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MEXICO

The Mexico Agency was established in 1878. It covers the Republic of Mexico. The circulation of 1913 amounted to 23,369 volumes, largely in the Spanish language. Since the establishment of the Agency a total of 833,929 volumes have been put in circulation. Nine hundred and eleven towns and villages have been visited. The Agent is Mrs. F. S. Hamilton, 3A Tacuba 14, or box 1373, Mexico City, Mexico.

T seems to be impossible to introduce the report from Mexico without referring to its troubles and difficulties. Affairs were certainly no better off at the time of receiving this report for the year 1913 than they were when we presented the report of 1912. Then we said, "Everywhere confusion has reigned!" Now it is right to say, "Confusion is confounded!" Mrs. Hamilton was unwilling to leave the republic until explicitly ordered so to do. On the 6th day of May she left Mexico City for Coatzacoalcos, and thence by way of Vera Cruz came to the United States. The Agency still continues its work, however, its headquarters being open in Mexico City as usual. The story of the year is one of advancement over the preceding one, in spite of almost insurmountable difficulties. Mrs. Hamilton writes:

One could not well write of the Bible work in Mexico without referring to the political conditions which have existed throughout the year 1913. Early in February the discontent which had so widely prevailed through the previous year culminated in what is now known as "the tragic ten days" (la decena trágica). On the 9th of February Gens. Felix Diaz and Bernardo Reyes entered the capital expecting to take undisputed possession of the palace and citadel. This coup had been cleverly prepared, but the guard which had arranged to deliver the palace to the revolutionists had been changed during the night, and the new guard suddenly opened fire on the troops as they approached the palace. This fire swept the plaza and more than two hundred peaceful citizens were killed, besides such soldiers as did not at once fall back to the citadel, which they entered, headed by General Diaz. The ten days' fighting for the possession of this arsenal finally resulted in the imprisonment of President Madero and VicePresident Pino Suarez, and by a most unexpected turn in affairs Victoriano Huerta, Madero's most trusted general, was placed in the presidential chair ad interim, with the understanding that the leader

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of the revolt, Felix Diaz, should have the presidency as soon as the country should be pacified.

The assassination of President Madero and the Vice-President five days later was a shock to all civilized nations, and proved to be a bad political blunder, drawing contending parties together in common cause against the Huerta government.

At the present writing, in the early days of 1914, the country at large is in still worse condition than a year ago. President Huerta remains in power and has maintained order in the vicinity of the capital, but bandits and revolutionists have held sway in most of the northern states. This being the case, the fighting having been general all over the country, it may readily be seen that such colporteurs as have been able to pursue their vocation have done so under the most trying circumstances. Travel by horseback has in every case been abandoned, because horses have been common prey for both parties, Federal and rebel, and where either came across a good horse it was at once seized. Travel by train has also been nearly impossible through all the northern part of the country, and, indeed, for more than a year it has been difficult to get books into most of the northern states. Some of the men have been without books for more than six months and all attempts to send them have failed.

Various mission fields have been abandoned by the missionaries, so that many of the "correspondents" who formerly aided in the distribution of the Scriptures have left the country, and the work that has been accomplished has been chiefly carried forward by the faithful little band of colporteurs. Of these, although thirty names appear in the list, only twenty have worked throughout the year.

Notwithstanding the many obstacles, the Bible work has been greatly blessed, and a gain over the distribution of the previous year is noted. The men who have been able to work at all have felt that much depended on them, and the very difficulties and dangers have spurred them to renewed efforts. However, that there has been appreciable gain over last year's distribution is chiefly due to the splendid work of the Rev. A. H. Sutherland, who, leaving Mazatlan in March after a six months' trip through the principal cities of twelve states and territories, sailed for Lower California and spent four months working in the towns lying along the eastern or Gulf coast. There, in practically virgin soil, he sowed the seed of the Word, distributing during the trip 2,268 copies of the Scriptures. He says he is sure he met more than half the people in the territory, leaving not a house unvisited in any town. He found an unusually fine type of people in Lower California, well built, cordial, and generally liberal in their views.

In the first town he visited he encountered an intensely bitter sentiment against priests in general, because of the immoral behavior of two who had been driven from the town, and such was the hostility that the actual incumbent hardly dared leave his home, and orders

had been given that no woman was to enter his house. This being the case, the people seemed glad to meet the colporteur with his Bibles, and a large crowd attended a Bible conference he held one evening to explain the nature of his work. After this he made excellent sales.

In the next town he visited, in the house-to-house canvass, Mr. Sutherland invited the people to attend a conference in his rooms. Many accepted gladly, but suggested that he find a larger and more central place. Presently, after selling a Bible in one house, the owner came in, proving to be the municipal president. As soon as he heard Mr. Sutherland's invitation, he insisted that the conference be held in the City Hall, already seated and lighted. So Mr. Sutherland gladly changed his plans, going back over his route to make the announcement, and in the evening had a large and attentive audience, to whom he presented the religion of the Bible, begging them to accept it, and "with God's Word in their lives and homes, faith, hope, and charity in their hearts, to be useful, happy, and prosperous citizens for the upbuilding of their country." As a result of this and a second conference held the next night many Bibles were sold in the town.

From the next place, Santiago, Mr. Sutherland wrote as follows: "I then came on to this place, where I think the Lord must have some important work to be done, because the devil has tried so hard to discourage me and run me off. I am learning as never before to look with favor on opposition and other difficulties as indicating that the devil is scared because he knows that the man has come with the Book that inaugurates another kingdom than his-a Book that seals his doom. If he didn't fear the Bible so he'd pay little attention to the man who comes bringing it to the people.

"I'll not worry you with a history of this opposition here and now; suffice it to say that the devil overreached himself. I have already been invited by the leading citizen to give conferences in his own residence. These conferences are stirring the people so that the news of them precedes the colporteur, and when he arrives the first thing they ask is if he is not going to hold a conference.

"Here I was interrupted," continues Mr. Sutherland. "Sitting here writing, I heard an earnest voice reading in the store adjoining the office. Suspecting what it was, I went and stood quietly in the doorway. There, reclining on the counter, was the head clerk of the establishment, with the blessed New Testament open before him, reading St. Luke's account of the crucifixion of our Lord, and about twenty men were leaning on the other side of the counter, sitting on boxes or standing with uncovered heads, listening in profound silence to the reading. When he finished all eyes turned to me as the one to speak to them. I took up another Testament (for I had books there on the counter so that all coming to the store on this holy day should see them), and opening at John 3: 16, asked the clerk to read that verse, which he did in a fine, clear voice; and then, the Spirit being

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