Revival in the River Plate Academy by H. U. Stevens

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1916

Revival in the River Plate Academy

By H. U. Stevens

THE annual meeting of the board of managers of the River Plate Academy held in the month of August of the present year, was one of rich blessing, and proved to be the means of a deep spiritual revival in the school and sanitarium. The occasion was one of special interest and importance. Evidences are numerous that the work in South America is taking on an intensity of activity which it has not known before. The Lord has shown himself ready to answer prayer abundantly.

We had been planning for months to conduct a series of special revival services for the young people in connection with our institutions. The opportunity came when the leading brethren gathered for the annual board meeting. A deep sense of our need of divine wisdom in dealing with the affairs of the school strengthened the longing for special help at this time, and all lent themselves with one accord to seeking the Lord with intense earnestness.

At the first meeting of the board it was decided to hold evening meetings for the public, at which special efforts should be made to help the young people who had not already found the way of life. As far as possible, all business in connection with the board meeting was to be laid aside, and the members were to be present at the services. Elders O. Montgomery and R. T. Baer were asked to lead out in the meetings and to carry the principal burden of them. It was further decided that the first hour of the morning session of the board should be spent in prayer and consecration.

From the beginning, the deep movings of the Spirit of God were manifest, and a number of young people came forward to renew their covenant with God. After the people had left the meeting, it was suggested that the matter be taken to the Lord in special prayer, asking that he work mightily for us, that he follow the people to their homes and make effective the effort of the evening, and that he touch the hearts of those that were hardened. The workers who had remained and the pastors mentioned above gathered in a small room, and spent an hour or more in pleading with God for victory in the name of Jesus; the names of certain ones for whom work had been done but who had made little or no response in the past, were especially mentioned. These were again remembered in the morning prayer service, and also just before the evening meeting. The second evening the Lord came especially near, and the workers rejoiced to see all for whom they had prayed and many others seeking help. This was considered a victory, and a special answer to prayer.

The interest was followed up on the Sabbath. The special program which had been prepared for that day was postponed. In the afternoon an experience meeting was held, at which a note of victory was heard in each testimony. Some had taken their first step, many had renewed their covenant of consecration and sacrifice to God and to his cause, and all had obtained a new vision of their responsibilities and opportunities in the finishing of the work in this part of the vineyard.

The last night of the meeting six young people signified their desire to be baptized. Thus the Lord has already rewarded the effort put forth in behalf of our youth.

In Camarero there is, perhaps, the largest body of Seventh-day Adventist young people in South America, and they are here for the purpose of being trained for service in connection with this closing message. The Lord has shown himself merciful and ready to bless abundantly. The workers in our institutions are anxious to follow closely in his steps, so that many of these youth may be able soon to take their place in the forefront of the battle to help finish the conquests of the cross. To this end pray for the work here.

H. U. STEVENS.