The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers, vol. 4

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II. Ramos Mexia Introduces Sabbath into Argentina

FRANCISCO HERMOGENES RAMOS MEXIA (1773-1825), 2 Argentine patriot-representative of his country in Pacajes (now Bolivia), and for a time serving in the Cabildo, helping the executive power in the government at Buenos Aires during Argentina’s struggle for independence from Spain-was born in Buenos Aires and received his training at Royal College Seminary of that city. A Scottish Protestant ancestral strain is recorded on his mother’s side back to Maria Cristina Ross y Pozo, but his father was Spanish Catholic. In 1804 Don Francisco married the daughter of a brigadier of the Royal Spanish armies, who was also fiscal governor of the province of La Paz, Bolivia PFF4 920.5

Ramos Mexia 3 himself was a subdelegate of finance, as well as a delegate to the legislature of Argentina, and had a large estate at Miraflores, near Kaquel, south of Buenos Aires. He was also author of several unique treatises, including Evangelio de que responde ante la nation el ciudadano Francisco Ramos Mexia (The Gospel That Is Represented Before the Nation by the Citizen Ramos Mexia), and Abecedario de la religion (The A B C of Religion), both published in 1820. And these were written, it should be noted, in those convulsive days of ecclesiastical and political reform in Argentina which became to him a vivid symbol of the prophesied ruin of all things earthly 4 PFF4 921.1

Clemente Ricci, late learned professor of ancient history in the Buenos Aires University and author of a score of important works on history and Christianity, penned several penetrating monographs on Ramos Mexia. In one of these he is described as a blend of the mystic, or visionary, and the rigid and inflexible reformer bent on following the Bible in its purity, constantly warring against the ecclesiastical hierarchy in its pontifical robes; 5 and citing Biblical texts at every turn. He is called a “man of genius,” and is important as a unique representative of Sabbatarianism in South America. PFF4 921.2

Picture 2: PALATIAL HOME OF ARGENTINEAN FRANCISCO RAMOS MEXIA
Spaciors fkortress residence of Francisco Romos Mexia at tapiates, south o buenos aires, showing the lookouts and beautiful grounds.(inset)portrait of don francisco. In 1820-1821 he blended the geralding of the second advent and the seventh day sabbath.
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