p. 14 | Elder B. C. Haak by J. W. Westphal

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 21, 1915

Elder B. C. Haak

By J. W. Westphal

WITH feelings of deep sadness we report the death of Elder B. C. Haak, the second death of a foreign missionary in our field. For many months we had earnestly called for a man to come to Argentina who could take the presidency of the conference. Just one year ago Elder Haak received the notice of a call to this field, and this he accepted. Anxiously we awaited his arrival, which occurred March 24. Within two weeks the writer resigned, and Elder Haak was chosen president. During the nearly eight months up to the time of his death, he faithfully carried the responsibilities of his office. All, both laborers and lay members, and also others who had heard him preach the gospel message, loved him. Although he had to learn to know the people and the field, and he was not yet able to use to advantage the Spanish language, he did excellent work for the conference. He fitted into the place exceptionally well. With his knowledge of the German language, he could begin his work without delay, for many of our brethren speak German. He was a good preacher, and with his experience in city work, was able to give good instruction and help in a work that was promising great things for us. He had a deep interest in home missionary work, and considerable practical experience as a home missionary secretary, which proved a great help to him and to us. In his hours of delirium this was the burden of his exhortation to our brethren. He was careful and conservative in the expenditure of means, and yet very progressive in pushing on in his work. He was a laborer whom we could ill afford to lose, and whose loss we all feel most deeply.

Elder Haak was born in Winona, Minn., Sept. 8, 1884, and died Nov. 25, 1914, aged 30 years, 2 months, and 17 days. He was converted at the age of sixteen years, and was united in marriage with Miss Elva Hickok in June, 1907. A few weeks later he entered the work as a tent master. During the following winter he had charge of the Portage Plains Academy, in Manitoba. During the summer he again served as tent master. After this he was educational, young people's, and missionary secretary for one year in the North Dakota Conference. After spending another year as business manager and Bible teacher of the Sheyenne River Academy, he was occupied for three and one-half years in ministerial work in the Minnesota Conference, from which place he was called to the presidency of the Argentine Conference.

Elder Haak died of typhoid fever. As another of the workers, a nurse, who also attended the recent conference held in Rosario, was taken with the same disease, it is supposed that Elder Haak's sickness was contracted there. When stricken, he was, with his family, visiting one of our churches. It was at first supposed that he had the grippe, but on the second visit of the physician he pronounced it a very serious case of typhoid fever. Knowing this, he himself had little hope of recovery. A nurse was sent from the sanitarium to care for him. For nearly a week before his demise he was delirious, and was often preaching to our brethren, exhorting them to earnest work in view of the Lord's coming being near at hand. He leaves a much-loved companion and two children to mourn, the latter being too young to realize their loss. The Argentine Conference has suffered an inestimable loss, which again makes the future of the work look discouraging. But we sorrow not as others who have no hope, and we are assured that, though it is yet hidden from human eyes, the Lord will bring deliverance to his suffering cause.

J. W. WESTPHAL.