BV 2853 . B6 B5 
 Blackford, A. L. 
 
 Sketch of the Brazil mission 
 
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 THE 
 
 
 SKETCH 
 
 OP 
 
 BRAZIL MISSION 
 
 BY 
 
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 REV. A. L. BLACKFORD. 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2016 
 
 https://archive.org/details/sketchofbrazilmiOOblac 
 
THE BRAZIL MISSION. 
 
 REV. A. L. M.ACKFORD. 
 
 The Empire of Brazil occupies the eastern part of the continent of South 
 America. It extends from latitude 4 0 north to 33 0 south of the Equator ; 
 and from longitude 35 0 to 72 0 or 73 0 west from Greenwich. Its territory 
 embraces about two-fifths of the area of South America ; and is perhaps a 
 little larger than the United States and all her territories, with the exception 
 of Alaska. 
 
 The greater part of the Empire lies within the torrid zone ; since only a 
 small part of the Province of S. Paulo and the Provinces of Parana, 
 S. Catharina, and S. Pedro do Rio Grande do Sul are south of the Tropic of 
 Capricorn. 
 
 The valleys of the Amazon river and its tributaries occupy the northern 
 part of the Empire. That immense river — the largest in the world — rises 
 amongst the Andes Mountains, far away towards the western coast of South 
 America ; and after running more than 2,000 miles, almost due east, through 
 Brazilian territory, empties into the Atlantic Ocean immediately under the 
 Equator. It is 150 miles wide at its mouth. 
 
 The water-shed of the south-western part of the Empire flows into the 
 La Platte river, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean at 35 0 south latitude. 
 
 These two great rivers and their tributaries afford an immense extent of in- 
 land navigation. Most of the territory, however, thus rendered accessible is 
 as yet very sparsely populated. 
 
 Save a comparatively narrow belt along the coast and the valleys of the 
 great rivers above named, Brazil is occupied mainly by an elevated table-land, 
 which is mostly well watered and very fertile. God has endowed that land 
 with yet uncalculated natural resources, and has undoubtedly destined it to be 
 the home of immedse millions of men, who in some future epoch will constitute 
 a powerful and prosperous nation. Its geographical position renders it 
 remarkably easy of access from the United States and Europe and other grow- 
 ing portions of the world, and is hence favorable to its present rapid develop- 
 ment, and will in the future greatly enhance its influence. The climate 
 of Brazil is varied, and on the whole very favorable. Being on the eastern 
 side of the continent, it is milder and more healthy, even on the coast, than 
 the corresponding latitudes on the west coast of Africa, which lies just opposite, 
 across the South Atlantic Ocean. The northern parts are always warm ; yet 
 the natives there prefer the climate there to that of even Rio de Janeiro, 
 where the variation is quite sensible, though not very great. The part which 
 lies in the south temperate zone enjoys a delightful climate, will produce the 
 grains, fruits, etc., of the north temperate zone, and is well suited for 
 emigrants from the North of Europe. 
 
 The mineral resources of Brazil are unquestionably very great, but so far un- 
 
4 
 
 improved to any useful extent, save precious stones and gold. The conditions 
 for sustaining an immense population everywhere abound when once properly 
 developed and improved. It has been computed that the territory of Brazil 
 could sustain a population equal to that of China, which is reckoned 
 at 400,000,000. 
 
 The principal exports from the products of its soil are sugar, cotton, and 
 coffee, and some others of less value. More than half the coffee produced in 
 the world is said to be grown in Brazil ; the largest portion of which is shipped 
 to the United States. 
 
 Except near the coast, the more populous and better cultivated parts of the 
 country were, until within a few years, chiefly dependent on the mule as a 
 means of travel and transport ; a circumstance which greatly hindered its 
 development. Now, however, there are important railroads from several ports 
 into the interior. The extension of some of these, and other roads in various- 
 parts, are under construction or in project. The effect is already manifest and 
 happy in greatly accelerating the progress, social and moral as well as material, 
 of the regions where they exist. 
 
 The present population of the country is reckoned in round numbers at 
 10,000,000. It includes Europeans and their descendants, the aboriginal 
 tribes, and negroes, who were brought over as slaves from Africa, together 
 with their descendants. In many parts there is a large intermixture amongst 
 these different races. 
 
 Brazil was discovered about a.d. 1500, and was soon after taken possession 
 of by the Portuguese, and continued to be a colony of Portugal till 1822, when 
 it was declared independent, under the title of the Empire of Brazil. It is at 
 present divided into twenty provinces. 
 
 The government is a Constitutional Monarchy. The Legislative Assembly 
 consists of a senate and chamber of deputies ; the senators are chosen for 
 life ; the deputies are elected every four years. The cabinet is chosen by the 
 Emperor, and its ministers hold their office and govern by the will of the 
 crown, subject to the confidence of the lower house, as in England. 
 
 Portugal held constant dominion in Brazil from the time of first taking pos- 
 session till the date of her independence, in 1822 ; interrupted at times by 
 efforts of other European powers, and especially the Dutch, to establish them- 
 selves in certain localities within her territory. 
 
 The white population of Brazil is chiefly of Portuguese extraction ; and 
 hence the Portuguese element prevails in the institutions of the country, in the 
 customs and habits of the people, and in every department of life. The 
 civilization, though less advanced than in the more favored portions of Europe 
 and the United States, is still European. 
 
 The language of the country is the Portuguese, a sister language to the 
 Spanish, but clearly a distinct language. It is a beautiful language, and has 
 been appropriately styled the eldest daughter of the Latin. It is compact, ex- 
 pressive, flexible, and well-adapted for oratory and literature. 
 
5 
 
 Owing to the illiberal and ignoble policy which Portugal pursued towards 
 Tier colonies, Brazil was, during nearly the whole of her colonial history, almost 
 as effectually shut out from intercourse with other nations as were China and 
 Japan during the same period. All the trade was jealously kept in the hands 
 of the mother-country ; and not until the seat of government was transferred 
 to Rio de Janeiro, near the beginning of the present century, were her ports 
 open to the trade of other nations. 
 
 With the exception of perhaps one or two unsuccessful attempts, there was 
 no Printing Press established in the country till after 1808, when a small one 
 was set up under Court control. Of late years great advance has been made 
 in this respect, and especially in the publication of newspapers in all parts of 
 the country. Literature is also beginning to receive considerable attention. 
 The press is absolutely free. Journals and books of every description can be 
 published without an)’ previous license. 
 
 In 1822 the independence of the country was proclaimed by the son of the 
 King of Portugal, who was acting as prince-regent. He assumed the title of 
 Pedro I., Emperor of Brazil ; and in 1824 gave the country a constitution, 
 which in its main features has been considered liberal. In 1831 he abdicated 
 in favor of his son, now Dom Pedro II., who was at that time only five years 
 old. The government was by regents from that date till 1840, when the Em- 
 peror’S majority was proclaimed, although he was but fourteen years of age. 
 Dom Pedro II., after a reign of 36 years in his own right, still occupies the 
 throne, and is yet ip the prime of life. He is a man of intelligence, of very 
 extensive acquirements, and of great activity and industry. His visit to this 
 country, from April to July of this year, will be remembered by all. It is 
 hoped the impressions he has carried away of our land may be as favorable as 
 those his visit has made here in regard to himself. 
 
 The 5th Article of the Constitution of Brazil reads as follows : “ The Roman 
 Catholic shall continue to be the established religion of the State ; all other 
 religions shall, however, be tolerated with their special worship in private 
 houses, and in houses designated for this purpose, without the exterior form of 
 a temple.” The courts have decided that the phrase, “ without the exterior 
 form of a temple,” means that non-Roman Catholic churches cannot have 
 steeples or bells on them. 
 
 ROMANISM AND ITS HOLD UPON THE PEOPI.E. 
 
 Romanism was inherited by Brazil from the mother-country. It has held 
 almost undisputed sway there for over three centuries. It is but fair, there- 
 fore, to infer that the system has brought forth its legitimate fruits in that great 
 and beautiful land. The moral results have been graphically described by the 
 Apostle Paul in the last twelve verses of the Epistle to the Romans. Not one 
 word of that tremendous indictment need be changed in relation to Brazil, 
 and doubtless the same thing is true in relation to all countries where Roman- 
 ism prevails. 
 
6 
 
 It is amazing to hear men who have access to the Word of God, and the 
 facts of history, and of the actual state of the world, attempt to apologize for 
 or even defend Romanism. Romanism is not Christianity. It is rather the 
 negation of all that is distinctive in Christianity. It is the great apostasy, 
 the Anti-Christ, the master-piece of the Great Enemy of God and man, for the 
 destruction of souls and of the welfare of human society. There is not an es- 
 sential truth of the Christian religion which is not distorted, covered up, 
 neutralized, poisoned, and completely nullified by the doctrines and practices 
 of the Romish system. 
 
 Aside from the fearful corruptions in morals which the system everywhere 
 engenders, and which will not bear recital here, a few of its dire results may 
 be mentioned, as follows : The most debasing ignorance and superstition per- 
 
 vade the minds of the masses. The religious sentiment in man, if not 
 nurtured and directed by the truths of Divine Revelation, will be overrun by 
 the most degrading and ridiculous superstitions. Rome everywhere seeks 
 with jealous care to hide the Word of God from the people. The result in- 
 tended is secured : — that abjection of spirit and superstitious faith, which 
 engender fanaticism and render the ignorant the ready tools of priestcraft. 
 
 On the other hand, the intelligent, educated, and thinking classes are driven 
 into unbelief and indifference. It is so in Brazil. The unlettered classes are 
 grossly superstitious and idolatrous. As a general thing, intelligent men who 
 have any claim or make any pretensions to education, do not hesitate to 
 declare their disbelief in many, if not all, of the doctrines of the religion they 
 have been taught. If any such profess a full belief in their system, their 
 sincerity is at once questioned. This is the natural and inevitable result. No 
 man, in the proper exercise of the intellect with which God has endowed him, 
 can intelligently and sincerely accept the teachings and practices of Rome as 
 a religious system emanating from a just, holy, and wise God. In such cases 
 men without a knowledge of the truths of the Bible, naturally seek refuge in 
 rationalism and infidelity, and not a few are driven into absolute atheism. 
 
 Popery has, however, demoralized itself in Brazil. There is in general very 
 little attachment to the Romish system as such. If the Pope should disappear 
 to-morrow and his place should never again be filled, it would make very little 
 difference to the great majority of Brazilians, so far as their religious belief, 
 sentiments, and practices are concerned. The priests are, in general, ignorant 
 and immoral, and frequently avaricious and exacting, and, as a consequence, 
 are, in most parts, heartily despised. For a number of years past their influ- 
 ence has been rapidly waning in the more intelligent communities and amongst 
 the better classes. 
 
 In 1873, the bishops of Pernambuco and of Para, the two most talented, 
 learned, active, and zealous prelates of the Empire, undertook to enforce, in 
 their dioceses, the papal bulls against secret societies. This attempt met with 
 a determined resistance, which involved the said bishops in a conflict with 
 the civil power in regard to the extent of their several prerogatives. The con- 
 
1 
 
 flict culminated in 1874, when, by order of the Imperial Government, the 
 bishops were arrested, tried by the Supreme Court, and condemned to four 
 years’ imprisonment with hard labor, for disobedience on their part to an order 
 of the civil authorities. The sentence was at once commuted to simple im- 
 prisonment, without labor; and in September, 1875, after having served out 
 something over one year of their term of sentence, they were released on a gen- 
 eral amnesty decreed by the Government. At last dates the contest had been 
 renewed by an Encyclical from the Pope ordaining that the entire Episcopate 
 of Brazil assume the same attitude for which the Bishops of Pernambuco and 
 Para were prosecuted. 
 
 The fruits of Romanism are seen not only in the moral debasement, but in 
 the backward state of mental and social culture and of material progress. The 
 superiority of Protestant nations in these respects does not result from the 
 difference of race, but from the difference in their religion ; it is the effect of 
 the power of the truth of God’s Word on the intellects and hearts of men, and 
 its consequent bearing and influence on their conduct and social institutions. 
 
 Ten millions of souls in Brazil are in as urgent need of the Gospel as are 
 the pagans of China, India, or Africa ; and, as we shall see, are in an extra 
 ordinary degree prepared to receive it ; yea, more, are urgently beseeching 
 that it may be sent to them. 
 
 What has been done to meet this want ? 
 
 EARLY ATTEMPTS AT EVANGELIZATION. 
 
 It is a deeply interesting fact that the very first effort of the Christian Church 
 after the Reformation to engage in Foreign Missions, was that of the church at 
 Geneva to send the Gospel to the inhabitants of Brazil. Coligny, the great 
 French Huguenot, and other friends of the truth, conceived the idea of estab- 
 lishing a Protestant colony in South America as a place of refuge for their per- 
 secuted brethren, who were the victims of Papal fury in Europe. In 1555, an 
 expedition consisting of three small vessels, under the command of one Ville- 
 gagnon, a distinguished French naval officer, sailed from Havre de Grace, to 
 what is now the harbor of Rio de Janeiro, where they established themselves 
 on an island, called to this day Villegagnon, in honor of the leader and, as he 
 afterwards proved to be, treacherous destroyer of this expedition. Their joyous 
 reception by the natives, who were at war with the Portuguese, and other cir- 
 cumstances, seemed to warrant high hopes of success. 
 
 On the return of the vessels to Europe, great interest was awakened for the 
 establishment of the reformed religion in those remote parts ; and the church at 
 Geneva, under Calvin and his colleagues, sent two ministers and fourteen 
 students to accompany the second expedition. Soon, however, after these 
 new colonists reached their destination, the real and villainous character of 
 Villegagnon revealed itself in a series of annoyances and persecutions against 
 the faithful Huguenots, who having gone thither with the hope of enjoying 
 full liberty of conscience, found their condition worse than before. The pre- 
 
8 
 
 mature ruin of the colony was soon consummated. Many of the colonists 
 returned to Europe. Of those who remained three were put to death by their 
 infamous persecutor, and others fled to the Indians and Portuguese. Amongst 
 the latter was one named John Boles, who is noted, even in the annals of the 
 Jesuits, as a man of considerable learning, being well versed in both Greek and 
 Hebrew. Escaping from Villegagnon, John I^oles went to St. Vincente, near 
 the present site of Santos, the chief seaport of the Province of S. Paulo, the 
 earliest Portuguese settlement in that part of the country, and where the Jesuits 
 had a colony of Indians catechised according to their mode. According to 
 the Jesuit Chroniclers themselves, the Huguenot minister preached with such 
 boldness, eloquence, and erudition that he was likely to pervert, as they term 
 it, great numbers of their . adepts. Unable to withstand him by arguments, 
 they resorted to Rome’s ever-favorite reasoning, and caused him to be arrested 
 with several of his companions. John Boles was taken to Bahia, about a 
 thousand miles distant, where he lay in prison eight years. When, in 1567, the 
 Portuguese finally succeeded in expelling the Erench from that part of their 
 dominions, the Governor, Mem de Sa, sent for.the Huguenot prisoner and had 
 him put to death on the present site of the city of Rio de Janeiro, in order, it 
 was said, to terrify his countrymen, if any of them should be lurking in those 
 parts. The Jesuits boast that Anchieta, their great apostle in Brazil, succeeded 
 in winning the heretic to the Papal faith on the eve of his execution ; and then 
 helped the hangman to dispatch him as quickly as possible, so as to hurry him 
 off to glory before he could have time to recant. This is, doubtless, a grave 
 injustice to that heroic witness for the truth, invented for the double purpose 
 of staining his memory, and shielding and exalting their own order. 
 
 The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church. The blood of John 
 Boles and his faithful fellow-servants, who were there slain for the testimony of 
 Jesus, has been crying to God from those shores for over three hundred years ; 
 crying, not for vengeance on their persecutors, but for mercy to their descend- 
 ants ; that cry comes still to-day to the descendants of the Huguenots in this 
 land, and to all who, by the grace of God, have obtained a like precious faith, 
 beseeching them to carry the light of the Gospel to that beautiful land, over 
 which the darkness of Romanism has hung like the shadow of death for three 
 centuries. Would to God a double portion of that lonely martyr’s spirit might 
 fall on many who call themselves servants of the same Jesus for whose sake 
 John Boles counted not his life dear unto him. 
 
 The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church ; and the seed thus sown, 
 amidst the storms of man’s savage wrath, in the rank wilds of South America, 
 though it lay long hidden, or was even trodden down, was not lost. We have 
 seen it bud and bring forth fruit. A rich harvest of grand results awaits the 
 watering and the ingathering. 
 
 The Dutch attempted to establish themselves at different points in the 
 northern part of the country, from Bahia to Maranham, during more or less of 
 the second quarter of the seventeenth century. Godly pastors accompanied 
 
9 
 
 their expeditions and preached a pure Gospel in their settlements. But this 
 can hardly be classed as missionary effort for the permanent dwellers of the 
 land; and all trace of their labors seems to have passed away with the lan- 
 guage and authority of the bold invaders, except the mention by Southey, in his 
 u History of Brazil,” that they had prepared a catechism in the language of the 
 Indians, whom they catechised, and other books of an evangelical character in 
 Portuguese. 
 
 RECENT EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS. 
 
 To tiie Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States belongs the honor 
 of the first attempt to plant the Gospel in Brazil, in modern times. In 1836, 
 the Rev. Mr. Spaulding went to Rio de Janeiro as a missionary of that Church. 
 The Rev. D. P. Kidder joined him in 1838. The death of his wife compelled 
 Dr. Kidder to return home in 1840. The financial pressure of those times 
 led to the abandonment of the Mission, and Mr. Spaulding returned in 1842. 
 
 It is impossible in this sketch to give any details of the work of these breth- 
 ren. Their labors seem to have been earnest and abundant for the American 
 and English residents in Rio de Janeiro and the seamen visiting the harbor, 
 whilst engaged in studying the language, preparatory to more direct missionary 
 work. They, I believe, never established a regular service of worship and 
 preaching in the Portuguese tongue. They aided in circulating large numbers 
 of copies of the Scriptures ; Dr. Kidder traveling extensively, mainly, I believe, 
 for this purpose. His published “ Sketches of Residence and Travels in Bra- 
 zil,” afterwards merged into “ Brazil and the Brazilians,” by Kidder and 
 Fletcher, are very valuable. The full results of that Mission are recorded on 
 high, but will hardly otherwise be clearly revealed. 
 
 Many copies of the Scriptures had been circulated in different parts of Bra- 
 zil, even prior to the residence of Messrs. Spaulding and Kidder in Rio, 
 through various agencies employed by the American and British and Foreign 
 Bible Societies. These Societies have continued their efforts, with some inter- 
 ruptions, during subsequent years, and still offer the most generous co-opera- 
 tion in the great work in that land. 
 
 Dr. Kalley, a pious Scotch physician, well known through his successful 
 labors in Madeira in 1842 to 1846, went to Rio de Janeiro about 1854 or 
 1855, and has ever since maintained, in his own way and on his own account, 
 a work of some importance there. He has had a church at Rio de Janeiro for 
 some years past, and some preaching stations in the suburbs ; and about two 
 years ago he organized a small church in Pernambuco. He has no ecclesiasti- 
 cal relations with any branch of the Church of Christ. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church South sent out a minister the end of last 
 year, with a view of opening a mission in the Province of S. Paulo, whither a 
 few members of that church emigrated some years ago. 
 
 Except the above-named, the Presbyterian churches of the United States 
 -are the only ones at present occupied in active missionary efforts in Brazil. 
 
 The first missionary of our Church, the Rev. A. G. Simonton, landed at Rio 
 
10 
 
 de Janeiro in August, 1859. The writer of this sketch, with his wife, joined 
 him there in July, i860. After acquiring the language so as to use it with 
 some facility, Mr. Simonton opened a place for preaching in Portuguese in 
 May, 1861. It was a small room in the third story of a house in one of the 
 narrow central streets of that great city. His first audience consisted of two 
 men to whom he had been giving instruction in English. They attended as 
 an act of courtesy to their teacher. They were interested, and at the next 
 meeting brought a companion with them. At a third meeting half a dozen 
 were present ; and thus for some time the number gradually increased ; in 
 fine, the work has gone steadily on from that day to this. 
 
 CHURCHES ORGANIZED. 
 
 In January, 1862, Mr. Simonton organized the first Presbyterian church 
 of Rio de Janeiro, or, indeed, of the Empire. At this first communion two 
 persons were received on profession of their faith. One of them was one of 
 the two attendants at the first Portuguese service ; the other was an American 
 merchant from New York, whose conversion was the result of Mr. Simonton’ s 
 labors. Thenceforward the power of the Spirit accompanied and sealed 
 the preaching of the Word. The work has been steady and quiet ; no special 
 outward demonstrations ; but there have been constantly in our congregations 
 souls earnestly inquiring the way of life ; and very seldom have any of our 
 regular monthly communions passed without some one or more publicly 
 confessing the name of Christ. (Jp to the end of 1875 more than two hun- 
 dred persons had been received on profession of their faith to membership in 
 the church of Rio de Janeiro, nearly all of them being converts from Roman- 
 ism, or the infidelity and indifference into which Romanism drives thinking men. 
 
 We have now, in one of the most central localities in the city, a neat stone 
 edifice, which will seat comfortably six hundred persons. On the same prem- 
 ises, held by the Presbytery of Rio de Janeiro, there is a lecture-room, school- 
 room, book-store, and a dwelling for one mission family. Besides the regular 
 services in the church building, preaching services and prayer-meetings are 
 held regularly, and occasionally in the various suburbs of the city, which have 
 given encouraging fruits. Besides copies of the Scriptures, a large number of 
 books and tracts are annually put in circulation through the agency of the 
 book-store ; and a good many of these find their way to distant towns and 
 places. Since 1864 a semi-monthly journal, called the Imprensa Evangelica, 
 has been regularly published at Rio de Janeiro. It has exerted a wide and 
 powerful influence for good, and carried the glad tidings to many places, which 
 no other known means at our disposal could have done. 
 
 In October, 1863, by direction of the Board, Sao Paulo was occupied as a 
 mission station. It is a city of about 25,000 inhabitants, capital of the prov- 
 ince of the same name, and seat of one of the national universities or law- 
 schools. Whilst in some respects one of the most difficult fields for evangelis- 
 tic work in the whole country, it is, perhaps, second to no other in importance,.. 
 
11 
 
 after the capital of the Empire. It has been wisely chosen by the Mission as 
 the seat of their training-school for native ministers and teachers. It is a 
 centre of influence whence the power of the Gospel may radiate, not only 
 through the province, but throughout the land. 
 
 The preaching of the Word in that city, where infidelity and corruption so 
 ■ alarmingly prevail, by the blessing of God early gave fruit. A church was or- 
 ganized in February, 1865, when several converts were received on profession 
 of their faith. 
 
 Though the progress of the work there has been less rapid, and for a time 
 was less steady, than in some other places, it has become firmly rooted and is 
 a great power for good. The number received to its membership since the 
 beginning is considerably over one hundred. A noticeable fact is the great 
 number of its members who have removed to other places, often carrying the 
 blessing with them. Four of the first who there professed their faith are now 
 ordained ministers, and of those received at a later date two or three are study- 
 ing as candidates. A flourishing day-school for boys and girls has existed for 
 several years in connection with this church. 
 
 A building has just been erected in an excellent location for the use of the 
 Mission there, which furnishes a preaching-hall, school-rooms for the day- 
 school, and present accommodations for the theological and training depart- 
 ment. The funds for this purpose, so far as yet obtained, have been mainly 
 secured through the indefatigable exertions of Brother Chamberlain, who has 
 had to contend with difficulties which would have disheartened most men. 
 The first funds toward this object were appropriated by the Memorial Fund 
 Committee in 1872. Contributions from the native members of the church in 
 S. Paulo and some personal friends of Mr. Chamberlain among the foreign res- 
 idents swelled the sum to about five thousand dollars, with which ground and 
 material were purchased in 1875. Ten thousand dollars have since been sub- 
 scribed in this country. The thousand or two lacking to complete the build- 
 ing, it is hoped will come in from those interested. A subscription of three 
 thousand toward a permanent fund has been made by a generous friend of the 
 cause, and two of $350 annually toward the support of an additional pro- 
 fessor. 
 
 S. Paulo has been, and should still be made the centre of influence for a 
 vast itinerating work, which will give great direct and future results. Schools 
 are indispensable wherever churches are planted. The adult population is ac- 
 cessible to the Gospel almost everywhere, if not everywhere. Through them 
 the rising generation can be more easily reached, and to more purpose. The 
 preaching of the Gospel is the divinely ordained means for saving souls 
 and establishing His kingdom amongst men. This the Lord confirmed 
 unto us by experience very early in the history of the Mission-work in 
 S. Paulo. Toward the end of 1863, and during 1864, a few tracts and books, 
 and a very few copies of the Scriptures, had been circulated by the Rev. J. M. 
 da Conceicao, a former vicar of the parish in the district of Biotas, a rude 
 
12 
 
 agricultural neighborhood 1 70 miles from the capital. After repeated and ur- 
 gent calls to go and preach to them, they were visited in February, and again 
 about April, 1865. It was a tedious and laborious journey on horseback or 
 muleback, over rough roads and sometimes through mere bridle-paths. The 
 mode of work was to go from neighborhood to neighborhood and from house to 
 house, preaching, reading, and expounding the Bible. The Spirit of God had 
 been there preparing the way, and was present to seal His Word on the hearts 
 of men. The truth took deep hold on those rustic, but intelligent minds. 
 Desperadoes, who had been the terror of their neighborhoods, sat meekly at 
 the feet of Jesus ; men and families who had sunk very low in ignorance and 
 corruption were saved and lifted up. In November of the same year, 1865, 
 a church was organized there, consisting of eleven converts from Rome, who 
 were baptized into the name of Christ. The meeting at which that church 
 was organized, was held in a shantee, made by planting poles or rails in the 
 ground and covering it over with grass. 
 
 Rev. R. Lenington went to reside at Brotas toward the end of 1868, up to 
 which time there had been no settled pastor or resident missionary amongst 
 them, yet the church had grown in three years from eleven to over seventy 
 members. Two or three visits had been yearly made to them by the mission- 
 aries at S. Paulo ; but much of the result seen was from the reading of the 
 Word, and the labors of the converts themselves. Naturally intelligent, shrewd, 
 and active, many of those unlettered men, with the Word of God in their 
 hands, have become a power for good in their respective neighborhoods. That 
 one little church, planted in the wilderness in 1865, had grown in 1875 ^ nto 
 five churches, extending from Rio Claro, 50 miles to the eastward of Brotas, to 
 Rio Novo, 120 miles further into the backwoods on the south-west, with a lat- 
 itude of 40 to 50 miles from north to south. This vast field, with its five 
 churches and other interesting and important points around, is occupied by 
 Rev. J. F. Dagama, who resides at Rio Claro, and Rev. A. B. Trajano, one 
 of the young ministers educated by the Mission, who resides at Brotas. 
 
 At Rio Claro there is a large day-school. At Brotas, and at several points 
 within the bounds of that congregation, also at Rio Novo, and perhaps some 
 other places, schools have been organized, and some of them successfully 
 maintained for several years ; some of them already chiefly self-sustaining. 
 The Mission has a house in the village of Brotas, which serves for a dwelling, 
 school-room, and preaching-hall. At Alto da Serra, within the bounds of the 
 Brotas congregation, although 20 miles distant, the people erected a house, a 
 primitive structure, it is true, to serve for a church and school-house, and also 
 a dwelling for their teacher. The same is true of Rio Novo. 
 
 In some places they have night-schools for the adults ; and in some cases, 
 old men have diligently set themselves to learn to read in order that they may 
 be able to read the Bible for themselves and to others. 
 
 Many of those who embraced the Gospel around Brotas had removed from 
 the neighboring province of Minas Geraes, a distance of from one to two 
 
13 
 
 hundred miles. Through them the truth was carried thither to their friends 
 and families who remained behind. And there we have to-day church organi- 
 zations at Borda da Matta, Caldas, and Machado. The Rev. M. G. Torres, 
 himself one of the fruits of our mission, ministers to these churches, besides 
 visiting and preaching as he can at many other points. 
 
 At Sorocaba, 60 miles west of S. Paulo, there is a church and school. It 
 is the natural centre of a large field. Mr. Leite, the licentiate, resides and 
 labors there. 
 
 At I.orena, about mid-way between Rio de Janeiro and S. Paulo, a church 
 has been organized since 1868; and 12 miles distant another church was or- 
 ganized in 1874. These churches are for the present vacant, but are visited 
 occasionally by the brethren at Rio de Janeiro. Lorena is the centre of an 
 exceedingly inviting and important field of labor. 
 
 Rev. F. J. C. Schneider occupied Bahia as a Mission station in 1871. Bahia 
 is a large city of about 200,000 inhabitants, situated in 13 0 S. lat. No place can 
 need the Gospel more, and it should be steadily occupied. It is, however, an 
 exceedingly difficult field, and the progress of the work is slow. Yet some 
 fruit has been gathered in. 
 
 Cachoeira, some 50 or 60 miles from Bahia, was occupied as a Mission sta- 
 tion by Bro. Houston the beginning of 1875, and a church was organized the 
 same year. The prospect is said to be encouraging. 
 
 It should have been mentioned above that Rio de Janeiro, besides a popu- 
 lation of 300,000 or more in the city proper, gives easy access to several other 
 important towns. Just across the bay lies the city of Praia Grande, capital of 
 the province of Rio de Janeiro, with a large population. Campos, 150 miles 
 distant, occupied last November by the Rev. M. P. B. de Carvalhosa, is a city 
 of 20,000 souls, and has easy access toother important towns. At Petropolis, 
 the summer seat of the Court, and one of the most important summer resorts, 
 we have a small church organization. It would be too tedious to name ail the 
 important places accessible from this great centre. 
 
 In 1869, Messrs. Lane and Morton, of the Southern Presbyterian Church, 
 occupied Campinas, in the Province of S. Paulo, and about seventy miles 
 north-west of the capital, as a mission station. It is a town of perhaps 10,000 
 souls, and was well chosen as a centre for successful operations. Their labors 
 have been greatly blessed. They have a church at Campinas, and another at 
 Penha, some fifty or sixty miles distant ; and encouraging preaching stations 
 at other points. What they consider, in some respects at least, their most 
 important work at that point, is a large boarding-school, which they have 
 inaugurated with great labor, and which has been in successful operation now 
 for about two years. They had at one time about one hundred and fifty pupils, 
 chiefly from Roman Catholic families. Religious instruction, boldly evangeli- 
 cal, is a definite feature of their teaching. Their Mission at that station has 
 been reinforced by the Rev. Mr. Boyle and several teachers sent from , this 
 country. 
 
14 
 
 The Southern Church also occupied as a mission station, earl)- in 1873, the 
 city of Pernambuco, situated in 8° south latitude. It is the third city in size 
 in the Empire, and perhaps the second in importance. It claims about 150,000 
 inhabitants. It is the capital of the province, seat of one of the national uni- 
 versities or law-schools, and has an extensive foreign commerce. That station 
 is at present occupied by Messrs. J. R. Smith and William LeConte. Whilst 
 very hopeful, I believe, for the future, they seem so far to be engaged in foun- 
 dation work. ( 
 
 Mention should perhaps be made of a number of German colonies, in vari- 
 ous parts of the Empire, in which, on an average, perhaps one-half of the 
 colonists are nominally Protestants. In many, perhaps most of the more 
 important colonies, there are Protestant pastors, usually paid in part by the 
 Government. A portion of these pastors are, alas ! only nominally Protest- 
 ants ; some are even infidels. A good many of them, however, seem to be 
 godly men, and, for Germans, sound in the faith ; yet in only one such pas- 
 toral charge have I heard of any true spiritual fruits; and in that case the 
 opposition was more bitter and tenacious than we have ever encountered 
 amongst the native Roman Catholics. These poor people generally say they 
 want a pastor to baptize their children, to confirm, marry, and bury them, and 
 perhaps teach a school, and for the rest to let them alone ; and, I fear, many of 
 their pastors aspire to little more. Even the most evangelical amongst them 
 do not give themselves to proper missionary work. Brother Schneider was 
 occupied chiefly for the first four years in preaching amongst the Germans, 
 and he became wholly discouraged. The presence of German Protestants in 
 a place we have usually found a serious hinderance to our work amongst the 
 Brazilians. These facts merit serious attention. A more definite effort should 
 be made for the benefit of that portion of the population, which is to become 
 a potent influence for good or evil in that land. 
 
 Let it not be supposed there are no difficulties in the way of the work in 
 Brazil. Besides those arising everywhere from human depravity, weakness, 
 and unbelief, there are not a few peculiar to special causes there. There is 
 full legal toleration for even the most active evangelistic work, which the Gov- 
 ernment seems disposed fully to maintain, yet Protestants are subjected to 
 certain civil disabilities and legal annoyances. Believers have also often to 
 undergo bitter and obstinate social and domestic persecution. As an example, 
 a member of one of our churches in Minas Geraes, a man thirty-five years of 
 age, and a father of a family, was severely whipped by his mother for having 
 abandoned the religion of his fathers. He took it patiently, and held fast his 
 faith in Jesus. 
 
 An effectual door is open for the Gospel in Brazil. That country ought to 
 be evangelized within the next ten years. It can be, may be, will be, if the 
 Church will only arise and do her duty. The Lord has gone before and mar- 
 velously prepared the way. Time would fail to enumerate the important 
 points to be occupied, or to tell of the numerous and urgent calls to go and 
 
15 
 
 \ 
 
 preach, which are sent oftentimes from distant places where a Bible, a book, 
 a tract, or an Imprensa Evangelica has told of the Word or work, but 
 where no living teacher has ever gone, and where, alas ! we have none to send. 
 In a population thus ready and earnestly waiting for the Gospel, there is one 
 evangelical minister to every 500,000 souls, whilst in the United States there 
 is one to about every 750. 
 
 This country has very large and important commercial relations with Brazil. 
 The Master has highly favored the Presbyterian Church of these United States, 
 in giving her the almost exclusive privilege thus far of preaching the Gospel to 
 that interesting people. How will she respond to this Providential call ? 
 Brethren, your prayers, your sons and daughters, and your gold and silver are 
 needed for this work. 
 
 There are in connection with our Mission 16 organized churches, with an 
 aggregate membership of 668. With that of the Southern Church there are 
 4 churches. 
 
 ROLL OF LABORERS. 
 
 A. G. Simonton went out 1859 ; died at S. Paulo, 1867. 
 
 Mrs. Helen Simonton went out 1863 ; died at Rio de Janeiro, 1864. 
 
 A. L. Blackford and wife went out i860; at home since November 1875. 
 
 F. J. C. Schneider went out 1861 ; Mrs. S. joined the Mission 1864. 
 
 G. W. Chamberlain joined the Mission 1866 ; Mrs. C. 1868. 
 
 E. N. Pires went out 1866 ; retired 1869. 
 
 H. W. McKee and wife went out 1867 > retired 1870 (or ’71). 
 
 Mr. Lenington and wife reached Brazil 1868; at home from 1872 to 1875. 
 
 Misses Dascomb and Greenman in 1869. 
 
 J. F. Dagama and wife 1870. 
 
 E. Vanorden and wife 1872 ; resigned 1876. 
 
 J. B. Howell 1873. 
 
 J. T. Houston land wife 1874. 
 
 L). M. Hazlett and wife 1875. 
 
 Miss Ella Kuhl 1874. 
 
 The Presbytery’ of Rio de Janeiro was organized December 1865, in the 
 city of S. Paulo, j 
 
 J. M. da Concejicao, an ex-priest, was ordained December 1865 ; died De- 
 cember 1873. 
 
 Win. D. Pitt was\ ordained Aug. 1869 '> died Feb. or March 1870. 
 
 M. P. B. de CarvJalhosa was ordained 1871. 
 
 A. B. Trajano and M. G. Torres were ordained Aug. 1875. 
 
 A. P. de Cerqueina Leite was ordained Aug. 1876. 
 
1 mwi t 
 
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