DURING my residence of two years in Goyaz city, the capital of Goyaz State, I witnessed the welcome given to a new Roman Catholic bishop, and watched with interest the effect his presence had upon people and things generally.
The people of Goyaz had declared they would never have another bishop. I was told that the new arrival’s predecessor was such an unprincipled money-grabber that at last the Goyanos rebelled, and he was compelled to leave the State. Even so, several Catholics assured me, he was able quietly to carry off some mule loads of gold and silver candlesticks, crucifixes, idols, salvers, etc., spoils from different churches in the State. When the losses were discovered, the people were indignant, and some clamored to have the bishop prosecuted directed by a capable ex-Army official. The telegraph wires were cut in many places, and in all the surrounding mountains the approaches to the city were occupied, in order to prevent the arrival of reinforcements for the Government. The new Bishop and pastor, who now had the opportunity to manifest his influence for good at this crisis, tried to make peace between the parties, but utterly failed; no one paid any heed to his exhortations, in spite of all the recent homage and honor paid outwardly to his person. When their own interests were concerned, his flock cared nothing for him or his words, and a group of his traveling monks were unceremoniously held up by the rebels as suspects.
One realizes that, while perhaps the majority of Catholics are willingly fascinated by the seeming learning of their spiritual masters, as well as by their millinery, pantomimics, and perfumes, nevertheless they have but slight respect or trust in their moral integrity and truthfulness, or belief in their real love for souls.
The State Army only numbered about 300 men, and nothing was done to put the place in a state of defense. Food became scarce and dear, and the city was in a condition of semi-panic. The very worst was expected, in view of the dangerous character of the rebel army, and many families managed to escape from the town.
At this time I walked out one evening to a village only two miles away, and found the place almost deserted. The few remaining families had gathered together and were discussing the situation in doleful terms.
As I approached a group, I cried out: “I have the remedy!”
A little startled, they awaited my explanation; so I handed round appropriate Gospel tracts to each person, saying, “There would be no revolutions if this were known and believed,” and, accepting an offered stool, I preached the Gospel into willing ears. Then I passed on to the next group in like manner, and with the same result―they all agreed. By the time I had finished it was quite dark, and I walked home over the hills with joy unspeakable in my heart, though every rugged rock and projecting stump seemed like a waiting bandit, ready to spring.
A day or so later, when things were at their worst, I had some printed labels stuck on the front of copies of Mark’s Gospel: “The Revolution―the Cause and the Remedy! See page 46.” and scattered them broadcast throughout the city. On page 46 they found underlined in red verses 24 and 29 to 33 of chapter 12. They were eagerly received, and I have reason to believe they caused a profound impression, which was certainly more than the Bishop’s intervention produced.
The situation grew critical. An armed force, accompanying a newly-elected member, sought to break through to the city; but falling into an ambush a few miles from their goal, they were utterly routed, and left over twenty dead or mortally wounded on the field.
Being now thoroughly terrified, the Government sought to come to terms; but the rebel leaders were obdurate, and only when they had obtained a complete surrender, and with trumpets and flaunting of banners and red sashes, had ridden fully armed and triumphant through the awestruck city, was the siege raised.
We had the opportunity of preaching Christ to five of the rebel force who came into our meeting on the next Sunday night. They presented rather an alarming appearance, but God was manifestly working, and they all seemed really impressed.
It is a terrible thing to realize the darkness in which all South America lies, with no Gospel light shining upon her. The vast majority of the people are destitute of any saving knowledge of God. The religion of Rome has been from the first idolatrous and mechanical, devoid of spiritual life or power, and forming a veritable cloak for covetousness. The Word of God has not been given to the people; but instead a gaudy ceremonial of image worship, combined with feasts and revelries notorious for their licentiousness and drunkenness.
A debased, immoral priesthood, arrogating to itself the sole right of mediatorship between the people and God, has for generations been selling, in the name of God, but for its own enrichment, the license to indulge in sin without guilt or penalty; so that the public conscience has been utterly deadened to all apprehension of sin as God sees it. Thus Satan seeks to dazzle and deceive these people, so that they drink greedily at this stagnant pool; and, paying heavily for the privilege, cannot lift their eyes to Him Who offers the Water of Life freely, and Who alone of the Sons of men is worthy of all honor and praise.
It is not easy to calculate the spiritual power and influence wielded by a Roman Catholic Bishop with his small army of monks and nuns in a town like Goyaz, situated far away from the influences of modern civilization and thought, and where the Bible―the only basis for a pure, right judgment in religious matters―is denied the people. In many respects Goyaz savors more of the seventeenth than of the twentieth century; and here may yet be found the old-time inquisitorial spirit that Rome so successfully disguises in other lands where the Gospel light shines.
This spirit was manifested soon the new “Angel’s” arrival in the city. A leading article came out in the only newspaper in the State, then published by the Bishop, headed: “To the Fire!” One felt that he deemed it a pity that, in addition to Bibles and Gospels, he could not consign to the flames the believers also, and that the law would not permit a real live autoda-fe―Rome’s only effective answer to the continual protest of Christ’s witnesses against her apostasy.
The article read as follows: “We recommend our worthy countrymen, who have given so many proofs lately of not desiring any other religion than the Catholic, that they cast into the fire without the least scruple, all the Protestant Bibles and Gospels, with books or tracts of this religious sect that may fall into their hands.
“These books and tracts are well known, and are customarily offered to children or to careless people, for others refuse to accept them (happily untrue). Sometimes at night they are tucked under the doors, or, as has happened to some families, slipped through the Venetian shutters.
“To the fire with all that are distributed from today on! To the fire with any or all that may yet be in the house, where no Catholic may retain these books!”
In spite of its tireless activity, however, Romanism loses ground daily. This has been said elsewhere in the book, and her persecution of the Word of God is proving her own undoing in South America.