TAKING A STAND

Tests of integrity came early to Maria and António Cordeiro, who were entirely isolated. They cut off their association with the Catholic Church. When the priest visited their parents’ home he ridiculed António and Maria for refusing to kiss the cross. On religious holy days, to avoid trouble, they would leave home early and go to the woods, spending the entire day reading the Bible and the Society’s publications.

Young António realized he would have to stay at home until he became of legal age. So, according to his parents’ wishes, he obediently worked daily in the fields, but at night he studied the Bible with his sister, taking advantage of every opportunity to tell others the good things he was learning. Yes, how thrilling to say ‘endurance had its work complete,’ for years later, both these young persons were among the first regular pioneers in the country.