Laborers Visiting South America by J. W. Westphal

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 18, 1911

Laborers Visiting South America

By J. W. Westphal

J. W. WESTPHAL

It is about eighteen years since the message began its work in South America. Before a minister was sent to remain in the field, the president of the International Tract Society made a brief visit to the brethren who had moved to Argentina from Kansas. No General Conference man visited South America again until Elder W. A. Spicer came, in 1906. The circumstances attending his visit are still fresh in my memory. At the time of the General Conference in 1905, it was arranged that some one come to our field the following year. Only two months before the general meeting, appointed in view of his visit, I received a letter from Elder Spicer, saying that no one would come; that since I had been at the General Conference only the year before, the committee had concluded that it would not be necessary for any one to come. I was away north, in the Chaco, when the letter came. My heart sank. It seemed I was never so disappointed before. Had I not been a man, I should have wept.

Endeavoring to resign myself to the situation, I wrote Elder Spicer of our disappointment. Among other things, I told him that the fact that it was not thought necessary for any one to visit our field was the best possible evidence that some one should come. Our brethren were not acquainted with South America and its needs.

It was not expected that the letter would change any plans; we thought it was too late for that. Finally, when a cablegram came announcing Elder Spicer's departure for South America, we were as happily surprised as we had before been sadly disappointed. That visit,—how much it has meant for our field!—its effects will be felt when the Lord comes. At almost every turn we still feel its benefits.

We hoped to have Elder A. G. Daniells present with us in our union conference in March, 1910, as well as to visit some of our local fields. Extended notice had been given of his visit, and much disappointment was felt in South America when the news came to us that he could not come. Although perplexed for a while to know how to arrange satisfactorily for a visit so brief and unexpected, we can assure our brethren that it was a most agreeable surprise to us to receive a cablegram that Elder L. R. Conradi would be able to come in November.

Even though he could attend but two conferences and three general meetings, we believe that his visit was timely, and the means well spent; so much were some of our brethren pleased with his visit and work that they, of their own initiative, took up an offering to help defray his expenses. His presentation of Bible truth, his talks on missionary work, his instruction to workers, and his counsel on business matters relating to the work, have been of great value to the work in our field. His long successful evangelistic and business experience in connection with the development of the work in Europe, enabled him to help us in South America; and his visit will mark the beginning of a third epoch in our work.

These visits to foreign fields are necessary; they form the connecting link between the missionary and home. They bring joy, and hope, and strength to the mission field, and in return breathe courage, faith, and new endeavor to our brethren in the home land. Two visits to South America, in some sixteen years, are not very much. We believe they ought to be more frequent. The kindness of our brethren in making these two visits gives us courage to ask for and expect more.

South America has now two union conferences. Their biennial sessions will be held beginning in February, 1912. We are asking and looking for help for these meetings from the General Conference. Surely our brethren and sisters in the States will gladly forego the labors of one man for a few months, for the benefit of a needy and more distant field. Their sympathies, their prayers, and their means have followed us these years, and I am sure they will not now regret the absence of a laborer, and the expense involved in sending us the very best.

Buenos Aires, Argentina.