The next day many new things came up. First there was the laundry to send out, then the marketing to be done. We all rose early, got our Spanish grammars, and, by the time the woman came for the washing, we were ready to speak a few words to her about it. Then we studied what to say at the market, and my husband came home with some of the things we wanted, and some things we didn’t want, but we were learning the language right along.

I wanted to season something with butter, so called to the cook to hurry and bring it to me. I thought she was awfully slow. Hearing a great noise behind me, I turned and saw her leading the horse into the kitchen. I had asked for the horse, instead of the butter, to put into the cooking. After a hearty laugh from all of us, I went into my room for my Spanish grammar and looked up the word for butter, to be sure I should not make that mistake again.

Things were going pretty well by this time, except for the few mistakes we made occasionally.

The next thing I called for was a spoon, with which to eat my soup. They brought the broom in, and laid it on the table. I couldn’t very well eat soup with the broom, so sent it back and kept asking for a spoon, until either I had the word right, or they guessed what I wanted, I don’t know which.

We employed a teacher and every morning for a couple of hours we studied the language. This was a great help. We soon were able to ask for butter or spoons with no such mistakes, and before long we could sing and read our Bibles quite well, also give our testimonies in Spanish. From day to day we could note the progress we made in learning the language.

Then came the day when Brother and Sister Schoenich returned home. They were tired and worn, for they had been working very hard in the meetings while away, and we wished we could take all the burdens from them, and let them rest. But there were many things to attend to. They went right to printing the paper, toiling almost day and night, not sparing themselves one moment. These dear souls have come into this dark land of sin and idolatry and laid down their lives for the Gospel. Let us hold them up in prayer and by our means. Let every reader of this book breathe a prayer to God for these dear workers. Their bodies are tired and worn and they need a rest very badly. May the Lord of the harvest send forth laborers to this dark land to take their place long enough for them to have a furlough. Many were the precious lessons of faith and love we learned from them for which we praise God.

The days went by. Three months passed. We had no thought of leaving, until one day while we were out giving tracts to the Indians as they passed by, God spoke to me and said, “Go to Leon.” We didn’t see how we could possibly do that, for we had so little of the language, and no money to go with, and it would take at least seventy-five dollars. But as we waited before the Lord, we were sure it was His dear will. Then we asked for the means to be sent for the oxcart to carry our baggage over the mountains. The next mail brought a draft for just the amount needed. Brother and Sister Schoenich told us that before Sister Yeagges’ death she had said the Lord showed her we were the missionaries for Leon. At that time we had never met any of the workers, but had been merely corresponding with them.

Then there was the packing of our things in preparation for the trip, which was a long tiresome one over the mountains and plains under the tropical sun. We worked hard, and in one week were off. Brother Schoenich took us down on his mules, which was very kind of him. His heart is in the work in this country, and he has been willing to make every sacrifice to get the Gospel to these people.

LEAVING MATAGALPA FOR LEON

After seeing our trunks and baggage loaded on the oxcart, and started on the way, we set about to prepare a lunch for the trip, as the only food available while traveling through the country is tortillas, (corn cakes), and frijoles, (beans), and many times one cannot even get these, for the people are very poor, many of them living on roots and leaves from certain trees.

After saying good-bye to Sister Schoenich, and to the native Christians who had gathered to see us off, we mounted our beasts and were soon on our way through the little village, waving good-bye to the many friends we had met while there. The road being very good for some distance we had several races, and we remarked how clean we then were, but how different we would look on reaching our destination. The sun was just sinking behind the western hills and we could see the natives driving in the animals for the night. As we rode on we saw the hills were all on fire, for the custom there is to burn all the shrubbery before planting crops. As we saw the great flames winding their way up the tall trees, and flashing into the air, burning up the thorns and briers, and leaving the ground clean so the seed which was to be planted might grow, there came to my mind the thought that even so, the power and fire of God could fall on that country and burn up all the awful sin and idolatry which was binding those people, so that the Word of God could be sowed and bring forth fruit in their lives. And there arose from our hearts, a cry to our Heavenly Father to send out His messengers into that needy land to light the fires of the Holy Spirit, till sin should be burned, and the people be freed.

Riding until about 10 o’clock, passing over some very rough road, we reached a little village. Being very tired and hungry, we decided to stop here for the night. We hung our swinging beds up in the shed of the native hut, which was used for a saloon, and after eating our scanty meal by candle-light, we committed ourselves to the keeping of the One who never slumbers nor sleeps, then lay down to rest amid the talking of many other travelers, who were stopping there for the night. Each one carried in his belt a big revolver, and a machette (a large knife), which all the people, even the children, carry, and with which they kill one another, when they become angry. Nevertheless we were conscious of the angels camping around us, and there was no fear in our hearts.

Awakening next morning very early, we arose and brushed off the dust which covered us from the constant traveling on the road, near which we had been sleeping, for the people travel all through the night, as in the day the sun is very hot. We ate our breakfast again by candle-light, and after our morning prayer, we mounted and were off for a day’s trip. Though our bodies were very tired we went on singing and praising God for the glorious privilege of carrying the Gospel message to that dark land.

We rode until about noon, when we came to a stream of water which looked very refreshing to us. The poor animals were so glad to see that water that when they got in it they drank, and drank, and drank. We spread our lunch on the sand, and washed ourselves and drank heartily, for that was the first water we had seen for two days except the little the natives had given us to drink. Then came one who told us that just upstream all the dead animals of the neighborhood were thrown in. But we claimed the promise, that “If ye drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt you.”—Mark 16:18.

After a rest for ourselves and beasts, we were again on our way. The sun being very hot by this time we prayed that the Lord would send a cloud over it, which He did. Praise His Holy Name! “The sun shall not smite you by day.” We went on, passing over great rocks and boulders. The mules had to climb up and over them until at times it was impossible for new and inexperienced riders as we were, to stay in the saddles. However, some of us missed our saddles only a few times and took a tumble.

Sister Finney, putting her confidence in a broken part on the back of her saddle, fell off as she was going up a steep place, and after standing on her head for an instant, rolled down the bank, the mule stepping on her chest. Rising, she praised the Lord that He had sent His angel and delivered her. She mounted, and we were off again, after finding she was not hurt. Evidently I did not have so much faith in the matter of falling off mules, and rolling round amid the rocks, for while passing through a very deep cut, with high banks on either side, the mule which I was riding pushed against the bank, and having a bad saddle, I lost my hold and fell under the animal’s feet. She was kind enough not to step on the poor missionary who was such an inexperienced rider, but who had been called to learn, and she very carefully stepped over me. I was picked up, and, after a little prayer-meeting there in the dust, I was able to remount and ride on to our destination, thirty-five miles away. God wonderfully blessed me and the Holy Spirit came upon me, and I sang and praised the Lord in tongues—with interpretation. All the way I felt the strong arm of Jesus upholding me. On arriving my foot was found to be badly broken and crushed, and so swollen that I could hardly remove my shoe.

Praise the Lord! He came down and blessed my soul, and touched my body! How His love did burn in my heart! As the devil seemed to be angry I felt that I was surely called to preach the Gospel in that place. The power went through my poor, crushed and swollen foot until it was entirely straightened, for it had been so twisted that my toes were behind, and my heel was in front. I could feel the bones set and straightened as the mighty power surged through like bolts of electricity. I did not stop preaching although for a time I was unable to put my foot to the floor, but the people came to me, sitting there in the house, to ask about the Gospel.

One night I felt the healing touch so strong that I knew I could walk, so, arising next morning, I attempted to put on my shoe, but it would not even go over my toes. Nevertheless, I praised God, laced the shoe on the other foot, ready to walk, and then kept pulling at the other shoe until it went on. Soon it was laced up and I was ready to walk. I went into the meetings, and have been going ever since, and that foot is as good as it ever was. How we do praise Jesus that we can suffer for His name’s sake. No warrior returns from battle without wounds, or marks of hardships endured, and one national hero declared he was sorry that he had but one life to give for his country. Much more should we endure and give, who are fighting for our Heavenly country under the leadership of our great Captain, King Jesus.

We have heard the Macedonian call, “Come Over and Help Us,” and the love of God constrains us, so “onward we must go, regardless of the foe.” Truly these dear people are calling for us to come and give them the Gospel. Shall we fail and allow them to perish without the knowledge of the love of Him, who so freely died to save them?

Late one afternoon we arrived at a small village, and being tired from the hard day’s travel we decided to stay for the night, but when we stopped, ready to dismount, we were told that

Robbers

had swept down from the mountains on the towns and villages of that district, had robbed the people, and driven off their stock. The soldiers had been sent out, and already one battle had been fought, and more trouble was brewing, so it was very dangerous for us to be traveling. We looked to the Lord for guidance, and felt that we must lose no time, but taking the Blood for our protection, should move on. Arising at two o’clock the next morning we went over the road on which the robbers were supposed to be, through a dense forest, but saw nor heard nothing except the many parrots and birds, screeching and singing.

We made seventeen leagues that day, crossing mountains and plains, stopping at noon at a little hut by the roadside for food for the beasts and rest for ourselves. We were received with much hospitality by these people, with their bamboo covered house, its walls composed of a few sticks stuck up at intervals. The entire inside had on its dress of mourning from the smoke from the family cook-stove, which was a pile of rocks in one corner. While the woman was making us a fresco of gourd seed, (a favorite drink they make there), grinding the seeds on the tortilla stone, the old mother pig and her babies were having a real jubilee under the rickety table. In that country hogs seem to be the family pets, for in every house there are many of them. The beds were merely a few sticks covered with a rawhide. Other sticks surmounted by a rough board served for a table, and a black smutty pile of rocks was the stove. These articles completed the home furnishings. The host was poor, but oh, how he and his family listened to the Gospel story! This is the picture of thousands of homes in that country. The people are exceedingly poor, but hungry for the Bread of Life. How we enjoyed preaching the Gospel to them! Although there were numerous hardships to endure, it was sweet to be in God’s will, and to tell these dear ones of His great love for, and His desire to save them.

Reaching our next stopping place late in the evening we camped for the night. After we women were in our hammocks, and the men had seen the animals put away for the night, they went for a swim in a nearby stream. When their swim was finished, they found the stream was the home of some large

Alligators

but, praise God! He is the same as when He stopped the lions’ mouths for Daniel. Certainly He does care for His little children.

Rising before daybreak we sent up a thanks-giving to our Heavenly Father for His safe-keeping through the night, and asked Him to protect us that day. Then we loaded our beds and other belongings upon the mules and went on our way.

That day’s journey brought us over a part of the country which was covered with great rocks and boulders thrown from Nicaragua’s largest volcano, El Momotombo. In the distance we could see the volcano belching forth smoke, and the heat was intense. About one hundred years ago this volcano completely destroyed the city of Leon, leaving a great lake filled with water, which is there today.

The dust was very deep in the roads, because of the extensive traveling. It rolled up about us in a great cloud. Many times we could not see each other a few feet away. We resembled a miniature whirlwind coming down the road, and surely we were a whirlwind coming against the devil. The enemy would fain stir up a storm to strangle God’s people and prevent them from invading the territory he has so long held, but we would not be intimidated. Souls were at stake. They were being held in prison, behind bars of iron, but their cries had reached Heaven and God had sent some of His messengers with the glad news of freedom. The message must be delivered, regardless of the cost, so over mountain and plain we went, covered with dust, faint from much traveling through long, hot days, but on to the people with the message that Jesus died to set them free.

Toward dusk we came in sight of a little adobe house, and were told that we might stop there for the night. How nice it was to see a place where we could rest our tired bodies, wash ourselves and comb our hair. For three days we had been unable to comb our hair or wash ourselves for water was too scarce. How wonderful it will be when we earth-travelers pass on our way to that City which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, where we shall see dear Jesus and hear Him say, “Come, My children, into the mansions I have prepared for you.” The residents of that city “shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”—Rev. 7:16,17. How blessed to know Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us! How the very thought thrills my soul, and causes me to want to work to help bring others into those mansions!

While talking with the natives, they told us that

A Large Tiger

had come down from the mountains and, after killing two cows and injuring several more, had escaped. They were greatly frightened, as the animal was still in the neighborhood, but we lay down under the shed, and went to sleep, awakening just when the sun was coming up through the trees. We hustled and dressed, and after ordering some hot milk from the people there, we mounted for another day’s journey. We went down the road in the direction which the tiger had taken. The natives warned us that we were likely to meet the ferocious animal in the forest not far away, but we went on, singing the sweet songs of Zion, and trusting ourselves to His keeping, who said, “I will give you power over all the power of the enemy.” A tiger was a very small thing compared to the awful monster of sin which had ravaged the whole country. We realized that the King’s business demanded haste, so we passed on, and rode over the dusty road unmolested. The blessed Holy Spirit filled our hearts with joy at the thought of soon reaching the place where we should have meetings with the dear faithful little band of Christians who were awaiting.

OUR ARRIVAL IN LEON

Our arrival in the city aroused much curiosity among the people. As we passed through the streets they came out of their houses and followed us to see where we were going. When we came in sight of the house where lived a Christian woman, who had suffered much at the hands of her people, she came out to meet us. The power fell on her, and she danced for joy, and we wept and shouted. A crowd soon gathered to see what had occurred, and we had a meeting right there, telling them of the Savior’s love and His willingness to save them from all sin, and to present them faultless before His Father. These people had persecuted this dear sister for ten years after she was saved. They would come and whip her, throw her goods into the street, and tell her they would kill her if she did not turn back into the Roman church, but she stood true, and now had the Baptism of the Spirit, and in her house we had our meetings.

We slept on cow hides for beds, with a straw mat under us. We ate our food out of gourds for two weeks until our things came and we could get a house. It was sweet to be in the Master’s dear service.

The city of Leon is anti-American because it is the headquarters of the Liberal party, which is trying to overthrow the rule of the church of Rome. The United States appointed a president twelve years ago, thus stopping the revolution then in progress. As the president is a church man the Liberal party hasn’t much love for an American.

This was a difficulty which we had before us. Not only were missionaries hated, but we were American missionaries, which was far worse. We looked to the Father for a house in which we might live, and preach the Gospel to these dear people. A man came to us and said we could have a house, so we moved in the following day. It was a poor thing to call a house, being dirty, and infested with scorpions, lizards, and a species of ant which builds a big mud house and eats not only one’s clothes but also the furniture.

We were situated between two saloons and houses of ill-fame, right in the slum district. People danced, drank and caroused all night in these places. It was a pretty good place in which to open fire on the enemy, being right in the midst of his works. When an army advances to fight the enemy it goes to the strongest point.

On one side of our house, which was built of thin lumber, there were cracks in the wall, and we could look through the cracks into the saloon. We remembered the scripture which says we are not to light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candle stick, so all can see; so we would get out our little organ and sing and play, then kneel and pray, and the people would peep through at us. We were told they might throw rocks at us, and burn down the house, and might even kill us, but we were not there to draw back, so we opened fire with the heavy artillery of God’s power in the Holy Ghost.

We had not had, as yet, any public meetings, but had been waiting on the Lord for guidance. One morning there appeared a woman in our doorway, crying out

“Will You Come and Pray for My Baby? It Is Dying!”

We went with her to her home, which was a few doors away. There on the bed lay a little child, seemingly just passing away. A crowd had gathered about the door. When I saw the baby and that crowd there arose a cry to God from the depths of my soul to heal the child, thereby proving His power to the people. The child seemed to pass away, but we called on God to heal it for His glory. The little thing rose up, climbed off the bed, and began playing on the floor.

The mother shouted and gave herself to the Lord then and there. The doctors had given the child medicine to make it die easy, for it had been sick a long time. The mother brought the baby to our house, and sang, and praised the God of Heaven until the people from far and near came to see the child. She afterwards took the child and went all over the city from house to house telling how God had healed it and saved her. Then the people began to come to be prayed for. Often they would come and stay far into the night.

We were having such a blessed time that we forgot about living in the slums, and about the saloons on either side of us, although at first we could not sleep for the noise from them. Soon we discovered they had moved the saloon which was so close to our bedroom. When I saw the proprietor come into the meetings, with others who came for prayer, I asked him if he had moved. He answered he had, as he did not feel good to have a bar so close to where we prayed so much. Besides, he said, he had no customers left, as they all came to hear us. Hallelujah! Jesus did move in a mighty way.

On the other side was the biggest house of ill-fame in the city. Men and women gathered there by dozens, some of them perfectly nude, dancing and drinking at all hours of the night. It was so awful we felt that hell had been uncapped in that place. But here came the “madame” to us, asking for prayer, saying she was sick, and she knew she was living a bad life. After her came many others. We prayed with each one and gave them each a Bible, until there were some mighty changes wrought in that section of the city.

One Dark Night

when the rain was falling in torrents, we were sitting around our feeble candle-light, reading our Bibles. We heard a knock on the door. It was late, and we had been warned by both missionaries and the Christian natives, to be very careful to whom we opened our doors after night, as there were people who would as soon kill us as they would an animal, so we did not open the door immediately. The knocking continued, and we heard a man’s voice asking us in Spanish to let him in. My husband partly opened the door, and in the small opening we saw a tall, dark native. He pushed into the room, looking very much frightened. When we asked what he wanted, he asked if we were the missionaries. We told him that we were, and he told us that five years before he had found a Bible, and began reading it. He had become convinced of the truth of the Gospel and wished to talk with us. We talked and prayed with him, then asked him to come to the meetings. He said his mother was very angry because he did not go to the church any more, and he was afraid that if he were to come to our meetings the people would kill him. That was why he had come on such a dark, wet night to have a talk with the missionaries. We were reminded of the ruler in Israel who interviewed Jesus in the night.

He came to the house every night for two weeks. When we opened our class in English he attended. We always had a lesson from the Bible, and the scholars had to learn scripture verses. One day this man came out boldly and said, “I am coming to the meetings.” By this time we had several of the leading citizens of the city attending our meetings. This young man has since been called to preach the Gospel to his people. Pray for him. The following is a copy of a note he wrote us when we left Leon.

Others came to the class, being anxious to learn English. The judge of the city, doctors, lawyers, and many others heard the Gospel preached. To one young man who came to the class we gave a Bible in English, and one day he came to ask us some questions. The priests had told the natives we were nice people but were teaching error, for we taught people to read the Bible and the Bible was a very bad book, and they must not read it. But this precious boy was convicted of sin, and was seeking God. We asked him to pray the Lord to forgive his sins, and then to believe that God did it. He asked for a prayer-book, so he could pray. We told him we never used prayer-books; we simply asked God to forgive us and save us from our sins. He was sweetly saved and went away to bring a cousin to the meetings. This cousin was also saved. These two were among our brightest pupils. They could read and speak English quite well in a few months.

One morning, very early, before we were up, there came a knock on our door and a little brown-faced Indian girl appeared. She was about thirteen years old, and very pretty. She asked us to take her as a servant. She had nowhere to go, and had been sleeping in the market. As I looked at that dear little brown face and heard her story I looked up to my Heavenly Father and breathed a prayer that He would remember the thousands who, like her, had no home and were perishing. We told her we would take her, and I wish my readers might have seen that dear little face light up with joy because she would have a home with the missionaries. She was a very bright girl, and very quick to learn. Soon she could play the organ and sing the Gospel hymns. How she did love to go to the meetings and to read her Bible!

Carl’s Ball and Bat

Carl had a ball and a bat which had been brought from the homeland, and in the daytime he would go out into the small park near the house, gather all the boys from the streets, and play ball with them. They had never seen a ball or a bat before, and it was all very wonderful to them. Carl’s face would become very red from the heat, and the children thought it queer to see a red-faced boy with such white hair, and such peculiar things as the ball and bat. He would play with them until lunch-time, then they would come home with him, and he would get his Bible, read from it, and tell them of Jesus, and numbers of them were brought to God in this way.

Many boys and girls came to us asking for a school and a home, but I am sorry to say that we could not possibly take them in, our house and means would not permit. But we are asking God to stir up the people in the homeland to give till there shall be a home and school opened in this dark city of Leon where these precious jewels may be gathered in and taught the Bible, and the way to God.

We were having precious meetings, and one day a man came saying he had walked a long distance to find the missionaries, to get them to come to his home and teach the Gospel. Husband and I went with him, going as far as possible on the little railroad, then walking the rest of the way. When we arrived we felt as if every drop of our blood were boiling, we were so hot, walking so far under the tropical sun. We found the family gathered to hear the Word of God, and thought of Peter going to the house of Cornelius.

The Lord touched these dear hearts with His love in a mighty way. They wept, and cried to Him to save them. Even the little children were hungry to seek the Lord. Far away from all Christians, in a dark land, filled with idols, where the powers of darkness fill the very air, were those precious souls, just waiting for someone to come and tell them of a Savior’s love. There are many thousands just like them. Dear reader, what will you do to get the gospel to them? Ask the Lord to show you what He would have you do.

I shall never forget the scene when we started to leave these people. They clung to us, begging us not to leave them. But there were our own dear children at Leon, in a foreign land, far away from all loved ones, and with no one to protect them, and the shadows of night were beginning to fall. We had to pull ourselves away from those pleading, soul-hungry people, and say good-bye. We promised to come back when we could, telling them we must go back to our little ones, and the work in Leon. The father and mother had seven bright-faced boys, and asked us if we would take them into our school, and we told them we would if we could but we were not able for lack of means.

Returning it seemed as if the slow train would never get to Leon. We were tired, and our feet were blistered from the long walk in the terrible heat. But as we looked to the Lord to refresh our bodies and heal our sore feet, the Holy Spirit came sweeping through our beings, so refreshing us that we hardly knew we had gone through such an ordeal.

In a few days there came a call to another home far away in the mountains, where the people were begging that the Gospel be brought to them. I took a native woman with me and we traveled on the train as far as we could go. We purposed going to the home of some native Christians who lived in that town, and who had been in the meetings at Leon, where we thought to rest until the sun went down, as the other trip had taught me not to walk far under the hot sun. As we passed down the street I heard the people calling out in Spanish, “Hay una Evangelista!” (There is a missionary!) But I thought nothing of it, knowing they were not accustomed to seeing foreigners walking through their streets.

Arriving at the house of the Christians I was told the people would not allow missionaries to come to that town. Some months before, one of their young men had been converted. When he came back and told it, men, women, and children, with the priests as leaders, gathered, and cut him to pieces in the street near the house where we then were.

The dear native Christians were looking for the people to come at any moment and kill them. They declared that we all would be killed that day. I began praying to find out if I had missed the Lord’s will by coming there, but the Lord spoke to my heart, saying all would be well and not to fear what the people might do. So we gathered inside and prayed to God for protection, and to convict the people of their awful crimes. When we arose from prayer a large crowd was gathered outside, watching us. The house was made of small poles stuck in the ground, with large cracks all around, so we could easily see and be seen.

We planned to leave the house at sunset, to walk out to the farm where we were going to preach the Gospel. I told the dear ones not to fear, but to trust God. However, they were greatly frightened and said the mob would certainly kill me when I went out. But I knew I had been sent there by the Lord, and all would be well.

I went out and spoke to the crowd, and then started down the street, leading to the country. When I looked around only my woman was with me. She told me the others had gone another way, hoping to miss the crowd, which I saw was following us. I saw some women give a boy a machette, and tell him to cut me with it. He came running toward me, talking in Spanish as fast as he could, and swearing at me. I went right ahead. He kept at my side, swearing. The mob followed us. We walked on until we came to where the road left the town, and turned into the country. I felt the power of God coming upon me in a way I had never felt before.

The veins of my neck swelled, and my body began to shake. Then I turned toward the mob and began speaking to them in tongues. They turned and ran, until not one was to be seen. A little disappointed feeling came into my heart. I said, “Jesus, I wanted to die a martyr for you here in this dark land, but now the mob is gone.” The power still filled my being, until I could do nothing but worship God. The native Christians came up. They said they had seen the people run, and heard them exclaim that fire fell from Heaven and burned them, until they could endure it no longer, and they had to run. I did not see the fire, but felt it burning in my soul in a mighty way.

At The Farm

I preached and sang until midnight, and still the people begged me to tell them more “good news” as they called it. Truly it was good news of great joy to those poor people who had so long been under the heavy yoke of the enemy. There was a family of fifteen, also several hired men, besides about twelve travelers who had stopped for the night. They had only one room. When I told them I could not preach any more that night, but must have some rest for my body, and a place where I could lie down, they all went into the room—family, travelers, hired men, some thirty people in all. They took two young calves and three small deer with them, also several hens with their little chicks.

I decided not to sleep with all those people and animals in that room, with no ventilation—as the adobe houses are built without any windows. I told them to fix me a cot outside in the corridor. They said wild animals came at night, and I must not sleep outside. But I decided I would almost prefer being eaten by wild animals to being smothered. As I insisted, they put a cot for me outside, and I did not awaken to see whether any wild animals came. If any came, they did not molest me.

Arising next morning I ate my breakfast off of banana leaves, then gathered the family for prayer. How the power of God did fall and fill every hungry heart! After prayer I told them I must leave them, and return home. We gathered our blankets together, and climbed into the ox cart which had been brought to carry us to the railroad station. I was too tall for the cowhide covering, which was intended to protect us from the sun, so I sat in the back and let my feet hang down over the end, and so rode to town. We sang and talked all the way, about the love of Jesus. Several times we stopped at houses by the roadside and preached to the people, giving them tracts and Bibles.

A large crowd was at the station waiting for the train. I went to the platform and spoke to the crowd. They asked me to give them Bibles and tracts. Some of them were members of the mob which the night before had been ready to kill us for coming into their town to preach the Gospel.

We arrived at Leon very tired and needing rest. But there were so many to be ministered unto and the needs were so great that I went right into the meetings, where God blessed my soul and rested my body.

The Lord Rolled the Sea Away

One day a young man who had been in the United States, came to see us. He spoke English well, also had been in different churches and had some knowledge of the Gospel. He came many times to read and pray with us. One day he asked if we would not go to the beach for a day’s outing. We felt we could not spare the time, and it would be too much of a luxury for us. But as he insisted on bringing his machine and taking us, we consented to go and prepared a little lunch. Before going we asked if we might preach to the people on the road. He consented, so we went for the day, taking Bibles and tracts with us. Many were the precious souls to whom we spoke about the Lord Jesus, giving them the little printed messengers. Our hearts were moved with compassion as we saw the extreme poverty of the poor people out in the country, with no one to love or help them. The roads were almost impassable and the heat was intense, but at last we saw the white-caps dashing up against the shore, and felt the cool breeze from the ocean. We stopped some distance from the water and walked down to the beach. Many Indians were there. Some could not speak Spanish, but had a sign language. We spoke to all who could understand us, and they told the rest about the Gospel, for although they spoke Spanish, they also understood the sign language.

There was a dressing place for bathers and a stand where refreshments were sold by the Indians, who could not speak Spanish. I sat down in the shade while the rest went bathing in the surf. Suddenly I was startled by the screams of my daughter, Alma. She and the young man were quite a distance out in the breakers. They were drowning, and calling for help. I saw them go under. My husband was trying to reach them, but the strong undercurrent took him down also. I prayed and called on God to save them.

Running to the Indians, I tried to tell them to run with a rope and save them. I could not make them understand, but suddenly began talking in tongues, with signs, which I afterwards learned was their language. They told the young man that I had implored them to help save my daughter, husband and himself. They ran to help Alma and the young man, but they could not be seen. I started in that direction calling on the Lord to save them. The sea rolled up in a great heap, and there they were on the sand. How it all happened I cannot tell. But I know the Lord rolled the sea away, and they were saved. They were filled with water and Alma was sick. But the Lord soon delivered her. The young man knew the Lord had saved them from death. He was an expert swimmer, but could not swim in that strong undercurrent, which had drawn them so far out before they realized the danger.