p. 13 | Chile by F. H. WESTPHAL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 29, 1909

Chile

By F. H. WESTPHAL

DURING the year 1908, we put into the field, among the people, one hundred two thousand five hundred copies of our Spanish paper, Señales de los Tiempos, published in Epejo, Chile. These were distributed as follows: in Ecuador, twelve thousand; Peru, twenty-four thousand; Bolivia, six thousand; Spain, twelve thousand; Cuba, nineteen hundred fifty; Chile, forty-six thousand five hundred fifty.

Notwithstanding the fact that the exchange was never so bad, there was an increase in the tithe, it amounting to twenty-two hundred dollars United States money. If the exchange rate had been as it was four years ago, the gold total would have been about four thousand dollars, which would have made the conference nearly self-supporting. We hope that the exchange may be better this year.

About seventy-five were baptized and received into the various churches, and there seems to be such an interest to hear the truth as we never saw in any time in the past. There is a great lack of laborers to meet the demands, and the many calls that come must be left unprovided for.

Our colporteurs worked the field from Punta Arenas, in the extreme south, to Iquique. These laborers were never so equally distributed as during the past year—one each in Iquique and the Pampas; Antofagasta, to the south; Taltal, still farther south; Valparaiso, Santiago, Concepcion, Valdivia, Osorno, and Union, Punta Arenas. The literature which tells the people that the Master is soon coming is being scattered from north to south. Our ministers are few in number, and are more than busy.

The school is only in its infancy as yet. The conference donated some money; and when we consider the means in the possession of our brethren, they donated very liberally to help this branch of our work. Our school should be put on vantage-ground.

Our printing work also should be helped. The message should be given to the cities, and our publishing work must do much to give the light to the people who are in darkness. Every year new Sunday laws are being enacted, and soon our liberties will be curtailed, as were those of the people in the Dark Ages. A few years ago nearly all the business places were open on Sunday, but it is not so now. In Valparaiso, Santiago, and all the large cities the business houses are now shut on Sunday. What does this mean?—It means that the influence of the Sunday movement is extending in other nations. The United States lead in this movement is casting a dark shadow on other nations, and we must hasten to give the last message to this dark world. Let us pray that the work may progress with great energy. Our periodicals and publications should be scattered like autumn leaves in all parts of this benighted land.

We ought to have medical help, also. We should have an Adventist doctor and some Adventist nurses. How far behind

Doctors without diplomas are occupied day and night in visiting the sick. Why should not others be in the field? Let those who have a medical education consider this situation. There is so much disease and suffering that we can not think along these lines without our hearts being touched to pity. We can only pray, Lord, send laborers into the harvest-field!

F. H. WESTPHAL.