A Special Message to the Sabbath-Schools by MRS. MARY T. WESTPHAL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 12, 1912

A Special Message to the Sabbath-Schools

By MRS. MARY T. WESTPHAL

MRS. MARY T. WESTPHAL

[An appeal for the Pua Training-school, one of the schools to be helped by the special Sabbath-school offering, December 28.]

OUR hearts were made glad to-night on receiving word that the Sabbath-school donations for the thirteenth Sabbath of the present quarter are to be dedicated to the Argentine and Chile mission training-schools for workers. God will richly bless the givers, for the Bible tells us, “It is more blessed to give than to receive,” and the blessing in receiving this assistance just now will be greater than words can express.

I have been connected with the Pua, Chile, school the past two years, and wish to present to you some of the great needs. The class-rooms are on the first floor of the building, and the dormitories

occupy the second, third, and fourth floors. With a little more expense, these can be finished off and made comfortable, but the students’ rooms need furniture. The dining-room and the kitchen are in a cottage about twenty-five yards from the main building. In the rainy season the mud is very, very deep, and good walks would be greatly appreciated. The dining-room is small. It contains five tables, seating ten persons at each; but there is scarcely room for the waiters to pass to and from the kitchen to bring the food. The sewing class meets in this room, and the ironing is done here. Benches served for seats until this year, when donations were made for chairs.

The kitchen opens off the dining-room, and is very small. Here the food is cooked and served, dishes washed, bread made, and clothes dried in winter. A small room opening off the kitchen is used for dispensary. Here all the food supplies are kept. This whole building would serve well for kitchen and store-room if a new dining-room could be built, or would serve for a dining-room if a kitchen could be added.

Now go with me to the laundry. This is in the wood-shed, and has no floor, and no window. The door must be kept open during wind, rain, or sunshine, to furnish light. A little arrangement of brick serves as a stove. Here the water is heated in two zinc tubs for washing and bathing. The washerwoman stands before a sort of trough made of boards, and with a scrubbing-brush washes the clothes on a planed board arranged slantingly in the trough. There is no place to dry the clothes in wet weather, no pipes to bring or carry away water, and sometimes wet wood must be burned, for there is not room enough to store the winter’s wood. With such inconveniences, it is surprising that a woman can be found to do the washing for forty persons. Yet here stands faithful Amalia, week after week, washing for board and room, less than six gold dollars a month. She goes to several classes, takes some private lessons every day, and takes music lessons. Besides this, she does extra washing and ironing, cleans clothes, and does dressmaking and plain sewing to earn a few extra pesos to give to the Lord’s work. Whenever any one is sick, her great heart and willing hands are ready for service. Added to this, she spends a day occasionally selling papers and taking subscriptions, with good success. On the wall above her wash-tub she has arranged a fixture to hold her book; thus she washes, studies, and sings. In her room, in like manner, she sews and studies. Do you not think she deserves an education? Last year she came out of the Catholic Church, was baptized, and joined us. She could read poorly, and scarcely write. In March she came to the school, and has made wonderful progress.

From the educational fund our conference is assisting a young sister to get an education to teach. Her mother desires to be with her, so does the cooking here in order to buy the necessary clothing and books. This faithful sister bakes the bread also, and has to carry it through rain or sunshine about fifteen yards to the brick oven. This has a zinc cover over it, but otherwise is unprotected. If a small building could be put up which would serve for laundry, bakery, and perhaps bath-room, it would greatly relieve the situation.

Another necessity is a plain coach, or carryall, to meet students, bring out supplies, etc. Our director and others have had many a weary trip on foot to the station, carrying heavy packages. Must we battle another year with this difficulty?

I have mentioned the dark side, but there is also the sunny side. Many rich blessings are enjoyed in the work here, and many things remind us of kind, loving hearts at home which years ago contributed to this, and to the Argentine school, before this was even opened. The dear sisters in College View met from week to week and made many quilts and other useful articles to send here. The brethren contributed of their means to purchase material and pay freight. The church near Mason, Mich., contributed articles also. This bedding and other supplies have been a great blessing to many in the school, and also at our conferences and general meetings. Many kind hands that assisted in this work of love are resting now, but their works follow them.

May God bless you all for the interest you take in needy missions. In the great harvest ingathering you will also have abundant sheaves in foreign lands.