p. 12 | The Aymaran and Quichuan Indians by F. W. Stahl

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 14, 1915

The Aymaran and Quichuan Indians

By F. W. Stahl

F. W. STAHL

We rejoice to see the growing interest for the high and noble things of life among these Indians. There are nearly four million of them. Naturally, they are a strong, healthy, and happy people, but the universal use of alcohol and coca is creating terrible havoc among them.

The ruinous effects of alcohol are well known; we do not have to travel far to see its baleful results. The effects of coca (cocaine) are terrible in the extreme. It robs man of his intelligence, of his comprehension. He loses all desire for cleanliness, and its use brings him lower than any beast. Couple with the coca the use of alcohol, and you have human wrecks of the most miserable and hopeless kind.

As the Indians are being enlightened, and taught the truth about these evils and their inevitable results, the large majority are giving up their use. Many times, as we are teaching them, we hear them exclaim, “Oh, would that I had known this before!”

Now in the localities where these people have been taught, instead of the bacchanalian feasts and dances, there is an air of quiet industry. Instead of the wild curses, there is praise to God; and there are far fewer fatherless and motherless homes. To God be all the glory for this change.

The encouraging part is that these people want to do right. Not a week passes but persons come to us from great distances, seeking the way of truth. Today as I was writing this letter, a man and his wife came from afar, and

wanted to learn God’s way. Last week a man came with his whole family, and wanted us to pray with him that they might be enabled to live clean lives. He asked if it is a sin for them to sell alcohol or coca. Of course we had to tell him that it is. They came four days’ journey.

Many calls have come in and are still coming in, that teachers should go to the villages and teach the way of salvation. We are so few here that we cannot begin to answer these pleas for help. We send in calls for help to our Mission Board, but the answer comes back, “There is no money in the treasury to support more workers in the field.” Oh, that God will touch the hearts of some to help with their money, so that messengers of truth can be sent to these needy, pleading people!

Think what a blessed thing it will be to meet some one in the kingdom of God who is there because of the money that you gave so that it was made possible to send a teacher who taught him the better life that is in Christ Jesus. Jesus says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Puno, Peru.