p. 11 | Experiences in the Indian Work by F. A. Stahl

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 7, 1916

Experiences in the Indian Work

By F. A. Stahl

F. A. STAHL

I am glad to report progress in our part of the field. There is a good interest in all the places where our workers are, and other calls are still coming in. The prefecto, with the mayor and head school director, paid us a visit the other day, and stayed overnight. More than one thousand Indians met them, and the prefecto was very much surprised to see so many clean Indians. He remarked over and over that had he not seen it, he could not have believed it.

The visit of the prefecto will do our mission much good. He told us to go on with the good work, and that he would do all he could for us. He was much impressed with the school work, and said that he was glad that we had started a work in Peninsula. He wrote each of our four teachers there a card of encouragement.

He told us to make a town here at Plateria, for it would be a help to other people to see a town run on the Christian plan. The people of the towns about us do not know what to think of this visit of the prefecto, and the Indians all about have taken a great deal of courage from this visit. They are now saying among themselves that even the authorities are favoring this work. I tell them that the head authorities do favor Indians' leaving off their drunkenness, and vices.

I had quite an experience at one of the largest towns a few weeks ago. I received a call to attend a very sick man one night about midnight. Horses had been sent for me to use. I felt impressed to go at once. We made the eighteen miles in three hours and a half. As I entered the door of the patient's house, I was met by a man who told me that it was the vicario, the head priest, who was very ill, and he hoped that I would not refuse to help him.

I told him I should gladly do all I could for the sick man. I was introduced to him, and I must confess that I was surprised, for I recognized in him a priest who had tried to do our work much damage, only a few weeks before having incited the Indians to kill us.

I went to work at once, however, to relieve him, and by the blessing of God had him out of pain in a short time. I then advised him to go to Arequipa for surgical attention. He and his friends were rather surprised at this, but said if it was necessary he would go. I told them that it was necessary, and that delay would be fatal. They at once sent out men to gather about thirty Indians, as the priest would have to be carried thirty-eight miles to Puno, the nearest railway station.

While they were making preparations, I was very busy treating others, and I cared for over twenty-five. I was sent for by the best people of the place, and went from house to house as they called for me.

In the last house, where I was called to treat a very sick woman, I received another surprise. As the servant opened the door, a man approached me and asked if I remembered him. I confessed that he had the best of me, that I did not remember ever having met him before. “Well,” he said, “I am Mr. ——. Five years ago I was subprefecto in Puno, and you and another man called on me.” I did remember him then, but he had greatly changed in looks as well as in actions. He was the man who shook his fist in the face of Elder Westphal and myself about five years ago. We had called on this man in the interests of our Indian work, and he became very angry and told us that he would do all he could to hinder our work for the Indians. I had lost sight of him all these years, as he was removed from his post shortly after our visit with him. When he told me who he was, I was very much surprised, and told him so.

He said further, “I am the man who refused you help at that time and got out petitions against you and your work.” I nodded, for I remembered well. He went on and told me a great many things that I did not even suspect he was guilty of. Finally he said, “Now I know better. In fact, for a long time I have wanted to tell you how sorry I am, and have wanted to visit you, but each time my courage has failed me, and I have gone by your house.” He finished by hoping that we would not entertain hard feelings toward him, as he was our friend now, and had been for some years. I assured him that I was glad to meet him as a friend. I told him that naturally at the time I felt sad, but God had prospered our cause, and now I was glad to find in him a good friend. He then told me how very ill his wife was, and asked me to help her. I left medicines and an outline of treatments to be followed, and have since heard that the woman is better.

As I returned to the house of the sick priest, I gave thanks to God for his loving-kindness in thus turning the hearts of the people to help his work. The priest asked me to do him the special favor of accompanying him on his journey to the railway station, adding that he would pay me well. I told him I would help him and go with him to see him safe on the train, but that I was not after his money. “O well,” he said, “that is all right, but it is no more than right that I should pay!” We made seventeen miles the first day, the Indians carrying him on their shoulders.

The next day we stopped at our mission, as we had to pass by it. He spoke to all our workers and wished us success. After a little rest we went on, arriving late, having made the journey of thirty-eight miles over the rough roads in less than two days. As we passed through the villages on our way, the people stared at us in open-mouthed astonishment, to see the hated evangelist with the vicario, and even riding his horse. They could not understand it, and some wondered whether I was the prisoner of the priest, or whether the priest was my prisoner.

As I helped the priest into the train, I heard people remarking what a wonderful thing it was that the evangelist was helping the priest. I afterward received a letter from this man, saying that he was better and had arrived just in time to receive help, and that the doctors had verified my diagnosis.

These experiences are encouraging to us, and we are thankful that the Lord is turning all to the advancement of his work.