 entitled to equal rights and privileges with Mexi- 
 cans." 
 
 I then related to him my grievances, of which 
 he was already apprised to some extent. He ex- 
 pressed the deepest regret, and said no efforts should 
 be lacking on his part to suj)press any further out- 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 173 
 
 rages. Notwithstanding the utmost vigilance of 
 the authorities, daily outrages would be committed 
 against the mission building, showing that public 
 sentiment was not appeased for the loss of their 
 dearly cherished idol. 
 
 " Death to the Protestants " was written in large 
 letters occupying every available spot on the out- 
 side of the house. As the building was of stone, 
 and no external combustible material, I had no 
 cause of apprehending it might be set on fire, but 
 I could not avoid having serious apprehensions that 
 an effort might be madeto destroy it with gunpow- 
 der. Our Mexican converts sympathized deeply in 
 my grievances, and, for several weeks, one or two 
 kept watch in and around the premises night and 
 day. 
 
 I wrote, immediately after the disturbance com- 
 menced, to Mr. Nelson, United States Minister at 
 the City of Mexico, but on account of a revolution 
 prevailing in the vicinity of the capital, I did not 
 get an answer for six weeks ; but when the letter 
 came, it was all I could desire. Mr. Nelson ex- 
 pressed the kindest sympathy, and said I should 
 be protected in my jieaceful mission, and gave me 
 directions for procuring from the governor of the 
 State an official guarantee for full and complete 
 protection for the future. In case my presentation 
 failed to receive proper attention, I was to inform 
 him, and he would Iny the matter before the gen- 
 eral government at the capital. 
 
174 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 I followed his directions, and, as soon as possible, 
 papers were made out, signed by proper authorities, 
 which secured to me and all my interests complete 
 protection. 
 
 Tlie authors of the destruction of the image have 
 never been ascertained. I do not believe any of 
 the Protestants were accessory to it, although the 
 populace were made to believe it. Many believed 
 that the priests instigated the whole affair for the 
 purpose of raising a storm of persecution against 
 us, so we should be compelled to leave the coun- 
 try, if not put to death by the mob. I was told 
 by a reliable American gentleman, who was him- 
 self a Roman Catholic, that when the bishop vis- 
 ited Monterey during that year, he censured the 
 priests greatly for permitting the Protestants to 
 make such headway directly under their ministra- 
 tions, and told them that if they did not go to 
 studying and preaching in good earnest, and keep 
 their people away from Protestant meetings, he 
 would depose them. Whether the priests thought 
 it would be easier to blow us up than to preach 
 us down, " deponent saith not." Our persecutions 
 ceased, and nothing of a like serious nature has 
 since occurred. 
 
TWENTY YEAKS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 175 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Kevolution of 1871 — Commenced in Monterey — Dissatisfaction 
 with Juarez— Difficulty of obtaining soldiers — Bible-read- 
 ers sought after — Colporteur work greatly hindered — Peace- 
 loving Mexicans — Mexicans siipplied with arms — Battles 
 fought — Troops sent by Government — Great consternation 
 in Monterey — Battle fought bix miles from the city — The 
 generals flee, and the soldiers rush into town to rob and 
 murder — Houses built like forts— Determine to protect the 
 mission property — Soldiers at the door and window, de- 
 manding life or money — Conciliate them with some re- 
 freshments — Four men killed on my sidewalk — Escape to 
 friends — Men brought to order. 
 
 IT becomes my sad duty to rehearse another case 
 of poor Mexico's scourge and disgrace — revolu- 
 tion. 
 
 Oh, why have not the turbulent waters oF strife 
 been assuaged by the healing influences of the gos- 
 pel of peace in Mexico? Ah, human nature is still 
 rife in Mexico as elsewhere ! Ambition and polit- 
 ical jealousy will never cease to rule poor fallen hu- 
 manity until the brighter day of millennial peace 
 and glory. 
 
 In the autumn of 1871 a revolution commenced, 
 mainly inaugurated by General Treviiio, governor 
 of Nuevo Leon, the State of which Monterey is the 
 capital, and assumed quite formidable proportions. 
 A dissatisfaction arose at the previous election of 
 
176 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 Juarez — a party alleging that he had secured his 
 election by fraud, and seeming determined to over- 
 throw him and place another man ih the presiden- 
 tial chair, Perfirio Diaz permitted himself to be 
 jiroclaimed as the prospective president of the re- 
 public, and took the field himself. The feeling was 
 quite prevalent that Juarez was assuming somewhat 
 the character of a dictator ; and having been in the 
 presidency fourteen years, it was quite generally 
 believed that a change would conduce to the good 
 of the country. 
 
 As Mexicans are famous for an expression of 
 feeling by words, it was inferred that union of 
 eifort would not be wanting for the overthrow of 
 Juarez. But when the matter was fully tested, it 
 was found that but two or three States would en- 
 gage in actual combat. Nuevo Leon was the most 
 conspicuous of these on account of some particular 
 grievances which was- conceived Juarez had im- 
 posed upon the people, and consequently was re- 
 garded by the government as the head-quarters of 
 the rebellion. Consequently, Monterey being sub- 
 ject to an attack from the government at any time, 
 was in ajjeculiarly dangerous condition. The win- 
 ter of '71 and '72 was full of disquiet, as we were 
 in constant apprehension of assault, and also our 
 work was much disturbed by the effort to procure 
 men for military purposes. Our colj)orteurs, teach- 
 ers, and in some instances our preachers, were 
 sought after to be pressed into service. Although 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMOJIQ THE MEXICANS. 177 
 
 our ordained micisters were exempt from military 
 duty by the laws of Mexico, yet they were often 
 60uglit after, and their congregations were very much 
 lessened because the male members were obliged to 
 hide themselves to avoid being compelled to enter 
 the army. A general stampede of hundreds of 
 Mexicans, to the mountains, greatly disturbed all 
 kinds of business. Heavy prestimos (forced loans), 
 for military purposes, were constantly made upon 
 the merchants and on all who could pay any 
 amount. I was obliged to meet the demand, un- 
 der the threat of the confiscation of the mission 
 property. 
 
 Judging by the utter dissatisfaction expressed by 
 the majority of the Mexican people under these 
 rigorous demands, I should say there was not a 
 people under the sun who were more averse to war 
 than these same poor Mexicans, whom every body 
 believes to be ready to go into war merely from the 
 love of it. With no ])atriotism to inspire them, 
 they would hide themselves, and the leaders of the 
 Revolution had to resort to every kind of strategy 
 to obtain a sufficient number of men to make any 
 degree of sliow. My impressions are that it is 
 quite a small portion of the population which j)ro- 
 cures for the country the reputation it has. This 
 element is made up mostly of Indian character, and 
 when no cause for levolution exists, these outlaws 
 are engaged in guerrilla adventures for purposes of 
 robbery. 
 
178 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS, 
 
 Formerly, revolutions would be carried on with- 
 out much loss of life, as their weapons consisted 
 of old gun stocks, comparatively harmless, so that 
 the combatants generally all came out alive, ready 
 for another revolution when an opportunity was 
 presented. 
 
 But since the French intervention, and our civil 
 war, arms of an improved quality have been fur- 
 nished, and battles have been quite sanguinary — 
 thousands sometimes being left dead upon the field. 
 Whether this is an improved condition of things, 
 I hesitate to say, but one thing is evident : the dis- 
 cordant element of society in Mexico is becoming 
 lessened by these bloody skirmishes, and perhaps 
 after a few more years this faction may become so 
 much decreased that the peace-loving party will 
 predominate, and civil war and revolution cease to 
 be the scourge and disgrace of that fair land. 
 
 Several bloody battles were fought during the 
 winter within a hundred miles of Monterey, and 
 in (he interior Diaz carried on an unsuccessful cam- 
 paign ; being at last defeated, and obliged to flee to 
 tlie mountains, where he soon died from disease. 
 Tlie revolutionary party still continued their efforts, 
 after all liope of successful issue could possibly be 
 entertiiined. 
 
 In the month of May it was announced that 
 Government troops were approaching Monterey ; 
 of course, great consternation prevailed. Every 
 available man was pressed into service, either to aid 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 179 
 
 in the construction of fortifications, or to take the 
 field. Heavy prestimos were demanded; some of 
 the leading merchants refused to meet the demand 
 from utter inability to furnish the money. In that 
 case, they were forced to work on the fortifica- 
 tions; and a Spaniard, who formerly was a Spanish 
 Consul, actually dropped down, comjjletely over- 
 come by the attempt to labor under the scorching 
 sun. His friends carried him home, and by a com- 
 promise — paying four thousand dollars instead of 
 six thousand, as was first demanded, he was liber- 
 ated. 
 
 General Treviflo went out with his army, intend-r 
 ing to meet the enemy some eighteen miles from 
 Monterey, but failing to arrive soon enough was 
 obliged to have the engagement within six miles. 
 The utmost preparation was made by the families 
 for security in case the enemy got into town. 
 
 I understood more fully than ever before why 
 houses were constructed in the style I found in 
 Mexico. The walls are of stone, and a vara (33 
 inches) thick, and the windows are made wilh iion 
 bars, running from the top to the bottom about 
 three inches apart. The doors are of the strongest 
 wood, and secured by heavy iron bars. The old 
 houses were all built as secuifely as forts, but some 
 modern built houses were a little less guarded. 
 We prepared for the worst — we well knew that if 
 the revolutionary party were defeated, lile and 
 property were secure only within our dwellings. 
 
180 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 One of my teachers I had found means of send- 
 ing to the United States soon after the commence- 
 ment of the war, but the other I could not possi- 
 bly spare, remained, and I placed her in the house 
 of friends in a very secure part of the city. 
 
 The noise of the cannon was very distinctly 
 heard, and the battle raged for several hours. At 
 length, clouds of dust, which we could see in the 
 distance, indicated that troops were coming rapidly 
 toward the town. We knew not whether they 
 were revolutionary troops returning, victorious to 
 defend us, or those of the enemy coming to com- 
 plete their long-threatened purpose of destroying 
 every vestige of the rebellious city. A few min- 
 utes determined, for soon came squads of mounted 
 soldiers with the Governmental uniform riding 
 into various parts of the town. I was not partic- 
 ularly alarmed until some seven or eight rode up 
 to my house. Three went to the door and com- 
 menced pounding with a violence wliich indicated 
 they were determined to make an entrance even by 
 breaking it down. The others came to the win- 
 dow, and with pointed rifles, demanded " money or 
 life." I had in my house at that time, a Mexican 
 gentleman, our Protestant teacher, who had kindly 
 offered to come and assist me in the protection of 
 the house and property. I had also two Mexican 
 boys, one fourteen and the other nine years old. 
 Mr. Ayala, my Mexican friend, went with me to 
 the window, and we assured the soldiers that we 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 181 
 
 had no money, and as we were not their enemies, 
 we hoped they would not harm us. But they were 
 persistent, and thinking Mr. A., being a Mexican, 
 might be able to conciliate them better than myself, 
 T withdrew, and went into an adjoining room. 
 
 Soon Mr. Ayala came to me, his face blanched 
 with fear, saying : " They will kill me if I remain." 
 
 I told him to take care of himself and I would 
 take care of the house. My thoughts were occnpied 
 for a moment in the apprehension that he could not 
 scale the wall, as the walls of our yards are very 
 high; but I very soon felt the necessity of turning 
 my attention to my own danger. The pounding at 
 the door continued with renewed violence, and as 
 my door was not secured by iron bars, it was evi- 
 dent they would soon be inside, if I did not do some- 
 thing immediately. At the same time the boys 
 were crying out to me: "Do go, Miss Rankin; 
 they have already broken the door." I uttered the 
 prayer audibly, " O my God ! what shall I do?" The 
 thought immediately struck me, I will give them 
 something to appease them ; and as soon as possible 
 took some refreshments I had prepared for an 
 emergency, and went to the window in the face of 
 of those awful desperadoes, who with rifles in their 
 hands, I knew would not hesitate a moment to shoot 
 me. At that very time, a man whom they had shot 
 was lying dead on the pavement before me. My 
 heart quailed before such a sight, and with manifest 
 emotion, I approached and stood face to face, saying : 
 
182 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 " I am alone and unprotected ; you will not harm a 
 helpless lady?" At the same time I passed the 
 refresliments into their hands, which they eagerly 
 seized; and those at the door came and partook with 
 them. They asked me for some brandy, which if I 
 had possessed, I should not have hesitaled to give, 
 even upon the strictest "temperance" principles, 
 but told them I had none. They then asked me 
 for water; and in attempting to pass a cup between 
 the iron bars, I failed, as the width between would 
 not permit. Here was a fearful dilemma; for I 
 knew they were exceedingly thirsty, as their faces 
 covered with dust and powder indicated, and my 
 thought was, they will now order me to open the 
 door, and in case I refuse they will shoot me. I 
 stood in a maze, when one looked up to me with a 
 kind expression on his face, and said, " N^ever mind, 
 we will hold our mouths up to the bars, and you 
 may pour the water from the pitcher," which I did, 
 as one after the other came up to be served. 
 Although it was quite a novel mode of waiting 
 upon guests, yet I think I never enjoyed greater 
 satisfaction in any manner of entertainment which 
 I had ever before adopted. They became quite 
 amused over the performance, and inquiring if Gen- 
 eral Trevino's house was on the other side of the 
 street, they departed. I heard them break into the 
 house ; sliooting the man who was left in charge, 
 (the family had left.) They also broke and ruined 
 every thing they could not carry away. By this time 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 183 
 
 the city was full of soldiers, fully bent upon murder 
 and robbery. 
 
 Four men were killed but a short distance from 
 my house ; indeed, every person, man, woman and 
 child, found on the street was shot down. The ut- 
 most effort was made to break open doors, with axes 
 and by balls, and in some cases they succeeded. In 
 one of the principal business houses, a young man 
 was instantly killed while at his desk, by a bullet 
 fired through the key-hole, and penetrating his 
 neck. 
 
 For four hours I was in the house alone with my 
 two boys, whom I kept concealed lest they might be 
 seen and killed. I knew none of my friends could 
 get to my relief, and I greatly feared I might have 
 to remain all night, and I well knew those awful 
 creatures would become so much intoxicated by that 
 time, that I should fail in my attempts to conciliate 
 them. 
 
 About sunset the tramping of horses ceased, and 
 the firing of guns seemed to be in the distance ; and 
 I ventured to look o'ut of my window and could see 
 no one either way on the street. I felt that was 
 my time to escape, and told the elder boy to open 
 the door, and taking the smaller one, I passed out, 
 saying to the one I left, " Remain and take care of 
 the house, and as soon as possible I will send some 
 one to you." I hastened out. I had not been out 
 of the house before that day, for a month, on account 
 of sickness, and I felt I could only walk. I had 
 
184 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 not preceded more than a block toward my place of 
 refuge, when the boy looked back, saying: " They are 
 coming." I cast my eye around, and saw several 
 horsemen riding full speed, with their rifles before 
 thera, about three blocks off. I tliought I have 
 passed through too much peril this afternoon to be 
 sliot down on the street; and I quickened my pace 
 with a strength I scarcely knew I possessed, and 
 succeeded in getting to my friends, who had suffered 
 the most intense anxiety for my life. A sum of 
 money had been offered for some one if he would 
 go to me, but when the attempt was made, the sight 
 of the dead upon the street, prevented him from 
 getting to my house. 
 
 At dark son\e officers of the government came 
 into Monterey, and brought the men to order. At 
 the time the battle ceased, both parties it seemed, 
 believed themselves beaten ; and the Generals, Mex- 
 ican-like, fled from the field, leaving their men of 
 course in perfect disorder. Carillo, the Government 
 General, ran and did not halt until he got to the 
 Rio Grande, never returning, "Init was heard from 
 some time after at Vera Cruz. Trevino, being more 
 at home, drew up when he got about thirty miles, 
 and after a little delay, ascertaining that he h;id not 
 really been whipped, he came back next morning 
 and took possession of the field, collecting his dis- 
 persed soldiers. Three colonels of the government 
 being left on the field, and finding their general 
 was missing, concluded he had gone to Monterey, 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 185 
 
 • 
 
 came in, and finding the town in the condition it 
 was, took possession. A provisionary governor was 
 constituted out of one of the colonels, and a govern- 
 ment was set up which remained in force all of five 
 days ; at the end of which time. General Trevino 
 and his troops came in and took possession ; taking 
 the newly elected governor and thrusting him into 
 prison. 
 
 16 
 
186 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Still in the hands of the Revolutionists — The people deter- 
 mined the trouble should cease — The Generals consent to 
 obtain terms from Juarez — Three men sent to the city of 
 Mexico — Juarez rejects them — His denth occurring in ten 
 days after their arrival, Lerdo de Tejada came in power — 
 Issued an amnesty proclamation — Peace declared — Gov- 
 ernment troops take possession of Monterey — Mission 
 house demanded for Gen. Kocha — Resisted — Mission 
 again prospered — Obtained a competent teacher for a 
 young men's training school in Monterey — Thirty pupils 
 under his instruction. 
 
 OUR condition was not at all improved, as we 
 were still in the hands of the Revolutionists, 
 and subject to continued annoyances from the Gov- 
 ernment party, wliich, we were well aware, would 
 not give up tlie contest until Monterey was in its 
 possession. The people of Monterey, and, indeed, 
 of the whole state, were completely overwhelmed 
 with the attendant evils of the war, and the citi- 
 zens, witii unanimous voice, urged tlie commanders 
 to l)ring the unhappy contest to a close. 
 
 The pressure being so great, Trevifio and Qui- 
 roga consented, provided Juarez would grant cer- 
 tain conditions which they proposed, and three of 
 the most reliable men of Monterey were selected to 
 go to the capital and confer with Juarez jierson- 
 ally. Accordingly, they started, leaving Monterey 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 187 
 
 the middle of June, and arriving in the city of 
 Mexico about the middle of July. They obtained 
 access to the President, and presented the terms of 
 capitulation offered by the revolutionary generals. 
 The terms were obstinately rejected by Juarez, and 
 no hope left that any favor would be shown the re- 
 bellious party either personally or in State matters. 
 This was the condition of affairs at the time of 
 Juarez's death, which occurred ten days after the 
 arrival of this commission. 
 
 The death of Juarez opened the way for Lerdo 
 de Tejada to come into power, who, happily, was a 
 favorite with all parties. The Revolutionists had 
 offered to lay down their arms some months before, 
 if Juarez would vacate the presidential chair in 
 favor of Lerdo, who, they claimed, had received 
 more votes at the previous election than Juarez. 
 
 Lerdo immediately issued an amnesty proclama- 
 tion, and in less than two months all parties be- 
 came satisfied, and peace reigned once more in Mex- 
 ico. 
 
 Lerdo was made president by a vast majority at 
 the proper time for the election ; and the position 
 which he has taken in favor of the highest inter- 
 ests of the country, promises progress and prosper- 
 ity. There may be, however, a remnant yet left of* 
 discord and revolution, and we know not how soon 
 it may be stirred into hostile activity. Neverthe- 
 less, improvement is unquestionably stamped upon 
 Mexico, yet she may still be subject to some draw- 
 
188 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 backs, but will, I doubt not, when fully sifted, be- 
 come a nation worthy of respect. Public schools 
 are being established throughout the country — good 
 school buildings are being erected, and the general 
 attendance of the youth is required. The future 
 generation of Mexicans will, undoubtedly, bear the 
 impress of the great and stupendous blessings of 
 religious freedom. 
 
 I will return again to our condition in Monterey. 
 About the first of July, Eocha, Government Gen- 
 eral, recaptured the city, and order, comparatively, 
 was restored. Although we anticipated more out- 
 rages upon the advent of the troops, yet we happily 
 escaped. The revolutionary generals, seeing re- 
 sistauce no longer possible, took the imprisoned 
 governor, and re-instating him in command of the 
 city, quietly withdrew with their forces and ord- 
 nance. 
 
 The morning of the advent of the Government 
 troops, an order came to me for the mission house 
 to accommodate General Rocha and staff. 
 
 Some hundred houses in the city were also de- 
 manded for the accommodation of officers and reti- 
 nue. I was not at all pleased with the proposal, 
 and was determined to resist compliance with the 
 'order, and sent immediately to the governor and 
 alcalde for their influence in countermanding: it. 
 These officials had already left the city to meet the 
 army, which was expected to arrive at twelve. 
 Nothing could be done until their arrival, but we 
 
TWJENTY YEAE8 AMONG THE MEXICANS. 189 
 
 prepared for the worst, and removed every thing 
 from the house, knowing that the occupants, with 
 their numerous attendants, would not fail to ruin 
 books, furniture, and every thing else found in a 
 Protestant house, from mere recklessness, if nothing 
 more. We informed the An^i^an consul, and he, 
 with other friends, met General 'Rocha updhhis en- 
 trance into town, informing him that the house was 
 owned by foreigners, and occupied by American 
 ladies. These facts elicited the heartiest apologies 
 from the general for the mistake, as he called it, 
 as foreign property is exempt, by the laws of Mex- 
 ico, from military uses. The American flag, which 
 I had on the house that day, was duly honored, 
 and I was much amused to hear Mexicans say, as 
 they passed, "Should any wrong be done that 
 house, there will a bigger ball in Mexico than ever 
 has been yet." We received the kindest attentions 
 from the ofifieers, finding among them some decided 
 Protestants. 
 
 Our mission, which had been somewhat cheeked 
 in its operations, soon recuperated, and our colpor- 
 teurs were able to go out again upon their work. 
 Our ordained ministers proved great helps, and we 
 were fortunate in obtaining the services of a highly 
 educated Protestant teacher. This man, Jesus 
 Ayala, had been converted in Zacatecas, through 
 the instrumentality of one of the colporteurs of the 
 Bible Society, from whom he obtained a Bible, and 
 with the instruction which the colporteur was able 
 
190 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 to give, he became a decided Protestant Christian 
 man. He came to us, without any pretensions, and 
 altliough he had certificates of character from 
 Juarez and other distinguislied men, he did not 
 present them to us as recommendations. When I 
 inquired, some time after we became acquainted 
 with him, why he did not show us tiiese credentials 
 upon his arrival, he replied, "I jireferred winning 
 your good opinion by my conduct." 
 
 We employed him in a " young men's training 
 school," and he succeeded to our perfect satisfac- 
 tion. He, with his wife, united with our church, 
 and proved to be a valuable acquisition to the mis- 
 sion.* 
 
 * I regret to state that they have now left onr mission, and 
 returned to Zaoatecas. 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 191 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Failing health — Felt I must leave the field, or soon die — Bit- 
 terness of the cup — Resignation to tlie Master's will — Came 
 to New- York — The A. & F. C. U. decline to receive my 
 resignation — Wished me remain at the head of the Mis- 
 Bion — Finally left me to transfer the Mission as I thought 
 proper — Ckmcluded to transfer it to the A. B. C. F. M. — 
 Accepted. 
 
 I MUST now come to the most trying event of my 
 twenty years missionary life among the Mex- 
 icans. The labors and cares of the many years 
 were developing consequences which warned me 
 that my physical ability for continued work was 
 very ])recarious. A disease, contracted upon my 
 first entrance into Texas in 1847, intermittent fever, 
 increased to such a degree, that I became nearly 
 prostrated. Also, a severe attack of sickness which 
 I had on the sea, upon my return from the United 
 States in 1871, aided greatly in undermining my 
 constitution. I had entertained the hope that I 
 might continue to labor, and die on the field. In- 
 deed, it had been the long cherished desire of my 
 heart, that I might make my last resting-place with 
 the Mexican people, and with them rise in the 
 morning of the resurrection, as a testimony that I 
 had desired their salvation. 
 
192 TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 Yet it was a serious question, wiiether I ought to 
 remain with the impression that I could live but a 
 brief time, or whether I should not put the work 
 into other hands, and seek a more congenial clime 
 for my broken constitution. The latter branch of 
 the alternative seemed more consistent, as by so 
 doing, my life might be prolonged for further serv- 
 ice in my Master's vineyard. But it was a pain- 
 ful struggle to contemplate the abandonment of my 
 long loved and dearly cherished work. How could 
 I consent to leave those native converts, with whom 
 I had enjoyed such sweet Christian communion — no 
 more, to meet them in the delightful worship of 
 God's sanctuary ? Never did those trophies of 
 Christ's love appear so precious, as when I felt I 
 must tear myself from them. And the evangelists, 
 teachers, and colporteurs, how could I leave them 
 and no more guide them in their work for Christ 
 and souls — sending them forth and waiting their 
 return with reports which rejoiced my heart? 
 
 Although I loved the work beyond my own life, 
 yet there seemed to be a duty in the matter, and I 
 carried my sorrows to my Divine Master, who, I 
 believed, had put the work into my hands, and had 
 been, during all those years of labor, my guide and 
 support. In humble confidence, I was constrained 
 to believe it to be His will that I should retire from 
 the arduous duties, and surrender the mission into 
 the hands of other laborers whom He might call 
 into the field. The mission had assumed propor- 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 193 
 
 t 
 
 tions which required ordained ministers; and it 
 seemed proper that the general direction of the 
 whole work should be in their hands. This con- 
 sideration, and the failing condition of my health, 
 seemed to be the meeting- ot two direct ir'rovidences 
 leading to the same conclusions. 
 
 I felt thankful that God had given me health and 
 strength to labor for Mexico when no others wonld 
 condescend to notice such a hopeless field. I thought 
 of the times I had turned and wept, because no one 
 appeared to care for the souls of the poor Mexicaua. 
 But now, evangelical Christians, with one heart and 
 one mind, say by their actions, "We will take 
 Mexico for Christ." What a happy contrast ! Mis- 
 sionaries of all Protestant denominations * are 
 hastening to spread the Gospel among the long 
 neglected people. 
 
 In view of these facts, my heart seemed relieved 
 of its burden, and I settled peacefully into the con' 
 elusion that the evidently necessary change was in 
 the order of God's providence, and in accordance 
 with His own wise purpose. I arranged all matters 
 pertaining to the mission as well as I could, and 
 committed the oversight of the work to E,ev. Mr. 
 Beveridge, until permanent arrangements could be 
 made. In the month of September of 1872, 1 came 
 to New York to confer with the American and 
 Foreign Christian Union, the Society with which I 
 
 * Several missionary Boards entered the field after 1870. 
 
 17 
 
194 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 had been connected since 1856. The directors de- 
 clined to accept my resignation, desiring me to 
 retain the mission under my control, and do little 
 or much, as my health might permit. I could not 
 feel that any more missionary service on the field 
 ■was my duty, yet, in consequence of this decision of 
 theirs, I waited for further developments of Provi- 
 dence. I continued my solicitation for funds for 
 the support of the mission as hitherto, until Jan- 
 uary of '73, at which time, the American and For- 
 eign Christian Union became convinced that they 
 would be compelled to give up all their foreign 
 ■work, on account of the -withdrawal of the support 
 of the various denominations. The directors noti- 
 fied me of this fact, and left me to dispose of the 
 Mexican mission as my judgment and choice might 
 dictate. 
 
 I decided to confer with the American Board, in 
 relation to the transfer of the mission to it, and in 
 the month of March, 1873, I -went to Boston and 
 presented the matter to the Prudential Committee 
 of that Board. 1 gave them the history of the mis- 
 sion from its commencement, -with all the attendant 
 circumstances, as accurately as possible; and after 
 due deliberation they proposed to receive it,' with 
 all its appurtenances and responsibilities. Although 
 I h'ad full confidence in the American Board, yet, 
 when I came actually to surrender my dearly cher- 
 ished treasure, " the fruits of more than a score of 
 years of weeping, and bearing precious seed," my 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 195 
 
 heart again shrank, and I exclaimed, " How can I 
 give it up." I left the rooms of the Board without 
 being able to say, " I relinquish the mission into 
 your hands," and retired to ray dwelling — passing 
 the night in meditating upon the duty which I felt 
 lay before me. " About the fourth watch " of the 
 night, appeared One, who in other scenes of trial 
 had come " walking upon the sea " of trouble, and 
 calmed my anxious heart. By faith I realized the 
 sympathy of my Divine Master, and felt the com- 
 forting assurance that the mission was His, and that 
 He would take care of all its precious interests. 
 Indeed, I was made conscious that it was even 
 dearer to Him than to myself. The next morning 
 I returned to the Rooms, and with the full consent 
 of my heart, gave the mission and all its interests 
 into the hands of the American Board. 
 
 It was received with a favorable appreciation, and 
 I feel confident that it will have due consideration 
 in the future. I relinquished all further care and 
 responsibility ; the Board assuming the entire sup- 
 port of the mission, and thus relieving me from any 
 more solicitation of funds. Four new missionaries 
 have already been sent into the field ; yet more even 
 are needed to occupy the whole extent of territory 
 assumed by the Board. 
 
196 TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Concluding thoughts — Points in Northern Mexico should be 
 immediately occupied — True policy of treating Catholics 
 — Deacon Stoddard's advice — Spirit of popery still alive 
 in Mexico — Martyrdom of Stephens — Crowning joy of my 
 work among the Mexican people. 
 
 IMPORTANT points in Northern Mexico should 
 be immediately occupied by other missionaries, 
 to collect congregations, organize churches, and 
 put into exercise native talent and ability. Mex- 
 ico should become evangelized mainly through the 
 instrumentality of Mexicans themselves, yet they 
 need to be guided into the best manner of working, 
 and require a leading mind to direct them. They 
 are very submissive, and most passively yield to 
 advice and instruction. 
 
 Much precious seed has been scattered by Bible 
 agents and colporteurs over a wide expanse of coun- 
 try iu Northern Mexico, and is, I doubt not, des- 
 tined yet to bear an abundant harvest. No means 
 should be lacking for the complete development of 
 this work of faith and pra3'er, and it is hoped that 
 the American churches will not be remiss in their 
 duiy to sustain the hands of the Board with all 
 thf necessary means for carrying forward this work 
 as Its importance demands. 
 
 A. church edifice has been in contemDlation in 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 197 
 
 Monterey, to be built on a lot which I purchased 
 at the same time I did the Seminary building. For 
 prudential reasons I deferred its erection, although 
 I have had funds for the purpose for four or five 
 years. I have thought it better not to do too much 
 at once, but wait until the public mind was some- 
 what prepared for seeing a bona fide Protestant 
 church right in their midst, especially as the Semi- 
 nary building was sufficiently ample to allow us a 
 very commodious chapel for religious services. 
 
 I believe it wise, as far as possible, to avoid ex- 
 citing prejudices in our labors among Roman Cath- 
 olics. The tenacity with which they adhere to their 
 religion should be carefully recognized, and every 
 thing avoided which tends to vex and irritate them, 
 even though we may defer somewhat to their prej- 
 udices. It has been a fixed principle with me not 
 to attack their religion, but present the Truth, and 
 let that do its work. To this sentiment, which I 
 have found eminently judicious, I am indebted to 
 a man of sainted memory, the late Deacon Charles 
 Stoddard, of Boston, Mass., upon whom I called in 
 my eavly labors for Mexico. After making me a 
 liberal donation for the object I had in hand, he 
 said, " In your labors among Romanists, be sure 
 to make no decided demonstrations against their 
 religion ; only present the Truth to them. If you 
 wish to enlighten a room, you carry a light and set 
 it down in it, and the darkness will disperse of 
 itself" 
 
198 TWENTY YEA.ES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 
 
 The application of this idea has always been per- 
 tinent with me, and I would recommend its adop- 
 tion to all others who are called into this depart- 
 ment of Christian labor. While we are admon- 
 ished to " be harmless as doves/' we should also en- 
 deavor to " be wise as serpents." An appearance 
 of timidity should be carefully avoided, and yet to 
 avoid an undue presumption is equally important. 
 With the Truth of God in our hearts and in our 
 hands, we can afford to be bold, with a holy bold- 
 ness ; and in a country where laws are tolerant, we 
 should avail ourselves of every advantage which 
 the law gives in resisting persecution. The spirit 
 of popery is still alive, as has been recently exhib- 
 ited in the brutal massacre of a Protestant mission- 
 ary in Western Mexico. The {priests never did a 
 more unwise thing for Catholicism — by this act 
 Protestantism will, no doubt, gain a footing which 
 might have taken years to obtain, as the spirit of 
 intolerance thus manifested can not fail to ensure 
 the execration of all the better class of Mexicans, 
 and it may be hoped that means will be employed 
 to prevent the recurrence of similar outrages. 
 
 Although we may shed tears of grief on account 
 of the untimely death of our fallen brother, yet fur 
 more may be achieved for the cause which he loved, 
 by his death, than could possibly have been by his 
 continued labor. Martyrdom oftentimes bears 
 precious fruit. 
 
 It is gratifying to know that another has taken 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 199 
 
 up the fallen banner of the lamented Stephens, and 
 is going forward in the prosecution of the same 
 glorious work. 
 
 Satan may yet make attempts to maintain his 
 throne in Mexico, but only to find himself baffled 
 and thwarted. The Bible is rapidly shedding its 
 hallowed influences, and will constitute bulwarks 
 against which the gates of hell shall not prevail. 
 
 To me, the crowning joy of the work in Mexico 
 is the triumph of Divine Truth over superstition 
 and error, proving beyond a doubt that the Bible 
 is Heaven's ordained instrumentality for elevating 
 fallen humanity, and for bringing back an apostate 
 world to the allegiance of God. If there is one 
 nation of people more than any other with whom 
 I shall delight to join in singing the song of Re- 
 deeming Love in the day when that great multi- 
 tude, which no man can number, stands before the 
 throne of God, I am sure it will be with the Mex- 
 ican nation. 
 
 " And to Him who has redeemed us to God by 
 his blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and 
 people, and nation, and has made us unto our God 
 kings and priests, blessing, and honor, and glory, 
 and power, to Him that sitteth on the throne, and 
 unto the Lamb forever and ever." 
 
 The End. 
 
APPENDIX 
 
 TO THE SECOND EDITION. 
 
 AFTER the preparation of my book for the 
 press, another violent outbreak of persecu- 
 tion against Protestantism occurred in Mexico. 
 The massacre of several Protestant Christians at 
 Acapulco shows that the spirit of Eomanism still 
 exists, and is ready to show its true colors when- 
 ever opportunities present. 
 
 It seems that the light of a pure Christianity 
 had commenced shedding its elevating influences 
 upon the hearts of some of the natives of that 
 dark region, which fact stirred up the enmity of 
 Rome into the determination to destroy the lives 
 of those earnest seekers of the true Gospel of sal- 
 vation. These enemies of human rights succeeded 
 ill their nefarious purposes as far as the destruction 
 of the lives of six or seven individuals was con- 
 cerned ; but the Truth still lives, and will yet 
 triumph over the graves of those martyred victims 
 of papal persecution. Slowly it may be, but 
 surely, a tree of righteousness will yet spring from 
 that soil drenched with the blood of those beloved 
 martyrs; and the persons who instigated tliis mur- 
 
 (201) 
 
202 APPENDIX. 
 
 derous plot will be compelled to hide themselves, 
 like the possessed demons of our Saviour's time, in 
 the depths of the fathomless sea. 
 
 The impression has been produced al)road that 
 religious freedom is but a name in Mexico, else 
 such outrages would not be committed. This im- 
 pression I would like to cori-ect, as my personal 
 knowledge of the sentiment prevailing among the 
 majority of the people of Mexico warrants the 
 belief that such tragic events are regarded with the 
 deepest regi-et, not only by the officers of the gov- 
 ernment, but by the peace-loving people, of whom 
 there are many in Mexico, notwithstanding the 
 many indications to the contrary. 
 
 Facts plainly show that the Mexican govern- 
 ment has waged a deadly warfare against papal 
 power. Where in any other country in which the 
 papacy has had undisputed sway, has there been a 
 more determined action than in Mexico ! Many 
 years ago the Church party was overthrown, and 
 the property wrested from the sacrilegious hands 
 of the priesthood and appropriated to the general 
 welfare of the people; and these despoiled spiritual 
 tyrants were compelled by the strong arm of the law 
 to seek their sustenance from the suffrages of the 
 people, instead of filling their coffers from the 
 public treasury as before. Their ecclesiastical 
 robes were commanded to be laid aside, and a 
 Catholic priest is not now recognized on the street 
 from any ordinary citizen. Religious processions 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 203 
 
 are forbidden under the severest penalty of the 
 law. Marriage service performed" by the clergy is 
 not regarded as legal, as that sacred institution had 
 been so much abused by them, that it was found 
 necessary to completely curtail their power, and 
 marriage by the civil law was enacted. 
 
 The monasteries were closed, and the buildings 
 appropriated to other purposes, and the monks were 
 obliged to seek asylums in countries more tolerant 
 to the Catholic religion than Mexico. More recently 
 it has been found necessary to suppress the order of 
 the Sisters of Charity and close the convents, and 
 Congress passed a law, during the past year, to that 
 effect. It has been looked upon by many persons 
 abroad, as being a most extraordinary act of the 
 Mexican Government, as the Sisters of Charity are 
 known to be a class of persons, who, in numerous 
 instances, are benefactors to suffering humanity. 
 The Government did not command the suspension 
 of their works of mercy, but recommended their 
 continuance in them, but ordered them to lay aside 
 their peculiar distinguishing garb, and assume that 
 worn by. other women in Mexico. But the dis- 
 comfited nuns, rather than give up their conceived 
 holy attire, have quit their country and sought 
 shelter in this and other countries, where the vest- 
 ments of Romanism are less obnoxious than they 
 are in Mexico. 
 
 Objections to the convents arose from their seclu- 
 sion, and because of their affording a rendezvous 
 
204 APPENDIX. 
 
 for parties of an exceedingly suspicious character. 
 These religious cloisters were subject to the undis- 
 puted control of the priests, among whom virtue is 
 not supposed to exist, in Mexico. For confirmation 
 of this supposition I will relate, in evidence, a fact 
 which came under my observation several years ago. 
 A gentleman who resided in one of the principal 
 towns on the Kio Grande, a merchant of extensive 
 business, informed me that he had a niece whom he 
 had wished to place in a Mexican convent, where 
 she might, with other attainments, become familiar 
 with the Spanish language. He made inquiries of 
 persons who had traveled extensively in Mexico, 
 and had enjoyed the means of becoming familiar 
 with the character of the convents, and through 
 these sources, which he ^believed to be reliable, he 
 had learned that scarcely " one o.ut of twenty girls " 
 who enter these secluded domains of popery, emerge 
 with purity of heart and character. 
 
 This gentleman, who was an intelligent Jew, said 
 he had no prejudices on account of their religion, as 
 to him, Catholicism stood on the same footing with 
 Protestantism ; but of the character of the nunneries 
 of Mexico, he had the most utter disrespect and horror. 
 
 It is my opinion that this gentleman labored 
 under no misapprehension, and that these pretended 
 educational institutions were exerting a demoralizing 
 influence which was felt in every department of 
 society. The Government could not fail to know 
 this, hence, the solution of this " extraordinary act." 
 
TWENTY YEAKS AMONG THE MEXICANS. 205 
 
 It is fully evident that the Mexican Government 
 is emerging, although by great tribulation, out of 
 desolations scarcely conceivable by those who have 
 no definite knowledge of the calamities which have 
 befallen the country through the baleful influence 
 of Roman Catholicism. The train of evils can not 
 be rectified at once, and perhaps not during the 
 present generation. The many sad aspects which 
 this unfortunate country exhibits from time to time 
 should be regarded with an eye of charity, and due 
 forbearance exercised toward the slow progress 
 which seems to be going on in Mexico, 
 
 The priests still exercise considerable control over 
 a portion of the ignorant masses. The wonder is, 
 with such subtle and determined foes, that Protest- 
 antism has gained the footing it has. So visibly 
 has divine power been exercised in the establish- 
 ment of a pure Christianity in Mexico, that we need 
 not doubt of its ultimate triumph. Thus far, and 
 no farther shall the enemy be permitted to prevail 
 in a cause, which is pre-eminently the Lord's cause. 
 The history of all Christian Missions presents the 
 same record as that of Mexico. The establishment 
 of Christ's kingdom in this world required a costly 
 sacrifice, and for the extension and perpetuity of this 
 kingdom, we should not shrink from any offering 
 which duty to Christ may demand. 
 
 Aside from the demoralizing influence of Roman- 
 ism, the Mexicans generally are a simple, inoffen- 
 sive people. Being a mixture of races, we find 
 
206 4.PPENDIX. 
 
 characteristics which scarcely exist in any other 
 nation of people. Probably the Indian element 
 predominates, as their habits correspond more with 
 that race J yet there are exhibited many distinctive 
 traits of Spanish character. Sometimes a very 
 favorable combination is observed, where the cool 
 blood of the Indian is happily blended with the hot 
 blood of the Spaniard. Mexicans are found of calcu- 
 lating minds with quick and ingenious penetration, 
 whom, if born and reared under other circumstances, 
 might have become lights in the world. 
 
 Juarez was a man of rare natural ability, and 
 notwithstanding the great disadvantages under 
 which he labored, he exhibited a moral and mental 
 character which would reflect honor on any country. 
 Even Santa Anna portrayed a great amount of 
 genius, although deficient in moral principle. Few 
 men of any nation are capable of exerting a more 
 extensive and powerful influence than this political 
 tyrant during his reign over Mexico. 
 
 While we find some leading minds in Mexico we 
 find the greater portion of the people passive under 
 the rule of their superiors. Unlike the North 
 American Indians, they are easily made subjects of 
 the will of others. Peonage, a species of slavery, 
 has prevailed from the earliest period, and still 
 exists, yet is gradually disappearing. Although a 
 species of slavery, it is voluntary, as the individual 
 sells himself for a sum of money, and engages to 
 work for the one to whom he sells himself until he 
 
TWliUTy YKAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 207 
 
 pays tiie debt. The wages are determined by the 
 man who pays the money, and he is careful to make 
 them so low that the poor ipan can never obtain 
 the means, above the support of his family for his 
 redemption ; consequently remains a peon for life, as 
 he can labor for no other master but the one to 
 whom he has obligated himself. Parents sometimes 
 dispose of their children in this unnatural manner, 
 in cases of extreme necessity. Soon after I went to 
 Monterey, I observed a boy on the street selling 
 confectionary, and my attention was attracted by 
 his stopping frequently, and looking in upon my 
 school through the grated windows. I sometimes 
 talked with him, and found him an intelligent boy 
 of about eleven years of age. He would say, that 
 he would like to go to school too, that he believed 
 he could learn his book as well as any others. I 
 made inquiry about this boy, and ascertained that 
 his father had sold him for seventeen dollars, and 
 that his owner was giving him a mavier (six cents) 
 a day for his services. 
 
 The bright appearance of the boy interested me, 
 and I made inquiries of his conduct, and became 
 satisfied of his hopeful character, and proposed to 
 his father, that if he would give me control of the 
 boy for five years, I would pay his redemption, take 
 him, clothe and educate him at my own expense. 
 He accepted the proposition, and Filemon became a 
 member of my family and a pupil in my school. 
 He manifested the deepest gratitude, and proved 
 
208 APPENDIX. 
 
 himself worthy of my confidence and affection. His 
 scholarship was highly gratifying, and when his 
 term of education had expired was capable of teach- 
 ing, and we put him in charge of one of our schools. 
 
 The Mexicans are susce^jtible of the strongest 
 friendsliips, and I have always found them true and 
 faithful as long as I reposed confidence in them. It 
 has rarely occurred that a Mexican has proved him- 
 self treacherous to me, although that characteristic 
 is often charged to the account of these people. 
 
 Women are treated with due consideration. If 
 any thing, woman holds 'the highest position in the 
 family, dispensing her will without opposition. The 
 wants of these people are few and simple, hence 
 there exists but little necessity for labor, and they 
 are, consequently, habitually indolent. The climate 
 contributes to this end ; as there being scarcely any 
 winter, they are under no necessity of preparing for 
 the future. Flocks and herds subsist on the mount- 
 ains and on the prairies with but little care, and 
 productions abound almost spontaneously, or with 
 but little actual labor, so that their food can easily 
 be obtained. The principal bread of the Mexicans 
 is the tortilla, a small cake, made somewhat like a 
 griddle cake, from corn, ground between two stones 
 by the women. Although there are mills where 
 wheat is made into flour, and corn might be ground 
 into meal, yet the natives prefer the primitive mode, 
 and the greater portion of the labor performed by 
 the women is grinding their corn and making tor- 
 
TWENTY YEAEfe AMONG THE MEXICANS. 209 
 
 tillas. Mexicans would consider their meal incom- 
 plete without this kind of bread, which, with frijoles 
 (a small bean), and meat highly seasoned with 
 pepper, garlics, and onions, constitutes the chief 
 living. Dishes are often prepared of a compound 
 of meat and vegetables, and gotten up in a manner 
 not to be despised by foreigners even. Their usual 
 manner of taking their meals is sitting on their 
 heels or on the floor, around the vessels in which 
 their food has been cooked, and taking their food in 
 their fingers, or when necessity requires they make 
 a sort of a spoon of their tortilla. This primitive 
 mode is generally practiced, yet among some of the 
 better class of Mexicans a more civilized style is 
 adopted. I do not believe, however, that a dozen 
 families can be found in Monterey who have a knife 
 or a fork in their houses for eating purposes. It is 
 only within a few years that chairs have been used, 
 and now are regarded in many houses as more for 
 ornament than for use. The wife of the Governor 
 said to me one day, "I get so tired sitting on a 
 chair, I have to sit down on the floor to rest 
 myself." 
 
 In many respects, the Mexicans are the true chil- 
 dren of nature, following only those habits which 
 inclination dictates. I have hesitated breaking into 
 their long established, customs, where I could see 
 no decided immorality growing out of them, lest 
 they might confound external improvements with 
 internal reformation of heart and character. Some 
 
210 APPENDIX. 
 
 change in dress, however, we have always insisted 
 on for church and school, as their mode was quite 
 too light and airy to comport with our ideas of pro- 
 priety. A ready compliance was always manifested 
 by the converts, and we never failed to urge a 
 change of habits in any respect where we thought 
 any moral principle was involved. 
 
 Family affection is a prominent trait of Mexican 
 character. Although domestic life has been subject 
 to vicissitudes which might have destroyed all family 
 ties, yet affection has bound those people together 
 ■where no other bond has'existed. Before religious 
 liberty was established, marriage was subject to the 
 clergy, and as these dignitaries of the church had 
 no object but a mercenary one, their fee for perform- 
 ing the ceremony was so exorbitant that but few of 
 the people were able to \aeet it, consequently, the 
 great majority of Mexican people who were living 
 together in the family relation, had never been 
 united by marriage. The evils which might have 
 grown out of this loose state of affairs were not as 
 disastrous as might have resulted, as most of those 
 who came together in this unscriptural manner, 
 remained faithful through life in all their duties 
 and relations. 
 
 The practice of the priests in this matter, so im- 
 portant to the well being of society, shows how much 
 they cared for the morals of their subjects, and were 
 it not a well know fact, would appear too perfectly 
 absurd to be credited. I have heard of somewhat 
 
TWENTY YEAES AMONG THE MEXICANS. 211 
 
 an amusing incident related of one priest who 
 demanded only a donkey for performing the mar- 
 riage service, and as every Mexican is able to own a 
 donkey, the priest was thronged with applicants for 
 marriage, until his enclosures became filled with 
 these humble animals. Providence favored this 
 benevolent priest by making it necessary to draw 
 water from a distance to supply the town, and he 
 was enabled to turn his donkeys to profitable ac- 
 count. 
 
 This animal abounds in Mexico, even the beggars 
 ride on donkeys as they go from door to door on the 
 days which the law allows. Begging is so common 
 in Mexico that it has to be restricted to a certain 
 day of the week, and on that day the streets are 
 thronged, and the donors generally have their gifts 
 prepared, as long prayers are repeated, and often 
 exceedingly annoying, so the sooner the beggar is 
 disposed of the better. 
 
 Although there are many sad exhibitions of 
 Mexican character, nevertheless, there are found 
 many redeeming ones. Moving about among these 
 people for twenty years, I have felt a consciousness 
 of safety which was produced by the impression 
 which I instinctively entertained, that a Mexican 
 would never harm a lady. I have lived often 
 entirely alone in my house, and yet without any 
 fear. Time and again, have I traveled without any 
 other protection than Mexicans, and frequently have 
 been obliged to sleep in Mexican houses, surrounded 
 
212 APPENDIX. 
 
 by people of whom I knew nothing, yet, strange as 
 it may seem, I committed myself to quiet rest, 
 because I knew my faithful guard, the proprietor of 
 the stage, would watch that no harm came near me, 
 taking his position for rest, where he might be sure 
 that his charge should be unmolested. 
 
 Mexicans have a chivalrous respect for woman, 
 and an estimation, I have often thought, nearly 
 allied to a sacred reverence. Their deity is a 
 woman ; the people generally have no higher con- 
 ception of a Divinity than the Virgin Mary, and I 
 fully believe they dare not treat a woman otherwise 
 than respectfully, lest they offend their dearly loved 
 Madonna. It is not unfrequently the case, that gen- 
 tlemen traveling with money or under other danger- 
 ous circumstances, avail themselves of the company of 
 ladies, knowing that the worst class of Mexicans are 
 awed by the presence of a lady. During revolu- 
 tions, men who have wives are secure from being 
 drafted for the army while by their side, as the 
 officer would not so insult a lady, as to execute his 
 commission upon her husband in her presence. 
 Hence, during those fearful times, a man is rarely 
 seen outside his home, or if obliged to go out on the 
 street, he is quite sure to keep his better half at his 
 side. 
 
 It is generally conceded that the civilization of a 
 country can be measured by the estimation in which 
 woman is held, and the natural inference would be 
 that Mexico had arrived at a much higher degree 
 
TWENTY YEARS AMONS THE MEXICANS. 213 
 
 of civilization than facts clearly show. We can not 
 tell how far this chivalrous sentiment has served to 
 mollify Mexican character, nor what degree of bar- 
 barism might have prevailed among a people of such 
 unfortunate birth and education. 
 
 In my missionary labor among the Mexicans, I 
 have experienced very great advantages from this 
 prevailing sentiment. Much surprise has been ex- 
 pressed at my audacity in planting Protestant in- 
 stitutions right in the teeth of Eomanism, particu- 
 larly at Monterey, in the very heart of Popery, and 
 at so early a period that religious liberty among 
 many was scarcely realized to be a fact. The 
 priests, no doubt, watched with jealous eye this 
 singular invasion of their sacred territory ; yet what 
 could they do, a woman was at the bottom of the 
 mischief, and how could they lay violent hands on 
 her/ Protestantism and the. Bible gained a firm 
 footing in Mexico, and the persecuting hand of 
 Romanism was stayed. I would not presume to 
 say that it was the wisdom of God to put a woman 
 in the front ranks of Protestantism in Mexico, but 
 I do say that a woman has stood firmly on ground 
 of which a man would have been dispossessed, and 
 perhaps with the loss of his life. 
 
 It is of little importance comparatively by whose 
 instrumentality a pure Christianity has acquired a 
 permanent footing in Mexico, but it is a matter of 
 great importance and of joyful exultation, that the 
 true Light is now emanating from many parts of 
 
214 APPENDIX. 
 
 Papal Mexico, and shedding its purifying influences 
 upon the hearts of thousands of its benighted people. 
 I fully believe, that if the American churches do 
 their duty as God's Providence seems to be pointing 
 out, not many years will elapse before Mexico takes 
 her place among the evangelized nations of the earth. 
 What, though revolutions may prevail in Mexico, 
 and though an uprising might convulse the country 
 from one extremity to the other, to-morrow, we need 
 not be surprised nor discouraged ! These convul- 
 sions are the upheaving of public sentiment which 
 needs purifying; and, no doubt, will come out of 
 these fires, elevated and refined. I would say to 
 Protestant Christians, stand ready with your Bibles 
 and other printed truth, to apply those leaves which 
 are for the healing of the nations when the turbu- 
 lent waves become assuaged. Christ is bidding us 
 take that laud for Him, and shall we hesitate to go 
 forward, even at the risk of life, in a battle which 
 our glorious Captain has waged against papal 
 arrogance and usurpation ? Faith already plants 
 the standard of victory upon the scene of conflict, 
 and although some brave heroes may fall on the 
 field of battle, yet victory is sure to triumph in the 
 end, for the asseveration of the Almighty has gone 
 forth, " unto Me, every knee shall bow, and every 
 tongue shall confess."