A Brief History of Our Work in Ecuador by J. W. Westphal

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 8, 1915

A Brief History of Our Work in Ecuador

By J. W. Westphal

In the year 1904 the first effort was made to give present truth to the people of Ecuador. At that time Brother T. H. Davis, of California, settled in Ambato, and began to sell our literature in various parts of the country. Toward the close of the year 1905 Elder G. W. Casebeer arrived, and Ambato being a convenient center, he also settled there.

About that time Ecuador was set aside as a separate mission field. After learning the Spanish language and remaining more than two years, Elder Casebeer was called, in 1908, to Chile to become principal of the school at Pua, and Brother William Steele was sent to take his place in the Ecuador Mission. In the meantime Brother Davis's wife died, and he was called to take the oversight of the canvassing work for the entire west coast, making Chile his principal field of labor; and a young Chilean brother and his wife were sent to Ecuador, he to labor as a canvasser. Brother Steele and this worker made some progress in giving the message, but toward the end of 1908 Sister Steele became seriously ill, and it was necessary for them to leave the country.

Elder W. W. Wheeler was then called to this mission field, but he also had first to learn the language. Nevertheless he succeeded in effecting an advance in the work during the time that he was in the field. About the year 1910 Brother John Osborne arrived and began medical missionary work with canvassing. Soon after, the headquarters of the mission were transferred to Quito, the capital, the workers dividing their time between the coast country and the highlands, according to the seasons.

In 1912 Elder Wheeler was called to the River Plate Academy as Bible and history teacher, and the vacancy was filled by sending Elder Santiago Mangold from Chile. During that year all the believers in Ecuador were organized into a church at Quito. In the latter part of 1913, Sister Mangold died of yellow fever, in Guayaquil, her death being the second one among our workers. The graves of these workers testify to sacrifices made to give the message to Ecuador.

At the South American Union Conference held in Montevideo in 1914 several changes of laborers were made which affected Ecuador. Elder Mangold was invited to labor in Peru, and it was recommended that Elder C. E. Knight and wife labor in Ecuador, he to fill the vacancy made by the transfer of Elder Mangold. They arrived in Quito in June of the same year, and were soon followed by Brother Henry Mangold, who arrived in August to take the oversight of the canvassing work. About that time two native workers were added, making the number of laborers six at the close of 1914.

J. W. WESTPHAL.