Chile by H. F. Ketring

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 7, 1904

Chile

By H. F. Ketring

IQUIQUE.—Our work is still onward in this great field. Our courage is good; for we ever remember that our Heavenly Father sees and knows all about our work, and the difficulties under which we are compelled to labor.

Notwithstanding our greatly reduced conditions, our work has made some advancement during the past year, for which we praise God. During the year twenty-three were baptized. The total number of Sabbath-keepers in this field is about one hundred and eighty-four, nearly all of whom are in Chile.

Our force of laborers actually engaged in the work is reduced to three, two others besides myself. Comparatively speaking, we have scarcely made a beginning in Chile; Peru and Bolivia we have simply touched with the tips of our fingers; while we have not yet looked over the line into Ecuador. Neither shall we ever be able to do so unless we receive help.

We have earnestly pleaded with the Mission Board to send us some help, but how could they send us that which they did not have? We have hoped, and still hope, to see some laborers come to help us; for what can I do, the only American laborer in the field, with only two to help me? [As has been announced, laborers will soon start for this field.] Our brethren in this field are doing nobly to carry the work. Our eyes many times are moved to tears as we see them deny themselves of the necessities of life in order to share in the work of carrying this truth.

During the past year they have contributed in tithes, $663.61; in week-of-prayer offerings, $85.82; in First-day offerings, $25.77; in miscellaneous offerings, $245; and in Sabbath-school offerings, $52.98; total, $830.63, or $4.50 for each member. When we consider that in this country a man earns only about one fourth as much as in the United States, we can see that most of these people are honest in paying tithes and offerings.

I am sure that if you could see our situation as it really is, several churches would band together and say to the Mission Board, “Find a man that the Lord wants on the west coast, and send him, and we will support him there.”

The week of prayer is already past with you. As yet we have not heard how much has been given, nor whether we can expect more help. Our week of prayer begins April 2, and will continue till the ninth. We shall have the same readings in the Spanish, and shall do all we can to make it a real week of prayer among our people.

Our courage is good, because our hope is in the Lord. We shall press the battle to the gates, believing that in our last extremity our God will not forsake us, but will send re-enforcements so that we may be able to snatch from the enemy’s camp all the “prisoners of hope” that we may find. Pray for us.

H. F. KETRING.