West Coast Mission Field,
By Frank Henry Westphal
We are sorry to have to announce to our brethren that in the flames that destroyed the Williams' buildings in Valparaiso, November 10, our printing-press, type, and other equipments, with the books of the tract society and furniture of the mission, were all completely destroyed. We know not why the Lord permitted this, but we do know “that all things work together for good to them that love God.” Rom. 8:28. It is not easy to recognize calamities as blessings in disguise. We need to wait and let the Lord reveal this matter to us. Jacob, who was robbed of his son Joseph, knew not why such a great calamity should befall him. He passed several years in grief and deep sorrow, but finally the matter was all made plain to him. What an ecstasy thrilled his very being when he found that Joseph16had been sent to Egypt beforehand, to prepare the way for the support of God's cause in the earth during the seven years of famine in all Palestine and Egypt. It seemed too good to Jacob to be true, but it was true; and when he realized that it was true, and that he would really see Joseph, he was almost overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness. There are many other instances to which we might refer. We are sure that the Lord had his hand in this calamity that befell our printing equipments in Valparaiso. There are now strikes and disturbances taking place in nearly all the large cities, and to be free from the violence of these storms in the cities, it will, no doubt, be well to have our printing plant established in some rural district. Without doubt the Lord is giving us a gentle hint that the better place for our printing plant is in the country. We are, therefore, very much in favor of having it in connection with the school that we wish to start this year. This will give our students the privilege of getting an education in the art of printing, and save us from the high rent we have to pay in the cities. It will also have a tendency to create in the hearts of the students a desire to engage in missionary work, and thus increase the list of subscribers to our periodicals. Some who read these lines may desire to help in our present need; such may send their donations to the Mission Board, stating clearly the object of the donation. The Mission Board will faithfully forward such donations to us. May the Lord bless his children in seeking to do his will, and learning from him what he wants them to do with the means he has given them. A few months before the fire occurred, we insured the mission property for five thousand Chilean dollars, and as there were not many books in the office at the time of the fire, the cost price is nearly covered by the insurance. Our press was a very cheap one, something like the one Benjamin Franklin used many years ago. It served us well for the time we used it, but now we shall need a more modern press so we can print to better advantage. For this purpose we shall need more money. We shall try to raise what we can in this country, but our people here are mostly poor, and can not help us much. With but few exceptions, they live from what they earn daily. Remember us in your prayers.
F. H. WESTPHAL.