^ 12-S^ THE LAND OF THE Southern Cross VAST, FRUITFUL, LOVELY BENIGHTED BRAZIL BOARD OF MISSIONS, M. E. CHURCH. SOUTH 810 BROADWAY, NASHVILLE. TENN. We gratefully acknowledge our indebtedness to our brethren of the Southern Presbyterian Board for the privilege of reprinting from their publica- tions much of the matter contained in this tract. The Land of the South ern Cross — Brazil P ROBABLY as little is known about Brazil as any land in which we are doing mission work. There is comparatively little inter- course between that country and ours. The trade between the two, while considerable and increase ing, is not great. Not many Americans go to Bra- zil, nor many Brazilians come to the United States. Though situated on the contiguous continents of North and South America, a long and trying journey separates the two countries. In their po- litical history there has been little contact between the two nations. Brazil is a land of Vast resources and a splendid future, but its people have not hitherto been a great force in the world. It is practically without a literature, and in its development, which has been slow, it has shown few of those striking fea- tures which have attracted attention to other countries. So it has happened that our people possess little definite, detailed, and accurate knowl- edge about Brazil. Physical Features. Physically, Brazil is one of the most remarkable countries in the world. Its shape suggests a huge fan. Its handle is the narrow strip that slips down between the Atlantic Ocean and the Argentine Republic. The body of the fan spreads out northwestward toward the Andes Mountains and northeastward along the Atlantic shore. It comprehends the heart of South. America. It [ 3 ] would take another Texas added to the United States to make this country as large as Brazil. It is the home of summer. The four seasons to to which we are accustomed are not distinguished there. It is a land of flowers and beauty. The climate is enervating, especially in the Amazon Valley and along the coast, but bracing on the table-lands. It is no wonder that our missionaries have difficulty in adjusting themselves to these novel climatic conditions and in preserving their health. The country is fertile and productive to a high degree; too much so for the good of the people. The tropical products grow in such abun- dance that the people are somewhat relieved of the necessity of hard labor to secure a living, and this is an invitation to idleness, to which the climate is also a constant temptation. Development of the Country. Although the first European colonists came to Brazil about the same time that the Pilgrim Fa- thers came to North America, the resources of that splendid country are as yet almost wholly undeveloped. Instead of the 90,000,000 people who inhabit the States of North America, the last census gave Brazil a population of less than 20,- 000,000. There are places where gold nuggets are found lying about on the surface of the ground, and many places where good wages could be made washing the sand in the streams for gold, and yet gold mining is carried on to a very limited extent. There are railroads connecting most of the larger cities near the coast, and two or three that pene- trate the interior. A trunk line from Rio de Ja- neiro to Buenos Ayres has just been completed, an enterprise of great importance. These roads have been built chiefly by English capital, and are only the beginning of what is necessary to furnish transportation for the people and the products of the soil. Interior transportation is chiefly done on two-wheeled wagons, whose screeching wood axles announce their approach for miles before they come in sight, pulled by ox teams over roads which are simply gullies. The transportation of his farm produce by this means costs the farmer almost as much as he can get for it when he reaches the market. It is no wonder, therefore, that Brazilian trade plays such a relatively insignificant part in the world’s commerce. But it is growing yearly. Political Conditions. Since 1889 Brazil has been a republic, with a constitution modeled after our own. It is an admirable constitution. Four features of it are of particular interest to us. The first is restricted suffrage. Among the classes not permitted to vote are those who are ignorant of the alphabet and '‘members of monastic orders, companies, congregations, or communities, of whatever de- nomination, who are subject to vows of obedi- ence, rule, or statute which implies the surrender of individual liberty.” Both of these provisions are. aimed at the Catholic Church, for that Church in South America fosters ignorance; and if the second provision were strictly enforced, it would rule out the Catholic clergy entirely. That, of course, is not done; but this item of the constitu- tion shows the trend of political thought in Bra- zil with respect to the Catholic clergy. Another interesting feature of the constitution is the pro- vision for the freedom of the press, which is an- [ 5 ] other thrust at the genius of Romanism. But of more interest still is the provision for religious liberty. On this point the constitution is explicit and ample. ^‘All persons and religious profes- sions may exercise publicly and freely the right of worship, and may associate themselves for that purpose, acquire property, etc.’’ Civil marriage is required, and it is specified that it shall be gratui- tous. This last is a distinct blow at the clergy, who, before the republic was established, were alone au- thorized to perform the rite of matrimony. They frequently charged both for this and for funeral rites such exorbitant sums that it was a source of large income. Poor people frequently could not pay the fee, which led to illegitimate unions. In these respects the law is all that our mis- sionaries could ask. But it would be a mistake to suppose that the people practice these broad prin- ciples of liberty. Unfortunately, the law is not enforced. The sympathies and the prejudices of the masses are overwhelmingly on the side of the Catholic clergy. The officials are not Romanists as a rule, but are often intimidated by them, so that these beautiful laws are in many respects more of a dead letter than a real check upon the fanatical prejudices of the people. There is, how- ever, a growing class of independent, intelligent, honorable political leaders who in time will ma- terially change the condition of things. The vis- its of Mr. Root and William Jennings Bryan did much to stimulate the statesmen of the republic to higher conceptions of civic righteousness. Social Conditions. About one-third of the people have pure Portu- guese blood in their veins. Brazil was settled [ 6 ] and long dominated by the Portuguese. There are a few thousands of Indians and many negroes, and a large part of the population in the central and northern sections is of mixed blood. There are no well-defined social distinctions between these various classes. The pure Caucasian blood is preferred, and every one desires the straight hair, which is a sign of that blood; but the ne- groes and mulattoes are not socially debarred. The standard of morals is low. Truthfulness and chastity are not common virtues. Social purity is not the rule. According to the census of 1890, one-sixth of the population of the country were born out of wedlock. Many of the priests live in open concubinage ; and while they would be deposed from office if they married, it is not considered out of the way for them to have their “families” and introduce their children. The Romanist Church has thus openly put itself upon the side of impurity. Society is corrupted at its fountain. The sacred and beneficent influences of real home life are almost unknown. The low esti- mate put upon marriage, the prevalence of ille- gitimacy, and the practices of the priests have broken many of the safeguards of chastity. The preaching of a pure gospel is the only remedy. The Brazilians are naturally indolent. The lack of thrift and energy is partly accounted for by the climate and partly by the religious customs of the people. There are many saints’ days, which are given over to gross and noisy festivities, when the people ought to be at work. Great numbers seek to make their living in one way or another out of the government. But this is true of other countries. There are many admirable elements of Brazil- [ 7 ] ian character. “They are hospitable, friendly, and show great respect and deference to the stranger who conies into their midst, especially if he is a traveler. This element of hospitality and generosity, under gospel influences, becomes a prominent and powerful factor in the develop- ment of Christian character.” Religious Conditions. Romanism has had a free hand to do its best, or worst, for three hundred years. What has it done for Brazil? 1. It has fostered ignorance. According to the last census, after about three centuries of Romish domination, the proportion of illiteracy in Brazil was eighty-five per cent. Under its tutelage the Bible, the corner stone of modern culture, has become an unknown book. 2. It has * established idolatry. Everywhere in the Churches and homes are seen images of the Virgin and of the saints, which are generally worshiped by the people. 3. It has developed superstition. Authentic ex- amples of Romish superstition could be given without number, such as the miraculous healing power of certain images and relics. 4. It has destroyed the spirituality of religion. It has put Mary above Christ, the pope in the place of God, and made religious conduct consist in obeying the foolish commandments of sinful men. 5. It has divorced religion from morality. It proposes to put a man in right relations with God and yet leave him free to follow his carnal appe- tites. It makes a man religious without making him good. A lying, lecherous man, who has sur- [ 8 ] rendered his moral responsibility into the hands of his superior, has power to direct conduct, for- give sins, to deliver from purgatory. On the foundations of ignorance it has built up an idola- trous ecclesiasticism out of the ruins of both Christianity and morality. 6 . It has produced its inevitable fruit, infidelity. The cultured classes, even if they retain connec- I tion with the Church, have lost their faith and are wandering in the mazes of skepticism. The re- , public is full of agnostics and infidels. I Ought we to send missionaries to this country? The question answers itself. If the gospel needs to be preached anywhere in the world, it is need- ed in Brazil. And yet little has been done to sup- ply this vast, this urgent, this crying need. The Presbyterians have been at work in Brazil nearly forty years, and have accomplished excellent re- sults. The Methodists (Southern) were the next upon the ground, having established their mission in 1876, and have had large success. The Episco- palians began work in 1889. The Baptists’ (South- ern) mission was established jn 1882, and the blessing of God upon the work has been con- spicuous. The Presbyterians began in 1869. In 1873 they had two missions. North and South Brazil. Our Own Work. We began work in Brazil in 1876 under the su- perintendency of J. j. Ransom. Since that time the work has grown immensely. In 1879 we had only six Brazilians in our Church; now we have 6,191, more than a thousandfold growth in thirty-two years. They are a liberal people. In 1906 they averaged almost $6 per member in their gifts to the Church. We have two Annual Con- [ 9 ] ferences, 59 missionaries (including wives), 24 churches, 21 Brazilian preachers, 3,663 Sunday school scholars, 1,510 Epworth Leaguers, and a total contribution of $12,130 for the support of the ministry. So far as Methodism is concerned, the field and the responsibility are ours. The Methodist Episcopal Church has withdrawn from the field and turned it over to us. Last year our nine schools showed an enroll- ment of 1,164. Our chief school is Granbery Col- lege, at Juiz de Eora. It is embarrassed by its very success. The president is pleading for en- largement to meet the demand of a growing pat- ronage. In 1903 the college had only 50 stu- dents. In five years this number had grown to 291, and during the past year over 400 were on the rolls. Dental and Pharmaceutical Departments have been added to the Literary and Theological, and in both are found women, who, as in Japan, are taking their places in professional life. What does Granbery need? A suitable building which shall be the center of biblical instruction and evangelistic training. This building, costing $15,- 000, should be put up in memory of our noble bishop who organized the Brazil Mission Confer- ence. It should be done because we believe Bra- zil can be evangelized only through a trained native ministry. We have a Publishing House in Rio de Ja- neiro which publishes the Conference paper and the Sunday school literature. The People’s Central Institute, in Rio de Ja- neiro, is one of our very greatest missionary enterprises. It is an institutional plant intended to reach the vast number of sailors and the down- [ 10 ] town population of that great city. It has day and night schools, baths, gymnasium, a playground feature, a dispensary, and through all runs the evangelistic aim and method. Hundreds of chil- dren and young people are being reached, and the number is constantly increasing. The chil- dren and young people are being taught the real meaning and practice of prayer. During the first year of the day school 62 matriculated ; the second year 12^^, new ones came in; the third year 115 new ones; and last year 132 were added, making 433 who first and last have been in our day school. More than 150 have been in the night classes. The Sunday school reached iii as the highest attendance in 1910, and the year 1911 be- gan with double that number. This work has had the services of two missionaries of the Woman's Missionary Council, Misses Dye and Richmond, who have done most efficient work among the women and girls and in the dispensary, day school, and Sunday school. The promise of this fine plant is great. It is the universal testimony That our native preachers are men of good lives, and this has great significance among a people accustomed to a corrupt priesthood. The same is true of our mem- bership. They are exemplifying the fruits of the gospel in uprightness and steadiness of character, and for liberality they are deserving of all praise. Many of our Churches are approaching the point of self-support. Owing to the growth of our work and the vast- ness of the territory, we have been compelled to divide our work. The South Brazil Conference, which was organized by Bishop Lambuth in 1910, occupies the southern end of the country. The E 11 ] growth of the Church there has been remarkable. In 1901 this territory was taken over from the Methodist Episcopal Church. Then there were ^bout 250 members. Now there are 1,320, and constantly larger gains. In Porto Alegre alone there are two good congregations, almost self- supporting. Is there not reason to hope that this great and fruitful Land of the Southern Cross may soon become indeed the land of the cross, overstarred by the light and glory of the gospel of Christ? Its future depends largely upon the fidelity of the Church at home in carrying out the last com- mand of our Lord. [ 12 ]