p. 17 | Ecuador by Thos. H. Davis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 16, 1908

Ecuador

By Thos. H. Davis

CHONE.—Since the fourth of October Brother Casebeer and I have been out on a missionary trip. We stayed about ten days in and near Guayaquil selling small books and papers with reasonable success. Some who had bought from me a year ago were very glad to have the Señales again to read.

We have been here in the province of Manavi about a week. As the truth has never been preached or books been sold here, we expected to dispose of many papers and books. Our first stop was at Bahia, the second port of Ecuador, and perhaps the cleanest town of the country. The first day's work gave me thirty orders for “Patriarchs,” besides the sale of some small books. Brother Casebeer also sold many books. We are stopping now for a few days in Chone, and are having good success in selling literature, while waiting for the yearly church festival which takes place the thirtieth of this month. On that day many people come from the sugar plantations and cocoa farms, and we intend to put up a box stand to sell books to the passers-by.

Chone has the name of being one of the worst parts of Ecuador. Here all the men carry a long-bladed knife called the machete, which they use as a weapon, as an ax to chop wood, as a knife to cut their food, and for other purposes. It is said that out in the country surrounding Chone more die from the machete than from the fever.

In this town also we are doing well with the books. The first day I took twenty-five orders for “Patriarchs,” besides selling ten or twelve small books.

Fruit, especially oranges, is the largest I have seen in this country, which is noted for its cocoa, coffee, and ivorynuts. The people are very liberal and agreeable, if one knows how to deal with them. They are tired of the Catholic priests, so there are only a few of them, and these are seemingly poor. The people want something better. As we have only a short time to work before the rainy season comes, it seems best for us to spend our time in selling literature, leaving the meetings for next summer.

There are two missionary societies located in this province, but none at Bahia, or Chone, which seems to be the principal port of the country. One of our workers would do well we think at Bahia on the coast. It would be a good location, and in close connection with all towns of the province. We hope and pray that the Lord will soon provide some good laborer. The young people especially wish to learn English. One man here has three sons in the States, learning English.

THOS. H. DAVIS.