AFTER our visit among the churches near Crespo, my brother and I made a trip to the eastern part of the province, where he and Elder Maas had been working. The Lord blessed their efforts, and a church of about twenty-five members has been raised up. Some of the members had been rescued from strong drink and the use of tobacco. There was a shout of joy from such. At the close of our meeting at this place, nine precious souls were baptized. They were mostly young people. We expect to see some of these at the school the coming year, to prepare themselves for missionary work.
At the close of this visit, there were still two weeks before our general meeting would be held, and I spent the time in visiting several of the churches in the province of Santa Fe. These had accepted the truth under my work a few years before, and it did us good to meet again. Our principal efforts were now made for the young people. Four of the youth gave their hearts to the Lord, and were baptized. We were pleased to see that the interest and courage of these churches had not abated. Some of the members had suffered severe trials of their faith; but their endurance and faithfulness have made them strong.
We next met for our general meeting at Lehmann. It was indeed a blessed meeting. There were representatives from Uruguay, Paraguay, Buenos Ayres, Entre Rios, Santa Fe, Cordoba, Chile, Corrientes, and the school in Entre Rios. Others will report this meeting more fully. From the very first, there was an earnest desire on the part of all to draw near to God. God was true to his promise that if we seek him with all the heart, he will be found. The preaching was highly practical, as well as doctrinal. The evidences of Christ's soon coming were deepened in each heart. All seemed to be glad that the Saviour will soon come. Every one in attendance expressed the desire to do all that is possible to bring the knowledge of the soon coming of the Lord to the attention of the people. We were glad to see this genuine missionary spirit taking hold of our people. It means that something will be done. If all those who know the Lord were genuine missionary workers, how soon could the gospel be preached in all the world!
Several of those who had attended the school were recommended to enter the field as licensed ministers and missionaries. All who were present were glad to see these devoted young men offer themselves for service. We were glad to give them an opportunity to enter the field to improve their gift and save souls. Some of these were sent to Paraguay and Uruguay, and others to Corrientes, Buenos Ayres, Santa Fe, Entre Rios, and Cordoba. We pray daily that their work may be successful, and that the Lord may go with them and give witness13that he has called them to the gospel ministry.
At the close of this meeting I started on my journey to Chile. My family remained in Argentina until the close of the school year, as my son is attending school in Entre Rios.
We were favored with pleasant weather when we left Montevideo on board the “Orita.” The ship was crowded with passengers. There was a large number of nuns and monks. Some were going to Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, and others to Chile. These are from France. They are all teachers and professors, and have had to leave France or give up their profession. We ought to hasten to occupy the field before it is filled with agents who are bitterly opposed to the truth.
On our way to the Falkland Islands the weather grew colder from day to day. The islands looked bare, as the winter was just passing away. These islands belong to Great Britain. The English language is spoken. There are about three thousand five hundred inhabitants. They are engaged in sheep raising. One of our workers—Brother Nowlen—visited here a few years ago, and sold a number of books. Otherwise nothing has been done for these people.
Soon we entered the Straits of Magellan. The scenery was very beautiful. The hills were all covered with snow. It was the first time that I saw snow in South America. In the early morning we passed Punta Arenas. This place, with the surrounding country, has about fifteen thousand inhabitants. There are German, English, French, and Swiss people living here. Brother Nowlen traded many books for skins of animals and birds here at one time, but I think nothing more has been done for the people. There is room for work.
The beauty of the scenery increased as we went farther along. The hills were a little more elevated, and still covered with snow. The fleecy clouds hanging about them as the sun rose made a more beautiful picture than anything I had ever seen before.
There was a happy surprise among the sailors, as well as the passengers, when we steamed into the great Pacific Ocean, as it was as calm as a lake in fair weather. It is usually very stormy. Several boats have been destroyed in the storms. The snow-capped hills were in sight for at least one hundred and forty miles from Cape Pillar. There is little to be seen on the west coast until we reach Coronel. Here we stopped to take coal. We spent the day there. Some of the passengers went ashore, but came back somewhat disappointed with their visit to the place. After a ride of about four hours, we reached Talcahuano, a place of about ten thousand inhabitants. This city has a very fine harbor. Many of the Chilean navy boats are kept here. It is a good shipping port. One thousand tons of cargo were taken on board during the day.
Friday, November 4, we arrived at Valparaiso. Much of this city is built on the sides of the hills, but the business portions are largely in the valley. Brethren Steele and Thomann met me, and helped me to the shore with my baggage. I made my home at Brother Steele’s while there.
Friday evening we had a meeting. Quite a number were deeply interested in the truth. One Catholic family has lately begun to keep the Sabbath. They were driven out of the house that they had rented, because they left the Catholic Church. Brother Balada is holding meetings here now. On the Sabbath I spoke to the brethren. In the afternoon, with Brethren Thomann and Balada, we visited some of the church-members. Quite a number desire baptism, but they still have advance steps to take in order to be ready for that ordinance.
STRAITS OF MAGELLAN WEST OF PUNTA ARENAS
On Sunday we visited another family, whose only daughter had recently died. I could sympathize with them; for we had an experience like that ten years ago. This family is not keeping the Sabbath, but is somewhat interested. We had just entered the house when there was an earthquake. I thought of a time when, as the disciples prayed, the earth moved where they were assembled. God shook the earth at that time, and so he gave us an evidence of his power. This was my first experience in an earthquake. First the house trembled, and then it was lifted, and swayed back and forth, and then trembled again. Those who were with Brother Steele and me ran to the door and opened it. I asked them why they did this, and they replied that when an earthquake occurred once before, the people failed to open the doors in some places, and the houses sank down on the doors, and they could not be opened, and thus the people were shut in to perish. What a terrible shaking of the earth there will be when Jesus comes, and the islands shall not be found, and the hills and mountains shall vanish. How good it will be to see the dead come forth out of their long resting-places, and be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.
Before that great day shall come, we need to give to all the world the warning that it is near. There are but few laborers, and the field is large. The Lord says that we should pray that more laborers may be sent into the field. We need a school to educate workers here in Chile. Some of the brethren in the States donated a little for this purpose. I turned that, with some money that was given me in Argentina for that purpose, over to the secretary here. It amounted to one hundred and twenty-one dollars and three cents, North American gold. This is three hundred and sixty-three dollars and nine cents Chilean gold. The pledges of the two brethren in the States, of one hundred dollars each, with some pledges from Argentina, I turned over to the secretary also. This money should be paid to the treasurer of the Mission Board in Washington. If there are any who wish to help in this work, they may send their money to the Mission Board, telling for what purpose it is to be used. This should be stated definitely.
To-morrow I shall go on the frontier, where we shall meet the Chilean Indians. We shall need much grace to preach the truth to them, as well as to the many thousands of Germans and Chileans living in that part of the country. Remember the work here in your prayers, and with your donations.
