En Route to South America
By Frank H. Westphal
We have almost finished our journey to England, and after twenty-four hours we shall land in Liverpool, if the Lord is willing. We have had a pleasant voyage so far, and none of us were seasick. The sea was as smooth as a lake in fair weather. If the journey from Liverpool, England, is as favorable, we shall be very thankful. We have crossed the water once, but the greatest part of our journey still remains before us. Our party consists of Brother William Steele and his wife and my family. We number seven in the party. We are bound for the west coast of South America. Although our voyage so far was very pleasant, yet there was a sad occurrence connected with it. After we had been nearly three days on the voyage, a man fell overboard. It was at dinner time, and nearly all hands were engaged, when suddenly the cry was heard that a man had fallen overboard. The ship immediately stopped, and an earnest effort was made to save the drowning man. Lifeboats were let down. The ship made two or three circles where the man fell, but all was in vain. There was a man standing at the railing when the man fell into the water, and he might have thrown out a life-line. There was a buoy near him, but he did not think to take it and throw it into the water in time to reach the drowning man. He simply cried to others to help him. When he saw that the drowning man could not be found and saved, he was filled with remorse. He accused himself bitterly. “O,” he said, “had I but thrown out the buoy, he might have been saved!” He said that the man stretched forth his hands for help in the water. It was impossible to help him after the ship had passed him, for he was left far behind in a very few minutes; and when the ship returned, he had sunk, not to rise again. We finally sailed on without him. This experience has taught me a lesson. Our work is to save the perishing, and there is a dying world stretching out its hands for help. We know that the last cry for help is now being heard, and soon the world will sink, never to rise again. The gospel ship is sailing on, and Seventh-day Adventists are passing many a sinking man and woman and child. Who is throwing out the life-line? We are on our way to South America to teach the message to the people there. Christ is soon coming, and the world ought to know it, and it is our aim that the people of South America shall know it. Will you, dear brethren, simply say that it is right that we are going to South America to work there, and you16do nothing to save the people of other countries? I know that you will not do this, but you will send your means to help the people of other lands as well as those of your own country. I know that God does not require you all to leave your homes and go into the far away countries. Many of you are situated very pleasantly and comfortably in your homes, and it may please the Lord for you to remain in them just now, but you might do the least that you can, and send some of your means into foreign lands to help the work onward. May the Lord bless you, dear brethren, in doing this work. Our address for the present will be Pua, Prov. de Malleco, Chili, South America. We would be glad to hear from any who are interested in the spread of the gospel. A few cheering words would be of great help to the workers.