p. 17 | The Upper Parana Mission by Arturo Fulton

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 8, 1909

The Upper Parana Mission

By Arturo Fulton

FROM a letter just received from Elder Luis Ernst, superintendent of the Upper Parana Mission, which consists of the republic of Paraguay and the territory of Misiones, Argentina, we learn that the work is going forward there. He says:—

“The ninth of December I left home to visit the churches of the Upper Parana. The following day I arrived at Hohenau, Paraguay, and found the brethren of good courage. I remained over Sabbath, and then crossed the river to Corpus, where Brother Francisco Taborda has been working among the interested ones, with the result that four were baptized and added to the church. This church now has thirty members. Brother Taborda accompanied me on a visit to the other churches in Misiones. Arriving in Itacuarare, on the Uruguay River, we remained thirteen days, working for some whose interest is due to the faithful efforts of Brother Pedro Malaquias. This brother is nearly blind, and can not

see to read. He works, however, among the people with the texts of Scripture he has learned by heart. Surely the Lord knows how to make use of the humble. It was cause for rejoicing to see the interested ones decide for this precious truth. We baptized eleven in this place. On this trip we also visited some isolated members whom we met for the first time.”

Brother Ignacio Kalbermatten also writes of the work in Villa Encarnacion, Paraguay: “There are now two brethren baptized here, and five are keeping the Sabbath. The interest increases every day. Sabbath we had a blessed meeting. Fourteen persons were present. In the afternoon at the close of the service, we had a testimony meeting, and all took part, two for the first time. One expressed a desire to be baptized, and the other said, ‘From this day, I am resolved with all my heart to go with you in this faith.’ These two brethren had heard the truth some years ago through the brethren in Posadas.

“The Lord is hastening his work in the earth. We are near the coming of the Saviour in the clouds. Souls that bear the truth decide in a few days, and leave off their vices at once, giving themselves to the Saviour with the whole heart.”

The brethren in this mission are doing their best to advance the truth. Good, solid work is being done. No half-way stand is taken, and no compromise is made with the vices so prevalent in that part of the country. The brethren are mostly very poor. Last year a much-needed tent was purchased for that field. Several hundred dollars is still due on this. Are there not some of our brethren at home who would esteem it a privilege to aid them? Naturally a generous people, they have already given far beyond their means.

ARTURO FULTON.