When we began evangelistic work in the cities of north Brazil several years ago, it soon became apparent that the illustrated sermons were inadequate to instruct thoroughly a semiliterate audience. But besides difficult transportation facilities and lack of Bible instructors to conduct studies in the homes, there were still other problemss. Prejudiced neighbors can produce a truly unpleasant atmosphere for a Bible study. Here the houses are placed in solid rows, each sidewall being the sidewall of another home. 2. A reader who is incessantly "shooing" chickens and pigs or tending children cannot concentrate. 3. Readers who have never even seen a Bible, and are quite illiterate become embarrassed in their effort to locate references, even with the aid of the instructor. 4. Many work away from home all day and can only attend studies at night.
The Bible class solves all these problems with a single stroke—no giggling neighbors, no pigs, chickens, or crying children, and no references to find. The illiterate are not embarrassed, for no one is asked to read by himself.
The lessons are brief, consisting of about eight or ten questions. The accompanying answers are direct quotations from the Scriptures. The "core" of each answer is printed in red ink. A successful procedure is for the evangelist to read the question, after which his assistant reads the answer in a clear, loud voice. All the "pupils" have a copy of the lesson in hand, and follow the reading with attention. The evangelist repeats the same ques tion, whereupon all repeat that part of the answer printed in red ink in unison.
The lessons we use are only ten in number, but they serve as real bracers when the new-found faith is under attack in the home or at the factory. It is a comfort to be able to point to the answer, and say, "It is written."
We begin propaganda for a permanent literature list about the third night of public meetings. One person in each family may leave his name with us to receive an "honor card" bearing his name and a number. This assures him of a copy of everything that will be distributed, including a series of beautiful lessons printed in two colors. We enlist every family represented. When several members of the same family ask to be enrolled, they are always accepted.
We have learned of several honor cards that have been used as identification for securing traveling permits, and as character references. Many of them are carried in billfolds for years.
The Bible class begins during the third or fourth week of the campaign, and is held twice each week. On class nights the regular illustrated serial on the life of Christ is presented in the middle of the song service in the usual way. To avoid losing time with a roll call, the Bible instructor is seated at a table near the entrance to record the matriculation numbers of the honor cards as they are presented, and to dispatch the lessons. Thus we know exactly who attends each night, and especially on class nights. When some one misses a class period he is visited the following day, and if possible, the lesson is studied with him.
There are only ten lessons in the series, and all the topics are so arranged as to appear about three weeks after they have been given by sermon. The tenth lesson deals with the subject of baptism, and on that night a list is compiled of all present who wish to prepare for this sacred rite.
The following class night those present are in vited to bring Bibles. A large sheet containing all the cardinal points of doctrine, with accompany ing proof texts, is given to each one. Our church members are advised to seat themselves among the new ones and help them find the references. A full month is required for the study of all the passages.
At the bottom of this large sheet there is an impressive baptismal vow, enshrined between two appropriate pictures illustrating conversion and baptism. Below the vow are lines for the date and signature, and a line for the minister's signature. This becomes a cherished document to be framed and hung in the place formerly occupied by the patron saint. It serves as a testimony to all who enter the home.
It might be added that the Bible class does not dispense with home visitation. But brief friendly visits can be made under practically all circum stances, whereas Bible studies require a degree of calm and quiet conducive to clear thinking.
Our lay workers are also using the lessons in winning souls. Recently I found two families deep in the forests of Maranhao practically ready for baptism as the result of studying the ten lessons.
