The German Work in Argentina by C. F. Neumann

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 5, 1916

The German Work in Argentina

By C. F. Neumann

C. F. NEUMANN

It was in the month of August, 1915, that we were asked to leave the States and take up work in Argentina. We were soon on our way, and after spending some time visiting our relatives in several States, we sailed from New York on the steamer “Vasari,” November 27. En route we stopped at Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Sao Paulo, and Sao Bernardo, Brazil. In these places we met many of the brethren, among them a number of our former schoolmates. We reached Buenos Aires Jan. 12, 1916. From that city we went to La Plata, where the Union Conference was in session, and where we were surprised to find so many former students of “Old Union.”

At this meeting it was voted that we should make Uruguay our field of labor, but by special arrangement we came to the province of Entre Rios, Argentina, and have been laboring among the German-speaking people since March 15.

With Elder G. Block and Brethren R. Hetze and Ernst Ruscher I spent seven weeks near the little town of Larroque in a tent effort. The tent was pitched on a farm, and most of the meetings were held in it; however, as circumstances permitted we held meetings in the homes of the people. We can get nearer to them in their own homes than in a public effort. The result was not all that we wished, but we sow the seed, and God gives the increase.

Leaving Larroque, I spent about ten days with the church at Urinarrain. This church had at one time a membership of over one hundred, but many have moved to other parts of the country, and the membership has greatly decreased. The Lord blessed our efforts here. We then went to the town of Galarza, where we found conditions not so favorable. The enemy of all good had brought in division. These experiences should teach us not to put our trust in man, but in him who “bare our sins in his own body.” 1 Peter 2: 24, 25.

Leaving Galarza, we came to Ramirez. This little town is almost wholly German. We have been conducting a public effort here for three weeks. The attendance and the interest have been good. At first we rented a hall with a seating capacity of about one hundred. Our attendance soon outgrew this room, and we moved to a larger hall, seating about two hundred. We have closed the evening meetings, and are now doing house-to-house work with those who show an interest. I have also visited the churches at Crespo and Viale. The former is the oldest church in Argentina. This church was organized about twenty-one years ago, and Brother Reinhardt Hetze was its first elder.

With Elder R. T. Baer we expect to visit all our churches in Entre Rios. The churches here are not visited by a minister as often as in the States, and the brethren and sisters appreciate such a visit very much. We are looking forward with joy to our coming camp meeting, which will be held in the city of Parana, October 19-29. A good share of the population of Entre Rios is German. Most of the people came here from Russia. We find all denominations represented.

There is yet a great work to do, and we as a people need to live near the Lord and possess a living faith, that others may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. Many are the signs of our Lord’s return to take his waiting people home. The Lord has set watchmen upon the walls of Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace till he has made Jerusalem a praise in the earth. Isa. 62: 6-12. David, looking down through the ages, said: “But thou, O Lord, shalt endure forever; . . . for the time to favor her [Zion], yea, the set time, is come. . . . When the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory.” Ps. 102: 12-16. “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” 2 Peter 3: 14. May God keep us all in the love of the truth, and help each to do the work given him by the Lord.