Barriers Giving Way by W. A. S.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1914

Barriers Giving Way

By W. A. S.

BUT a few years ago it seemed very difficult to develop an interest in the city of La Paz, capital of the inland South American republic of Bolivia. High on the roof of the world, Bolivia opened its doors to Protestant propaganda only recently. In our own work, while many personal friends had been won by the medical missionary work done by Brother and Sister F. A. Stahl, the real open door for this message was difficult to find. Brother I. Kalbermatten told us in La Paz only three years ago how he had prayed, and visited, and scattered the publications, seeking to find hearts really in earnest to study Bible truth. Sometimes in his anxious search he would sit down on a bench in the central plaza, or square, of the city, waiting for some stranger to sit down on the same bench, whom he might approach in conversation leading up toward suggestions of Bible study. Then came the first soul to lay hold of the truth there, a Spanish sister who had acted as translator in open-air work for the Indians. But the Lord has not one or two, but many souls in these regions; that we well know.

And now the word comes from Elder W. R. Pohle that there is a breaking down of barriers. During the last season Elder Pohle has been holding meetings, preaching the message, and it is the preaching of this message and the laying siege to communities with it that brings the results in every field. Elder Pohle writes:—

We have begun our meetings in our new hall, with a good interest. Some nights the hall has been inadequate. Lately, however, the attendance has dropped off, owing to the distraction of the war situation. Some of the other societies are beginning to fight our work. Formerly they thought that we were a very quiet people, and now they feel that we are very much alive; but we have done nothing more than to preach the message. The Sabbath question is being agitated all about La Paz. In the town of Achacache the people are waiting for us to teach them the truth, but on account of the interest here in La Paz I have not been able to leave. A man from there writes that they have a meeting place all ready as soon as we can use it. The truth is that he has been waiting for me to come since the middle of last June. I hope to go there soon, as our work is now being bound off here for the time being.

“I warrant you,” Brother Pohle pleads, “that if you would give us two more men now, you would not hear a cry from this field for some time to come.” He and Brother Otto Schulz, who is director of the colporteur work, and Miss Claire Wightman, are the only foreign workers now in Bolivia. Again and again we see these results coming. A few years ago Peru seemed a solid wall before us, but the messengers have gone in, preaching the Word, scattering the publications, teaching the truth, and there is a lively interest in Peru that our brethren know not how to follow up with their feeble numbers. The Word itself makes its way through all the barriers.

These things, reported from all parts of the world as well as from South America, are a signal to us to enter the open doors. As never before, the Lord calls upon us to pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth reapers.

W. A. S.