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Bolivia

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 27, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 35.

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Bolivia

By E. W. Thomann

BEING again in Cochabamba, we have begun work anew. The evening meetings are visited by a few interested. We hope to be able to start a Sabbath-school soon. The educated people of the town are friendly toward us; but among the ignorant there are still those who will throw stones after one when he is distributing tracts, or who will act as if they want to buy a paper, and as soon as they get it in their hands, tear it.
I am now canvassing Cochabamba over again with our missionary paper. But many of the subscribers, who would like to read it, are discouraged because of the bad postal service. Usually more than half the papers do not reach their destination. I experience the same thing. For instance, several months ago I ordered three books from the States. I received information that they were sent, but only one reached me, so I had to order again, and ask that they be sent by registered mail. With papers we can not do that. I long to see in each of the larger towns a faithful brother, who might receive the club of papers, and distribute them to the subscribers. I can not do that myself, since I must go from one place to another, making possibly one round a year. I long also to see colporteurs come to work with books. The paper is easier to open a field with, but books are more permanent literature; and, as the canvasser delivers them directly, people are sure to get them.
I expect my brother to come in October, to assist me in the work. We are told that where there is now one laborer, there should be a hundred; so also in Bolivia there is room for many faithful witnesses for the truth. When I read about China, India, Africa, and many other places, where, in proportion to the population, we have still fewer workers than in Bolivia, I hardly dare ask for more for this country. Yet what is one laborer for a whole republic, where threelanguages are spoken, and the most of the people can not read a single letter? I will do my best, but Bolivia needs more laborers. I pray the Lord to send more into his vineyard, and I hope some will come before the eleventh hour is past. Let none of our brethren become weary in praying that the Lord may protect his servants, and bless them in his work. And let us redeem the time, because the days are evil. E. W. THOMANN.