Chile Conference by J. W. Westphal

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 4, 1910

Chile Conference

By J. W. Westphal

J. W. WESTPHAL

This conference, the first that has been held in the south, was held at Gorbea, March 25 to April 3. It was the largest meeting Chile has ever had, about one hundred fifty being present more or less of the time. As there is no church at Gorbea, all came to devote all their time to the meeting, and this resulted in a good, regular attendance. Besides the writer, Elders N. Z. Town and A. N. Allen attended from abroad. All the Chile laborers were present.

The outside attendance was not large. Elder F. H. Westphal and the writer each held a meeting among the Boer colonists three leagues and a league and a half respectively from the city. We think the way is open for further work among them.

On the first Sabbath the funeral of a Boer sister from South Africa was held from our place of meeting, Elder Westphal preaching the sermon. Before the conference closed, her husband and children began to observe the Sabbath. In all, eighteen persons were baptized, the largest number ever baptized at a single conference in Chile. The meeting was a success in every way. The counsels of Elders Town and Allen were appreciated, and the former's assistance in planning for the book work will materially assist in its healthy development.

The Chile Conference had made progress during the year. The membership had increased about one hundred. The income, including tithe and all donations, had increased nearly one thousand dollars. The tithe was $2,308.41 gold (nearly $11,000, pesos chilenos), an increase of $480.55 gold over the previous year. Not so many papers were used as during the previous year, but the book sales were much larger.

A resolution was adopted accepting the invitation to assist in raising the $300,000 for institutional work in foreign lands, and 534 chilenos (over $100 gold) was paid or promised. A fund was begun to assist sick canvassers. Several hundred pesos was pledged, besides promises of monthly payments.

A fund was started for the purpose of building a meeting-house in Santiago, and 1,165 chilenos ($250 gold) was promised. The conference decided to endeavor to raise 2,000 chilenos by means of Sabbath-school donations during this year. Last year the donations were over 1,700 chilenos. In these enterprises the brethren took an active and enthusiastic interest. The conference by a unanimous vote supported the recommendation of the union conference to unite the west coast printing work with the River Plate press at Florida, Buenos Aires.

The old officers were re-elected, and the number of the conference committee was enlarged to seven. There is prospect of a prosperous year in the work before the brethren in Chile. Harmony reigned in all the deliberations; and if this continues, it can not but bring the blessing of the Lord into the work.

Buenos Aires.