In South America’s Union Mission Field by J. W. Westphal

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 22, 1911

In South America’s Union Mission Field

By J. W. Westphal

J. W. WESTPHAL

The Indian work promises to be one of the most interesting fields of operation this denomination has ever entered. A few days ago I received from Brother F. A. Stahl a letter that is touching indeed. As he is a nurse, he has undertaken to help these Indians physically as well as spiritually. People came on a two days’ journey to be treated. He was so besieged with sufferers that he hardly had time either to sleep or to eat. He feels that a plain, cheap building should be provided, into which patients can be taken and treated. If we can have the liberty to carry on this work among them, there are certainly great possibilities before us.

A girl about eighteen years of age came some distance to receive help. She had been to a physician, but he had given her little attention; this is usual, as the Indians are very dirty. When her face was uncovered, even the Indians shrank back in horror. Brother Stahl cleaned and treated her face, using such simple remedies as he had with him, and in two days she went home well.

He says that these people yield very readily to treatment, and that ninety per cent can be cured. They do not know how to wash themselves, so he had evening classes to teach them how to bathe. They were willing to receive instruction, and apparently profited by it.

The Indians brought the priests’ horses, using them for several days to take him out to see the sick. I should judge from the letter that this was done against the priests’ will. But the Indians would bring the horses, and he could not help himself. In connection with this work, he taught them the gospel, and this they gladly received. Fifteen have already been baptized, and thirty others are awaiting baptism. The Sabbath truth appeals to them.

A GROUP OF INDIANS. BROTHER STAHL AT THE RIGHT

A few days ago I received a letter from M. Z. Camacho, the Indian schoolteacher, through whom the work was started among them, and he earnestly appeals for help. Among other things, he asks that Brother Stahl be permitted to remain and labor among them. Brother Stahl is anxious to do this, and few would be better adapted to this work than he. He knows how to help the people where they are. But in order to do anything for them, we must have money. Brother Stahl must have a place in which to live; for it will not do for him to live in the city, and he can not live in the Indians’ huts. He does not ask for anything large, but he must have something. Land must be secured. There should also be a place where the sick can be cared for. A school should be started at once. We must teach the young men, and in this way develop other teachers and laborers from among them.

Brother Stahl and his wife can not do this work alone, nor is it safe for him to be alone. Naturally, the priests are not in harmony with this work; they will do all they can against it, and they will find instruments through whom to work.

We need the money on the $300,000 Fund coming to South America,—not in driblets, so that we can not do anything with it, but a goodly amount in a lump. Our plans for the Indians and other work can do little good if we do not have the means with which to carry them out.

In the same letter from Brother Stahl, he tells about securing permission to hold open-air meetings for the Indians in La Paz, Bolivia. He went to the intendant, who is a Catholic, and asked permission. This official told him that such a thing is not allowed. Brother Stahl gave him the name of a prominent man in the place, whom he had formerly treated, and who was a very good friend, as reference. The official promised to see him, but day after day passed, and nothing was done. Finally Brother Stahl went to him again, and told him he had a right to hold such meetings, and that it was only through courtesy that he had asked his permission to hold them.

The officials then asked Brother Stahl to wait a little, and at once called in the man whose name he had given for reference. Brother Stahl says that it would have done any one good to hear this man explain our work to the intendant. The result of this explanation was that Brother Stahl received a written permission with full police protection to hold such meetings. This is thought to be the first instance where such permission has been given to a Protestant. Good results are expected from this effort. Brother I. Kalbermatten will speak to the people through an interpreter.

Thus the work in these fields is bidding us go forward. We are of good courage in the Lord, and the prospects for the advancement of the message were never brighter than they are now, nor workers more urgently needed.

Buenos Aires, Argentina.