Ecuador by Thomas H. Davis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 13, 1905

Ecuador

By Thomas H. Davis

THOS. H. DAVIS

WE are now in the middle of the rainy season. While the people go about with a long face, all nature seems to be in her best spirits. The grass grows very spontaneously, and even the frogs show their delight by croaking. There is one kind of frog that sings almost like a bird.

In Guayaquil, during the muddy, or wet, season, all luggage must be carried on men's backs. A few donkeys are still used, but they get stuck in the mire very easily.

While the older people pick their way through the streets, the little boys delight themselves by wading the ditches, and sailing small wooden boats on the pools.

It is very interesting to a newcomer to notice the different customs of the people here. The lower class all eat their food sitting on the floor, the children using only nature's knives and forks. The hammock is considered by rich and poor as one of the most necessary articles of household furniture. It is always hung in the front room, and is used almost night and day. When it is very warm, the squeak of the hammock can be heard on all sides.

Alligators are very numerous, and occasionally some one falls prey to them. Coal is brought to Guayaquil down the river in rafts. One man went to sleep on his raft of coal, and an alligator climbed up and killed him.

The presidential election is just in the past. They take three days for their election—about the length of time taken for any great holiday. I was told several times that one candidate gave to all his voters a revolver and a knife, which seemed to be true. Several persons were shot, among them a woman, who was shot through the breast by a stray ball. Senor Lecardo Garcia, the Liberal candidate, was elected by an overwhelming majority.

The Roman yoke having been broken only a short time, Catholicism has yet a strong hold on the people. They think that all Protestants are masons, and say that the masons whip the image of Christ.

Congress has issued a decree that all convents shall be opened to public inspection. This decree went into effect very recently, causing opposition on the part of the priests.

Now is the opportune time to get our literature before the people. During the last few days I have taken a good list of orders for "Patriarchs." This is the only large book we have in Spanish. Among quite a number of prominent men are several lawyers, on my list. If others of our large books were in Spanish, they could be sold readily. "Great Controversy" could be sold easily with "Patriarchs." One man, the owner of the largest cigar factory here, who speaks a little English, bought two large books in English, and gave me an order for "Patriarchs" in Spanish. This goes to show that if our books

were in Spanish, thousands could be sold. I long for the time when our books in general will be in the Spanish language. That would put the Spanish book business on a paying basis. As it is now, it does not pay financially. Thank God for the few books we have to work with.

There is a scattering of English-speaking people here, and a club of eight or ten Signs of the Times could be used to good advantage, perhaps bringing some into the truth. If some one will send them, I will do the rest.

There is a young man, a printer, in Guayaquil, who is much interested in our work. He has subscribed lately for Life and Health. Now if some one of our young people could send him The Youth's Instructor, accompanied with a letter, it might be the means of bringing him into the truth. His address is as follows: Juan O. Amat, Imprenta El Comercio, Guayaquil, Ecuador.

I am glad to have the privilege of being here in this country, where darkness reigns. The almost innumerable inconveniences we have experienced are nothing to be compared with the blessing that comes from the Lord while we work.

Guayaquil, Ecuador.