The Inca Union Mission by E. L. MAXWELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 11, 1915

The Inca Union Mission

By E. L. MAXWELL

E. L. MAXWELL

ON making up my mid-year summary the other day, some facts presented themselves that I thought would be of interest to the brethren “back home.” I will pass on a few.

Most of the work in the territory of the Inca Union Mission has been done in Peru. Therefore the greatest results are here. Up to the time of my arrival, Sept. 22, 1913, there were 187 members enrolled on the church books of the four local missions. This, of course, was the net active membership at that time. The seed sowing had been going on for ten or twelve years. Thousands of dollars’ worth of literature had been sold, and the foundations well laid for a substantial work. God, who watches over his work, has certainly given us a good harvest.

Between Sept. 22, 1913, and Aug. 1, 1915, a period of twenty-two months, there have been added by baptism in the various fields, principally in Peru, 238 members, making to date, with the 187 that we had when I came, 425. According to the reports I now have, there are at least fifty persons ready and waiting for baptism at various places in the interior and along the coast, and at Puno some also in Ecuador and Bolivia.

We are glad to report the arrival of Brother C. V. Achenback and wife, who will work in Puno and Plateria, among the Indians, and of Sister Millie Sauerwein, who will join the force in Bolivia. We need more help for Ecuador, and one or two more workers for Peru. We could use a number in the Indian work.

Just a few days ago we had our first baptism in Arequipa, a Catholic stronghold. Six were baptized. A father and his two daughters went forward after many months of study and prayer. The wife and mother, who is still a Roman Catholic, wept bitterly at the time of the ceremony, and opposed the step, so much so that it was feared the police would prevent it. But it seems the policeman became so absorbed in the novel ceremony that he forgot his authority, and everything passed off pleasantly, except for the crying and sobbing of the poor woman, who no doubt thought that her loved ones were sealing their perdition.

So many interests have sprung up in the central table-land section of Peru, that it was thought best to locate some one up there to look after them. We have asked Brother R. B. Stauffer to accept this place, and he will go there at once. Land has been offered us for a mission center, such as the one we have at Puno; but we have no one to take charge of it. This land is three days’ journey from the railroad, and it is not possible for Brother Stauffer to live so far from the railroad and attend to the colporteur work. A man and his wife, nurses preferred, able to teach the truth as well as care for the sick, and having a burning desire to devote their lives to this work, are needed for this section, which is so far from the ordinary channel of communication with the world.

One of our workers, Brother Bartolome Rojas, has been very sick for some time. Although he is better now, he is not yet out of danger. Otherwise we are all enjoying reasonably good health, and are of good courage in the work.