The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-06-13
VOLUME =XXIV.---NO. 40
Letter from Brazil.
BY REV. j. ". woLL1Se.
Eouthern Christian Advocate,

BY REV. j. ". WOLLISG.
Southern Christian Advocate.
In the tropics, on shipboard, and still
on our way to Rio de Janeiro, On this
2sth day Of April. If all goes we'll, we
will bo into port on tomorrow, thus
making full month since We took the
steamer. We have met nth several
detentions, and, though not serious, they
have heightened our trip beyond the
usual number ofdays. Before ne had
passed the Virginia.capes,Iat 9 o'clock of
the first night, ne ran into heavy lfog
bank. So dense was the fog that light
could not be seen the length Of our ship,
and while stood on the decks I could
hear four other ships sounding the note
of danger. The captain thought it so
perilous that we dropped anchor, contin-
ued to sound the fog horn and "wished
for the day" From there to st. Thomas
suppose all went right with the ship;
my interests were almost strictly per-
sonal and stomachic.
At St. Thomas we went ashore of
course, and were much pleased with the
tropical scenery. We strolled through
the public garden and the streets of the
town, being amused and impressed by the
scenes, so peculiar and unlike anything
in the United States.
In passing through the West Indies,
we came near in to the Island of Mar.
Unique. The view was truly interesting.
The wild mountain scenery, with two
peaks, one 400 feet, the other $500,
towering over us, the deep, shaded coves
and glens, with the beautiful retired hab.
itations seen in most unexpected places,
and the entire view to the highest point
surrounded and covered with the yer.
dure of the tropics. We stopped for q
few hours at Barbados, the most wind
ward of the West India Islands, and then
started over a stretch of 1000 miles to-
the mouth of the Amazon. On the last
night before reaching that notable line,
the Equator, had my last view of the
North star, and viewed With interests
and praise the Southern Cross and other
consultations unseen by the dwellers in
the North. They declare His glory, and
as gazed I could say: "My Fathers
hand hath made them all"
On reaching the coast of Brazil, We
heard the most distressing reports con.
cerning the yellow fever in Rio. So
fearful was the plague that numbers were
taken sick in the streets and died before
aid could be had. The death rate exceed.
ed 300 a day. Except Brother Tarboux
and wife, every member Of our mission
in the city, even to the children, had the.
malady, and, by Gods mercy, they all
survive. Our last notices are that the
fever has nearly disappeared, and we 60.
forward cheerful and trusting in Him.
We were detained three days in the
Amazon River under tropical sun
waiting for the arrival ofanother steamer
of the line to exchange commanders, and
when ne got back to sea nearly every
body on board was sick with malaria.
We suffered much discomfort but no
fatality.
Since reaching Brazil we have taken
on our ship many Legislators on their way
to Rio to the meeting of the "Assembea
Geral." So at our table we have mum.
ber of barons and yiscounts and other
titled gentry. I am very much more
interested, however, in listening to their
discussion IS to the probable actions of
the bodies-the Senate and the House of
Deputies-to which they 60 than in their
various titles. Contrary to law, royal
permit has been issued by the ministry
granting to the Jesuits liberty to return
to Brazil and open monasteries. This
action will be reviewed by the Assembly
in the midst of fierce criticisms, and
along with it will come up the question
of granting absolute religious liberty.
For this Let PRAYER be made, and may the
Lord hasten the day. No doubt the time
hastens when the Church at home will
partake largely ofthe spirit which prompt
ed Christ to die for the world, and real.
ize also that it is the duty, and the
privilege as we'll, of His Church to do
the utmost to accomplish this worldwide
purpose.
We are in good health and walking in
the comfort and hope of the Gospel, and
often dwelling by memory in the midst
of pleasant scenes and associations left
behind.
We reached Rio in due time and find
all our workers getting better but two
days ago Rev. Mr.. Thompson, of the
Presbyterian mission, young man edu-
Gated in Columbia, S. c., and who came
out here two years ago, died Of yellow
fever after short sickness.
In the morning, May Sd, we leave for
the interior.
Rio de Janeiro, May 2, 1889.
a Friendly Meeting.