p. 13 | Two South American Schools by J. W. Westphal

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 19, 1912

Two South American Schools

By J. W. Westphal

J. W. WESTPHAL

[To be helped into stronger service by the Sabbath-schools on December 28.]

The River Plate Academy, Argentina

THE River Plate Academy was not started because the brethren wanted an institution to operate. The necessities of the situation called it into existence. A brother from Uruguay came to our brethren in Entre Rios, Argentina, where he supposed there was a school. He had a great burden to assist in proclaiming the last warning message, and he had come to make the necessary preparation. This caused the brethren to see the necessity of doing something at once, and this was the beginning of the academy. This brother was the first native ordained to the work of the gospel ministry in the River Plate field. He has been the superintendent of the Upper Parana Mission, and is at present an esteemed laborer of the Argentine Conference—a product of the academy.

Except the means which the few brethren in the field, generally very poor, could give, there was no money with which to purchase land or material, and build. Those were days of sacrifice and hard work. Minister, student, and layman turned brickmaker, mason, hodcarrier, and carpenter in order to supply the most meager facilities imaginable to carry on the school. Through the years since, as the attendance has increased and we have been urged on to enlarge, the means procurable by our best efforts have never been sufficient to do more than supply the most absolute need.

LADY STUDENTS AT ARGENTINA SCHOOL, STUDYING IN THE KITCHEN, MAKING USE OF THE KITCHEN STOVE TO KEEP WARM

The self-denial of our brethren, the teachers, and the students of the first years of the institution, has had to be exercised since. As Israel of old in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem wrought with the trowel in one hand and the sword in the other, so the teachers and students have had the instruments of labor in one hand and their books in the other all these years. Much of the building has been done by student labor, frequently gratis.

The occasion of starting the school is the best evidence that it is needed. Our young people can not go to other lands to get their training. The difficulties of language and customs make it either impossible or unwise; and yet it is on the shoulders of the young men and women of these lands that the burden of this work must be placed. If the people of South America ever hear this message, it will be because workers thus fitted will proclaim it to them. The only way the problem can be solved is by means of missionary training-schools on the ground; such as the River Plate and Pua schools. In the end it will also be found much more economical than to import all our laborers.

Already most excellent results are seen from our schools even with these meager facilities. The superintendents of the Ecuador and Upper Parana Missions, as well as some of the most esteemed laborers in the Argentine Conference and in other fields, are students from these institutions. The excellent canvassing records made in South America during the last few years have been made by our students, a number of them making scholarships. Our schools are doing an important part in spreading the message and evangelizing South America, as these results show; therefore, we may safely support them and place them in a condition to work to advantage.

With the exception of about four thousand dollars, all has been raised in the field to build up these institutions. Those acquainted with them will say that fifteen thousand dollars is a small amount to give them the needed help. South America will do what it can for them. We now solicit the assistance of our brethren who have always been so ready to respond to the calls of the needy.

The Adventist School in Pua, Chile

The influence of Seventh-day Adventists is being felt in this country. An article appeared in one of the leading daily papers against Protestants, and Adventists were mentioned first on the list. Another article, written by the archbishop of Santiago, Chile, and published in one of the leading daily papers, stated that Catholics must watch the movements of Protestants, learn where they live, where they have their meetings, and what class of books and papers they circulate. They were instructed to learn the titles of those books and papers, so that they could be denounced and opposed effectually.

We need to be up and doing and prepare an army of young people to enter the field before our hands shall be tied. Most of the young people who offer themselves for the work need to be educated before they can be successful workers. Many bright young people hardly know how to read. They need to be educated in language, history, geography, and Bible in order to meet intelligently the more educated people. The Adventist school in Pua is the place to impart such knowledge. But the fact that it is so small and poorly equipped makes it most difficult to carry on its work. The school looks to the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering, the last of the year, to provide us with the money to put it on vantage-ground. The school should be an honor to our work. Our Sabbath-schools can make it an honor to the

cause, but this depends on the liberality of both old and young. If we lift and lift together, then there will be results that will redound to the honor and praise of the Master. Surely, dear brethren, there is need of lifting, but if it is left to a few tired workers in Chile, then we do not know when it will be done.

The thought that we are going to get help from our brethren in the home land buoys us up, and we forget any weariness by the way. We take hold of the work with renewed courage and hope. We feel that we are very near our eternal rest and home. This world is growing darker, and the evidences stronger that it is not our home. So let the means come in, that the Lord may not be disappointed in the South American Union Conference.

Nogoya, Entre Rios, Argentina.