The Fruit of the Message in South America by William Ambrose Spicer

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 11, 1912

The Fruit of the Message in South America

By William Ambrose Spicer

WHEN we see souls being won by the hundreds from Catholic superstition, we may know that the power of God is attending the ministration of the message. By this token it is plain that the Lord is with our brethren in the South American Union.

The union conference has just closed in Santiago, Chile. The representatives from all the fields have brought reports showing that the fruitage of commandment-keepers is following the preaching of the message in these Catholic lands. The union report shows a net gain of 380 during the two years, and this number, on account of revision of records, is less than the actual gain. These figures mean much when we remember that the majority coming into the truth have come directly out of the Roman Catholic Church. Speaking for Peru, Elder A. N. Allen said:—

The labors of all the workers have been blessed. The number of baptized members has increased from 33 to 113. Three new churches have been organized, two of which are largely composed of Indians.

This is good news from a little-worked field, where public Protestant propaganda is forbidden. In the Argentine and Chile Conferences the cause is showing settled and substantial growth that will make these older fields a blessing to all parts of the union.

The shortage of funds in the General Conference treasury, because of the rapid extension of our mission fields, made it necessary a year ago to cut down the appropriation called for by South America. The estimate was cut four thousand dollars for 1911. Elder J. W. Westphal, president of the union, told the delegates that, disappointing as the cut was at the time, he believed that the experience had not hurt the union. He said in his report:—

For a moment the reduction sent a chill through the field; but the reaction was quick and decided. Our laborers rallied quickly to meet the situation, and with excellent results. There was a determination to see that the work was not diminished, and to make every dollar go farther; to raise more means in the field, and to place branches of the work on a self-supporting basis wherever it was possible. As a result, Chile in particular has had a most interesting experience, which it will be well for us to study. In the end, it has resulted in greater courage and greater faith in the South American financial possibilities.

These resolute words are echoed by all the workers. At the same time it is evident that this field must receive liberal help to open up its vast territories that have been lying all these centuries under the pall of the papal system. But we may well thank God for the growth of the work and the determination of the workers to develop local resources as rapidly as possible.

The brethren came to the union meeting with courage in their hearts, fresh from victories in the field; and as they have prayed and counseled and studied together during these two weeks, they return to the conflict with yet greater confidence and increased determination to see far greater things in the work. The South American Union brethren are laboring and praying and believing for a quickly finished work, and it is good to see the evidence that the Lord is with them.

W. A. S.

Santiago, Chile.