The Lord Went Before Them by William A. Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 6, 1913

"The Lord Went Before Them"

By William A. Spicer

WHEN we read this of the exodus movement, we think of the Lord actually leading and guiding his people in the way. He is the same living God in the advent movement.

Years ago our Mission Board asked Brethren F. W. Bishop and T. H. Davis, of California, to go down into what was to us then the unknown regions of the west coast of South America. They were pioneer bookmen, the first heralds of the advent message to enter that country between the Andes and the sea.

They came to Santiago, the capital of Chile. The first thing to do was to seek God to direct them in finding a room and in beginning their work. They were in a great Catholic city, full of churches and superstition. They could speak little Spanish, and knew not a soul.

But God knew every heart in Santiago, and he had gone before them to prepare the way. This I learned from Elder V. E. Thomann, as we talked together in this same city of Santiago, where the last biennial meeting of the South American Union Conference was held. Elder Thomann told me an experience that came to him just before Brethren Bishop and Davis landed in that city. He was then a very young man, working in Santiago, every day passing to his work along the beautiful avenue called the Alameda. I set down his story as he told it to me:—

One night I had a dream, in which I seemed to be walking in the Alameda. I met two men, strangers, one of whom said as I passed, “Bendice, alma mia, a Jehova” (“Praise the Lord, O my soul”).

The dream made a deep impression upon my mind. A month passed, and as I walked along the street I often recalled the impression of the dream; but no one had spoken the words heard in the dream, and I began to think there was nothing special to it.

But one day, as I passed along the avenue, I casually noticed two foreigners approaching, who were slowly walking, apparently studying from a Bible. At the moment I did not think of the dream. But as I passed them, one spoke aloud, reading the words, “Bendice, alma mia, a Jehova.”

On hearing the words, I looked intently; and I recognized clearly in their appearance the same men that I had seen in my dream a month before. I turned at once and spoke with them.

I could speak no English at the time, and they could not speak sufficient Spanish to carry on much conversation. But I invited them to come to my home to take some milk and bread and to give me opportunity to inquire as to their mission in Santiago.

Though we were unable to converse much together, I learned that they were missionaries. From the dream I understood that they had a special message, and I wanted to learn what it was. I visited them at Mr. Balada’s house, where they had a room. Mr. Balada told me they were talking about the Sabbath. We were surprised. During the following week, my brother Edwardo and I gave earnest attention to the subject of the Sabbath and the advent, as also did Brother Balada and his wife, and others. The result was that the next Sabbath we met with Brethren Bishop and Davis to keep the day holy in worship and study,—twelve of us all together rejoicing in the truth.

Out of this company, so quickly gathered to the standard of truth in the great city, three went into the work as preachers of this third angel’s message.

Indeed there is a living God in heaven who is doing things on earth, whose angels prepare the way before the messengers as in olden times. It is our hope and comfort and assurance that the work will be done. W. A. S.