General Meeting of the South American West Coast Mission
By F. H. WESTPHAL
This meeting of the brethren was held February 18-26. My brother, J. W. Westphal, president, or superintendent, of the South American Mission, was present. His timely counsel and instruction were not at first appreciated by all, but little by little the victory was gained, and the truth triumphed. Some of the brethren thought that a great change in our general organization was necessary, and an earnest effort was made to bring this about. If it had carried, we should now have an ironclad church creed. We can truly say that the truth triumphed in every attack made upon it. Brother H. F. Ketting assisted us very much in the deliberations. He had been superintendent of this field for about two years, having succeeded Brother Ogden in this position. The Lord blessed his labors for the people. We were sorry because he felt that it was necessary for him to return to the United States of America. Brother E. W. Thomann was elected to act as editor of the Senales de los Tiempos and the Revista Adventista, and Brother Wm. Steele was chosen secretary and treasurer of the field. Since this meeting the general interest is deeper than it ever was before, and there is more being accomplished. During the last day of our meeting a spirit of confession came in, and hearts were united. The following resolution was passed:— “Inasmuch as the Mission Board in the United States sent us the light of present truth, and during its first years has sustained the work in this field by means of the funds the Board provided through the brethren in the United States of America, and recognizing that at present we need the same help, therefore,—
“Resolved, That an expression of our thankfulness be taken by this meeting, first, to God, and second, to our brethren in the United States of America for their sacrifices that they have made for us and the work in this field, and we also recommend that this resolution be published in the REVIEW AND HERALD in the United States of America.”
This resolution was unanimously carried. At the close of the meeting the ordinances of the Lord’s house were celebrated. There were brethren present18who represented various parts of this field on the West Coast. When we think of the greatness of the field, and the many calls that are coming for help, we can truly say that the Macedonian cry is heard here every day. There are calls that come to us pathetically, but we must turn them away because of a lack of workers. I know that the resolution that was passed by the brethren here is a source of encouragement to you to continue your liberal donations to this field. It is an evidence that even now you are receiving your reward, but greater shall be the reward when you shall meet these and other souls on the sea of glass. There you will have the privilege of hearing the shouts of joy and thankfulness through the eternal ages. May God bless his people, and make them willing for the Master’s work. The time to labor will soon be over: for the everlasting morning is about to dawn. Pray for the work here.