We are pleased to report progress in the work in this field. I reached home from Brazil, August 23, after an absence of five months. To economize time and to avoid unpleasant ocean travel, I came across the country by river boat and railway. When another fifty miles of railway line is completed, at which the Brazilian government is now working, and at the present rate of progress, it is said, will require about six years to finish, we shall be able to go to and across the State of Rio Grande do Sul from Argentina by rail. This will save both time and expense. At present the fare by water is about the same as by land; but my love for ocean travel does not seem to increase with experience.
After spending a few weeks at home, during which time I gave several lessons in the school on the early history of our work, its rise, etc., as foretold in prophecy, and attending a ten days' general meeting at Crespo, at which several were baptized, I went to Urdinarrain, October 1, to engage in a tent effort with Brother John V. Maas. Near this place our camp-meeting was held last fall, and an interest was manifested among the people in the vicinity. Since then Brother Maas has labored there considerable. He was preacher, doctor, and nurse among them, and in all, he has done a good work. Two families have accepted present truth, and five persons have been baptized.
We pitched the tent in a small country village among the German-Russians, about ten miles from the place where the camp-meeting was held, and the meetings were continued over four weeks. During this time fifteen were baptized, nearly all heads of families. They took their stand in the face of most determined opposition, and in some instances persecution. As individuals were prepared, we had baptismal service, and thus we baptized five the third Sabbath of the meeting, three the fourth, and seven the fifth. This, together with an ordinance service in the tent the next to the last Sabbath, had no little influence to bring some to a decision. The Lord was especially present on these occasions, and solemn, lasting impressions were made upon hearts. Four of our brethren from Crespo, a long two days' drive, came to assist us during the first ten days of the meeting, and seven from the same place came to spend the third week with us. Their visits to the homes of the people, eating with them, praying with them, studying the Bible at their firesides, and relating their own conflicts and experiences in accepting and obeying the truth, as well as their assistance in the meetings, were a great help. Their sacrifices in leaving home and work for a short time will not be lost. Much more of this kind of work ought to be done by all who love the third angel's message.15
There are four or five others keeping the Sabbath who will be baptized soon. Some others are interested, and we believe they will accept the truth before long. Brother Maas will continue his labors there for a time. Owing to special circumstances, we thought it best to organize them into a church at once. Accordingly, an organization of twenty-two members was formed, eighteen of whom are new Sabbath-keepers. A happier church I never saw. During the last Tuesday of the tent-meeting, we had three meetings during the daytime, at which nearly all the Sabbath-keepers were present. We presented the spirit of prophecy as revealed in the Bible, and connected with this the rise of our work, and our responsibility to carry the last warning to the world. The tithing system, offerings, and health reform were all presented to them. If this church continues to walk in the light, there is every prospect that the Lord will greatly increase their numbers.
This is the first prolonged effort that I had made in a new field for several years, and I enjoyed it much. The message never seemed more clear or dear to me.
After spending the month of December in Buenos Ayres and Uruguay, I will go to the West Coast about January 1 to spend about ten weeks there, since it has been necessary for Elder Ogden to leave that field on account of the serious ill health of his wife. Thus our working force of three or four men among ten millions of people is greatly reduced. That field should be especially remembered by our brethren, that the right person may come to push the triumphs of the cross among its benighted millions. 'The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few.'
