p. 11 | Venezuela by MRS. S. A. OBERG

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Feb 25, 1915

Venezuela

By MRS. S. A. OBERG

MRS. S. A. OBERG

HASTENING out on deck for a first view of the South American continent and seeing only a bank of clouds along the horizon, one of our party inquired of a fellow passenger, “What is every one looking at so intently?” “Why,” he exclaimed, “we are looking at the most wonderful coast line in the world! Look up higher.” And there, high in the heavens, the mountain peaks were pointing upward to their Maker, and seemed to bid us learn a lesson from this chance remark. God would have us “look up higher.”

We were delighted to land, but still more delighted to leave the hot, steamy port of La Guaira, which we soon forgot, as we were charmed by the wonderful panorama of mountains and sea while being carried on the little railway up the precipitous face of the mountain. An English author has said that the conductor stands on the last car and whispers his orders to the engineer as the train turns the many curves, but we were too busy trying to see into the bottoms of the ravines beneath us to prove the truth of his assertion. After an enchanting hour we had climbed the thirty-two hundred feet to the top of the pass, and were soon surrounded by the hills that guard the beautiful city of Caracas.

Such delightful air and such beautiful views! It is a pity to leave them and go into the usual home of the city. With an idea of safety and practically no knowledge of sanitation, the houses are built in the manner so common in these countries, the free circulation of air impossible, and scarcely a room where the sun shines even a few minutes during the day. The patios, or inclosed yards, in some of the larger ones are the most pleasant part of the house, being tiled with mosaic and filled with beautiful shrubs and flowers, but the houses themselves are not of costly material, being nearly all of mud. The walls are from one and a half to two feet in thickness, and are plastered. For these houses we must pay from forty to seventy-five dollars a month.

The little company of believers left in this city by Elder F. G. Lane had been without help for over a year; but thanks to the faithfulness of Brother and Sister R. E. Greenidge, our self-supporting medical missionaries here, in calling them together for worship, nearly all were in attendance. It seemed best to spend some time in study with them, for their encouragement, and that they might learn how more clearly to tell their neighbors the important truths they believed. To this end a special meeting was held each Sabbath afternoon, in which old and young took part, some learning how to read aloud in a pleasing way, others to give short Bible studies, and all were free to give friendly, helpful criticism. It was both surprising and gratifying to see how soon many, even young boys of twelve and fourteen years, were able to give “a reason of the hope.”

No effort has been made to interest the public in our meetings, for we must have a secure place upon which to stand before making such an effort. A mother and two daughters had become interested, through our other believers, and with two others desired baptism. After careful preparation in study we met to celebrate this ordinance at dawn on Sunday morning, about six weeks ago. Just as the first rays of the sun were making the mountains and valleys, with their

hurrying clouds of mist, things of magic beauty, these dear ones consecrated their lives to serve Him who rose on the first day of the week, and in whom is our hope of life eternal.

We had planned to begin our literature work with the health book, the Spanish “Practical Guide,” but after five months of waiting for the first order to be filled, it seemed necessary to begin with what we could; so with the blessing of the Lord a beginning has been made on a subscription list for the Senales. There are many difficulties confronting the colporteur here. To do successful work he should possess his own means of conveyance from place to place.

The work itself is passing through most trying times, and will continue to do so until the mission owns its own place in which our believers and interested ones may meet to study the Word. Many landlords refuse to rent to Protestants; and now, having been compelled to take a house in bad repair because it was the only one we could get, and having spent twenty dollars in the most necessary repairs, Brother Greenidge being at an additional personal expense of from twenty-five to thirty dollars to install his bathroom plumbing, we are so soon compelled to vacate the house because our Catholic neighbors object to our presence among them. When they found that such conduct as throwing missiles through the window was not discouraging, they adopted a more certain method—having the landlord expel us.

Now we are all homeless, that is, have only uncertain, temporary quarters. But most of all, we grieve that we have no place where all our believers may meet on the Sabbath. They love the Sabbath services. It is no sacrifice to them to attend meetings. We are praying that God will soon give us a more certain abiding place, for this is not the first time such things have occurred.

Neither can one man develop the growing interest here in Caracas and the colporteur work. Now the church work is neglected, though the members are faithfully doing what they can. May God lay the burden of the waiting souls here heavily upon the hearts of those who should go, and those who should give.