Smyrna times., 1888-08-29
For the Smyrna Times
Letter from Rev. VIM. B. Gordon.
THE BIRTHDAY OF A PATRIARCH
IN MEXICO.

On Tuesday last l had the pleasure
of attending a reunion, differing in
many respects from any one ut which
had ever before been present: the
Birthday feast of the venerable Hac-
ienda of Cuaxittai. The Hacienda is
situated on the slope of beautiful hill
at the foot of which flows a rapid
stream fed by never-failing springs, a
rare thing in Mexico, and from the
summit of which is a charming view of
rich fields of maize and rolling pasture
lands, with their herds of horses and
cattle and flocks of sheep and goats,
stretching away for miles and bounded
Oh all sides by the purple mountains.
The home of Sr. Guerrero is in the
State which takes its name from the
great leader of the Mexicans in their
first struggle for Independence-the
Curate Hidalgo.
On the day of the Feast, July 3lst,
we were awakened at A. NJ. by the
discharge of rockets and other fire.
works and the ringing of the great bell
of the Hacienda. Soon there came to
our ears strains of delicious music.
from a mixed band ofwind and stringed
instruments. After playing several
lively pieces they concluded with the
Mexican diana which was an intima-
ton that it was time for all to get up.
Soon we were dressed and out in the
courtyard, where we found the en-
plOyes of the Hacienda assembled and
rejoicing over the happy event.
At 10 A. NJ we gathered in the
unique stone chapel, built by Sr. Guer-
REQ for his people for public worship,
three Ofthe Mexican clergy and l being
in the chancel, and a congregation of
about one hundred persons, consisting
of the family and their servants occu-
pying the nave. How l wish that
every birthday celebration might be
inaugurated as this was with the wOr-
ship of and thanksgiving to Almighty
God By the time the service was
concluded the friends and neighboIs
had begun to arrive. Soon after we
were ushered into the dining-room.
and what feast was spread before us
"The fatted calf had been killed and
barbecued then there was boiled and
stewed and roasted meat of mutton and
kid, and chickens and turkeys in great
| abundance, vegetables and fruits of
various sorts and many kinds ofsweets.
Forty-seven of the family and friends
sat down in the dning-room, and a
much larger number of the laborers
and their families in the courtyard. 1t
was indeed like a feast given by some
| Patriarch of old.
But what l specially wish to draw
the attention of your readers to-, Mr..
Editor, is the character of the man in
whose honor we had assembled, as an
evidence of the power of the Gospel
and OF the reality of our church work
in Mexico, as shown by the fruit it has
| borne in the heart of this man.
Not many years ago Sr Guerrero
was Indifferent to all religion and care.
less of the spiritual welfare of those
around him. One day there came to
his Hacienda a Missionary of our
church, a Mexican, asking permission
to preach there. At first the Sr. re-
fused, but finally was persuaded to give
his consent. He listened, his interest
was awakened, he babe the clergyman
come again, he began to read the Word
of God, he believed and made a public
profession of his faith, ratifying his
baptismal vows in confirmation. From
that time his chief desire has been ia
serve God faithfully and benefit those
who are dependent upon him. To this
end he has built chapel for them and
established a school for their children
in his house.
In the after-dinner speeches the
theme Of all who spoke was his integ.
rity, his purity Of character, his kind
ness and liberality to the poor. I was
particularly struck with the address O,
him who spoke for the Poems. He
said " No one ever came to Cuaxittai
asking for corn or meat and did not gel
it; no one ever came hungry and did
not so away full" May God bless this
His aged servant, and give him many
more years in which to serve Him and
do good to his fellows And may many
rich men in our more favored land fol.
low bis good example.
w. B. GORDON.
MerieO city, dug. 2, 1888.