River Plate Conference Proceedings
By R. H. Habenicht
THE third annual session of the River Plate Conference was held in the village of Lehman, Santa Fe, Argentina, October 6-16. This was one of the most successful meetings ever held in this field. Although the attendance was not large, it was the most general and representative of any meeting ever held. Nearly every church and company was represented. All apparently came with the expectation of receiving a blessing, and none were disappointed. The evening services were well attended by the citizens of the place, who showed much interest in the truths presented. Three preaching services were held daily, and the time between the meetings was used in visiting from house to house, selling books, tracts, papers, and Bibles. The Lord blessed in the presentation of the word, and before the close of the conference, some had decided to obey the truth. Our own people were awakened by the preaching of the message, and it seemed to rekindle the fire that had long burned so feebly. There is nothing so practical, nothing so life-giving, as the plain, straight truths of the message. The thought of Jesus' soon coming fills the soul with courage, lifts one out of self, and impels one onward, ever onward. The business of the conference was very interesting, and passed off pleasantly. The report of the president showed growth in all departments of the work. Two new churches were received into the conference, and two new companies not yet organized increased the membership, which is now more than fifty per cent greater than it was eighteen months ago. Owing to the fact that our previous conference was held in March, the conference year was short. Notwithstanding this, the tithe was more than one thousand dollars greater than for the whole of last year. As the various needs of the work were presented, the brethren responded very liberally and cheerfully. It was decided to put a printing-press in the school, and arrange for the printing of tracts and books. Several hundred dollars was given for this purpose. Other missionary enterprises were equally sustained. In this meeting we practically saw the first-fruits of our school work, when five promising young men, all students from our missionary training-school, received ministerial license; also several other students enter the field as missionaries and canvassers. The occasion was one of blessing from beginning to end. After the conference, Elders Town and Maas remained to follow up the interest. They report that several others have taken their stand for the truth, and we hope ere the effort ceases there, that a company may be raised up, which will increase the number of the redeemed in the near future. Plans were made to carry on active work in each of the three republics composing the conference; namely, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. The working force of the conference is now five ministers, six licentiates, and ten missionary licentiates. But this force will soon be lessened by Brother E. W. Snyder, who returns to the States. With a field more than one third as large as the United States, and of more than six million inhabitants, our few workers seem but a drop in the bucket. Yet we are of good courage, and work on, praying that the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers into his harvest. Some changes were made in the conference officers. The committee was increased from five to seven members, so that the various fields and departments of work might be represented. The following are the officers for the coming year: President, J. W. Westphal; Vice-President, R. H. Habenicht; Secretary and Treasurer, N. Z. Town; Corresponding Secretary, Sadie R. Town; Conference Committee, J. W. Westphal, R. H. Habenicht, N. Z. Town, J. V. Maas, Arthur Fulton, John McCarthy, and Luis Ernest. We are thankful for the blessing of the past year, and hope for greater blessings during the year upon which we have entered.