p. 18 | Chile by MILLIE E. STEELE

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 19, 1908

Chile

By MILLIE E. STEELE

SANTIAGO.—We rejoice in the rapid progress of the work in other foreign fields. We know something of what it means to be a foreign missionary, although in our field we do not have to battle with many of the hardships that our brethren meet with in other fields. Yet we, too, have our ups and downs. Nevertheless we are happy to be counted worthy to have a place in the Lord's vineyard.

If every Seventh-day Adventist in the home land could taste for a few months the joys and sorrows, and feel the cares of those who have gone to less-favored lands, how willingly and eagerly would they give of their means! If they could realize the needs as we do, a call for means would never need to be repeated.

There is so much to be done to educate the people, but, alas, it is the money and workers that are lacking. Why could not many of us with God's help, practise a little more self-denial in the matter of dress, and in many other ways, and resolve to give the surplus into the treasury of the Master? I am confident that by so doing we might add many dollars to the fund for missions. The Lord would abundantly bless our efforts, and we would find that it is indeed more blessed to give than to receive. God is saying to each one of his children, “Make me an offering.” Shall we do it? “There is that scattereth, and increaseth yet more.” Prov. 11:24-26.

There should be no retrogression on our part. We should push forward with all energy, for the night is very near. While we are deliberating what we shall do, the enemy is busy sowing tares, and that which we might reap may be lost.

Here in our field the work grows slowly, for much of the seed falls in the highway. Yet we thank God for the results we see. During the year 1907 the number of converts was nearly double that of 1906.

The headquarters of our work have been moved from Valparaiso to a place called Espejo (mirror), a suburb of Santiago. We find many inconveniences, yet we hope with God's grace to overcome them. A more Catholic place could not have been found; some evidently thought that a Protestant was the evil one himself, and some were even afraid to pass the house without running. If the Lord had not gone before and raised up one or two believers, we should have found it impossible to get any one to do anything for us. Many crosses have been made in the mud wall of the house, and a five-pointed sign, which these poor people believe will cause the devil to depart.

We have been here nearly two months, and already we can see that the people are softening. A few have come to the meetings that are held in our house. God's word will not return unto him void, and we see evidence of this day by day.

MILLIE E. STEELE.