Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-08-21
A Baptist Missionary Who Has
Lived There for Years.
He Returns Alive and Well to Relate
The Results of His Efforts-Im-
presslons of the People.
Some Respects in Which the Mexican is Supe-
rlor to His Anglo Saxon Neighbor.
Progressive Country.

zETTE man yesterday afternoon, and he
proceeded to look up the possessor OF it.
DR.. Powell turned out to be pleasant
gentleman, still young in years. whose
full brown beard does not hide the
swarthing effects of the rude sun of the
land of the Montezumas.
Eight years ago when the Southern
Baptist convention (the same body which
met in Fort Worth last spring. met in
Richmond, Va, ! was cent to and given
charge Of the Baptist mission work in
that country.
Previously 1 had been doing the
Lord g work in Texas. For two years l
was pastor at Mineola. For five years l
acted as superintendent of Sunday school
mission work in this state.
"FOr eight long years l have labored
among the Mexicaus.
''Now l am on my way to Europe and
Palestine, taking a trip of pleasure to
recuperste my lost vitality and energy,
the while visiting such places
OF interest as have read of
and became familiar with in books of
travel, science and religion. This is the
first vacation l have had in thirteen
years, although the missionary workers
Of our church are granted leaves of alb
sence every five years. -
In answer to questions the doctor said:
"Our efforts in Mexico have met with
great success. During my residence
there l have baptised 500 people, organ
lied twenty churches and tablished two
colleges, one for young women and one
-Or young men. The colleges are both
ut SaltillO. That for girls makes
speciality Of preparing young ladies for
teachers, and n roster of seventy
well equipped graduates in the six years
the school has been operated attests the
success of our work. This year thirteen
graduated, and there are not thirteen
other teachers on the whole Mexican
frontier. We have the best ladies COL
lege in the country outside the City of
Mexico.
"The MeXicans are alive to the value
Of schools and education. They are apt
scholars. The people come forward
nobly to the support of educa-
tiOnai Institutions; i'll fact, the larger
portion of the funds for the main
tenanCe OF our college has been fur
ushed in Mexico, notwithstanding it is
termed a missionary enterprise. Ex-
Governor Madero of Coahuila is one of
our most liberal patrons. He is now in
Europe. He is president of our board OF
trustees.
How do you get along with the Mex
lean people aud officials?'' asked the
GAZETTE man.
"Splendidly. The officials are at all
times ready to give us every protection.
II anything of disagreeabIe nature &C.
ours they are ready TO remedy it. l have
never had occasion but once to 20
1,TFr, "a. n,
and that was the outcome of trouble with |
another denomination. President Diaz |
at once rectifed the wrong. We have |
perfect religious liberty, complete sepa- |
ration of church and state, and |
rs an American 1 have nothing |
that l can complain of. l have been |
treated kindly, and no American who |
will attend to his own business will be !
moested. If he meet with a trouble
some minor officer he has only to apply |
to the Mexican officials to have his grew |
ances rights President Diaz and his !
administration are disposed to live on
friendly terms with the United States and |
American interests.
"Do you find the Mexicans responsive
10 your efforts 1t conversion" was
asked.
- find that we are accomplishing
fully US much or more than the
same amount of effort expended in
tins country; and while of course
there are certain opposing elements
vet we meet with no difficulties that
would not be met in the United States.
The Mexicaus make good church men,
bers, aud will compare well with the
people of the same rank
here. We take four collec-
tons each week, and nobody stays away
from service oil that account, notwith-
standing as a people they are quite
poor. -
Are your adherents in Mexico mostly
Of the poorer classes?''
mot specially. For instance one of
our foremost co-laborers, q teacher in
our ladies' college, teacher in
our Sabbath school, is the author OF the
series of text books used in the public
schools and the editor Of the state
paper"
The state paper! What is that?''
1t is the government organ. Tho
state maintains it at the peoples ex-
Dense and the EDITORS salary is paid out
II the public treasury.
you have probably Travelled much in
Mexico aud had numerous adYentures,"
suggested the reporter.
Yes, have Travelled a great deal in
lie country, Ny territory embraces
i've states, and frequently l make trips
over the mountains as far as $50 miles
rom postoffice, drug store or physi-
nan. l always go unarmed. l am
never molested. l make one point here
n favor of the Mexicans: When l
ONE over into Texas and put up
It hotel l always deposit my money
With the landlord. Last ear in San
Antonio hotel q thief got away with my
money and pants. Now l leave my
money with the landlord. so that If my s
ANTS are stolen will be able TO buy an :
ther pair. But in Mexico l never fear !
hievery of that kind. 1t is extremely !
are. have never lost single article ,
that way. I
was once thrown in prison near the /
fontier. 1 was kept for three days and {
men sent TO Monterey. This was the /
olng of man prejudIced against Amer I
'ans and incensed against me because I
ad baptized two of his sisters-i law 9
nd their families; and it was merely
zeal matter. 1 thought at first Z
nat / would call on the Uni /
ed States to sustain my claim 8
or damaged but decided to do nothing {
the matte J, as they had shown me r
ueh kindness aud attention 1 could not !