A Sabbath Among the Aymaras at Our Lake Titicaca Mission
By F. A. STAHL
F. A. STAHL
The Sabbath is a day of general rejoicing with us at this mission. It is the only day when we can meet with our Indian brethren and friends all together. We make every effort to make this day a profitable one for the Indians. Many come from great distances, and many live among bad neighbors, and some live near those who try to discourage them. So we feel the great responsibility of helping these people to be faithful and loyal. Even if we do not feel well at times because of the altitude, we do not let them know it. We want them to leave the mission happy.
We usually rise early on Sabbath, in order to call on the sick before ten o’clock, the hour when Sabbath school begins. By nine o’clock some of our brethren have arrived, and we can see groups of people coming over the large plain in view of the mission. Some come from over the plain and some from over the high mountains. They come all the way from one to fifteen miles. At ten o’clock sharp the Sabbath school opens. After the review of the past lesson, we separate into six classes. Each class has thirty to forty members. Three of the teachers still need interpreters, and we have three of the Indian brethren teach. We should like many more Indian brethren for teachers, but there are no more who can read the Spanish lesson. For a while we had more teachers. We tried to have them meet with us at the mission two or three times a week to learn the lesson orally, but we found that they could not come regularly because of the inclemency of the weather. But we get along very well. Instead of having the teachers try to bring out from three to five thoughts, we instruct them to bring out one or two, and have the class get these well. The Sabbath school lasts until eleven-thirty. After this, without an intermission, we go on with the preaching service.
The preaching service closes at twelve-thirty. After an hour’s rest the Missionary Volunteer Department occupies the time, the young people taking active part, all the older people staying and enjoying this service also. When this meeting is closed, we have the sick to attend. Some have come a long distance, and want medicine for the sick of their neighborhoods. After the sick have been cared for, the afternoon is well advanced; but there are always some who live so far away that they do not return to their homes until the following day, so we visit with them, helping them in singing or in Bible study.
All the services of the church are held in the open air, as our school building is by far too small to hold the people. We have an attendance of three to four hundred every Sabbath. But we are hoping for better things. We are going to have an organ some day, then we shall be happy. We think we should rather have a good attendance and no building than a poor attendance and a fine building.
We thank God for his great loving-kindness, and that he is prospering this work, and we often think of the blessed meeting we are going to have with our Saviour, and with our brethren from all parts of the great field, when Jesus comes. Remember this work and us at the throne of grace.
We are very glad to add a word to the many encouraging reports of progress in this world-wide gospel movement. The third angel’s message is onward in Japan.
A recent visit of a few weeks to Kagoshima, at the southern extremity of the island of Kiusiu, showed us plainly what God can do for the unconverted. One or two experiences will perhaps be of interest. Our tent was pitched in a favorable part of the city, in view of destructive old Sakurajima, the volcano that has twice put the people of that province to flight. All will remember its eruption of last January. Our attendance was quite good, and some were much interested. Among those who have recently accepted the Sabbath are two young sisters, both of whom are well-educated and capable. They are suffering bitter persecution from Buddhist parents and friends, but have decided fully to obey the commands of Jehovah. They will make valuable workers for their own people.
Two Japanese lads have given their hearts to the Lord. One, Mida-San, though but fourteen years of age, loves the Saviour, and knows what it is to suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake. He is opposed by every member13of his family. An older brother has beaten him twice, but still he holds firmly to his convictions. The other lad, Imura-San, is the oldest son of a widowed mother. Recently, in the absence of the young people’s leader, he took the leader’s place, teaching the little heathen children the songs of Zion, offering prayer, and telling the simple Bible stories, closing the meeting with song and benediction. And this was done by a boy only thirteen years of age, and recently from heathenism. We remember that in the last days God will pour out his Spirit upon the children, and they will teach his word.
At this writing, the forces of this island empire and Germany are engaged in war. In these troublous times do not forget to pray for the progress of the work in Japan.
