p. 17 | Argentina by N. Z. Town

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Jun 2, 1904

Argentina

By N. Z. Town

BUENOS AYRES.—I have no discouraging word to send. I had a good time at Navarro. Through the influence of an Italian brother whom Brother Leland baptized in Diamante three years ago, an Italian family living in the province of Buenos Ayres, near Navarro, became interested in the Bible. They were Catholics, the wife especially being a very strong Catholic. The brother who interested them had a very limited knowledge of the truth; the most he could teach them was that the seventh day of the week is the Sabbath, and that the beast represents the papacy. But what he could teach them they accepted, and about two months ago this family, consisting of the parents and two grown sons, began to keep the Sabbath. In the meantime, this brother wrote to me, urging that I come to visit these people. When I could arrange it, I went. I never saw people more anxious to know the truth, or more willing to accept it. The mother had an image of the virgin at the head of her bed, and she adored it at all hours. After a few studies, she took down her image. When I presented the matter of outward adorning of our bodies, she could not wait till the meeting closed, but while I was talking, she took out her earrings and took off her gold finger-ring. The father was an inveterate smoker, even smoking two or three times, generally, in bed during the night. He was also a wine-bibber. Acting on the instruction given in Volume VIII of the Testimonies, I drew up a pledge and presented it to them. This the whole family—parents and two grown sons—signed, and since that day not one of them has touched tobacco or wine.

While there, another man and his wife—Italians—became interested. They, too, were Catholics, but they accepted the word gladly. The Sabbath before I left, I had the privilege of burying seven dear souls in baptism—all adults. Afterward we celebrated the ordinances with them. The Lord blessed us in this service. I should have added that in the pledge was included tea, coffee, and mate. All who were baptized signed this pledge. You would be interested

to see the “spoils” that they delivered to me. There was a box of wine, eleven pounds of strong smoking tobacco, a jar of spirits, the mate cup (for preparing tea) that they had used for nineteen years, and two earthen images of the virgin. These all came from one family. They showed a willingness to walk in the light.

Brother McCarthy also reports victories in the north. He has recently organized a church of fourteen members. In another place where he labored, eighteen have accepted the truth. Brother Oppegard reports two new Sabbath-keepers where he is working. In the province of Santa Fe, where Brethren Lude and Dirivaechter are working, two families have recently taken their stand.

N. Z. Town.