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Uruguay, South America

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 14, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 28.

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Uruguay, South America

By John V. Maas

JOHN V. MAAS
The work of the Uruguay Mission for last year has not accomplished all we had planned; still we hope in Him who out of nothing created the universe, and trust some day to see results from the efforts put forth.
We held an excellent general meeting at Colonia, Uruguay. A spirit of renewed consecration prevailed in the meeting, and many plans were laid, one being that the director of the Uruguay Mission should supervise the work of building our sanitarium at Diamante, Entre Rios, Argentina, during the absence of Dr. R. H. Habenicht, who attended the General Conference.
At this meeting we were greatly encouraged by the arrival of Sisters Meda Kerr and Frances Brockman, nurses, who brought with them a deep spirit of devotion to this cause. On account of their not knowing the Spanish, it was advised that they should attend our mission school in Entre Rios, Argentina, to obtain some knowledge of the language. This left only Brother Julio Ernst to hold the fort.
Soon there came an interruption in our work at the sanitarium. The provincial government prohibited Dr. A. L. Gregory, who was in charge of the medical work during Dr. Habenicht's absence, from practising, as he was not duly authorized. This cut off our last source of income. These were anxious hours. There were workers to be provided for,—two doctors (Dr. G. B. Replogle having just arrived), a nurses' class, and Brother Amando Hammerly and Miss Voris, the two head nurses.
SCENES IN URUGUAY
SCENES IN URUGUAY
It was suggested that the doctors take charge of the manual work, allowing me to return to Uruguay, taking Brother Hammerly with me to Montevideo, the capital city, with three hundred thousand inhabitants—one fourth the entire population of the republic. At that time this large city was without a living witness for the truth, so this move answered a crying need. Sisters Brockman and Kerr came with Brother Hammerly's family, arriving in Montevideo on April 29. They at once met opposition from a lady physician who is much prejudiced against our work; but the Lord turned even this to a blessing, and from the beginning these nurses have had a good degree of success. In his efforts for the poor, Brother Hammerly found those who would listen to the truth, and at present several persons are interested in the message, and we hope soon to see them take their stand with the people of God.
The writer then visited the churches and companies and isolated members, canvassing at the same time. Many thanked me for giving them an opportunity to buy our books. One merchant where I stayed overnight bought “Christ Our Saviour,” saying, “I am a Catholic, but I have no confidence in many things taught by the church.”
About this time we received word from Brother J. W. Westphal to resume the work of building the sanitarium at Diamante, so I returned the latter part of June, remaining until September 10. During this time Brother Ernst devoted his time to canvassing. Soon several students from the River Plate Academy came to spend the vacation in canvassing. These we accompanied for several weeks. Then, loading my cart with books, I again started to make a visit among the brethren, canvassing as I went. On this occasion I came again to the Catholic merchant, who at once invited me to remain overnight. He asked if I had any more books such as I had sold him before, as he wished to give one to his sister. When I showed him “Coming King,” he at once bought it with the other, saying, “The work you are doing is the need of the age.”
During the last eighteen months the Uruguay Mission has taken one thousand copies of our Spanish missionary paper, La Verdad Presente, arranging with a rural publishing company to send them to the addresses of their subscribers. In the first number we placed a supplement calling attention to the importance of the paper, and in the third number another, asking them to subscribe. Then we sent to other addresses for three months, the paper being a monthly. Thus in one year we reached four thousand families. This effort did not bring the desired result in subscriptions; but as one passes through the country, he notes the change in the attitude and feeling of the people toward our work.
At present we have three vacation canvassers. Prof. C. D. Lude, from our school in Argentina, is working in the interests of the Missionary Volunteer work and canvassing most of the time. The nurses are also doing an encouraging work with the new Spanish health paper, Salud y Vida.
Our most urgent need now is some equipment for our medical missionaries. It seems too bad not to be able to treat the sick, and demonstrate the divine principles of health which the Lord has given us, for lack of everything with which to do. We need three or four thousand dollars to put up a little home for our workers, with necessary treatment-rooms.
We earnestly ask an interest in the prayers of our brethren for wisdom and complete consecration.
Nueva Helvetia, Uruguay.