MARY T. WESTPHAL by Mary T. Westphal

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1911

MARY T. WESTPHAL

By Mary T. Westphal

Chile

My husband is laboring in Valparaiso this summer, and has not been home for two months. The children and I have been spending the summer on the farm, occasionally going to the villages to spend Sabbath. To reach our farm we have to go on horseback, walk, or ride in a two-wheeled ox-cart. It takes three hours to go in the cart, and from two to two and one-half hours to make the journey on foot. Sometimes we see four persons on one horse. In the rainy season the mud and water are so deep that it is almost impossible to go about with carts here in the south. In older parts of the country, where the roads are better, farmers are supplying themselves with coaches and coach-horses; but usually the coaches have only two wheels. It was quite a treat to see a single buggy, shipped from the United States, on the road, when we were on a recent missionary trip.

Last Sabbath we went to Lancoche, to assist the little company there in their Sabbath-school work. We reached the place of worship just in time for Sabbath-school. Brother S. Mangold had come down from northern Chile, to attend the annual conference, and he met with us. The Sabbath-school was very interesting, nearly all the members having given faithful study to the lesson. We gave some advice in regard to the arrangement of the classes. While the offering was being taken, I made a few remarks on the importance of studying the lesson during the week; and our son followed with remarks on offerings.

Brother Mangold, in the sermon that followed, emphasized the instruction and the points brought out in the lesson, which was on the parables of the talents and the ten virgins.

We met again in the afternoon, and the singing of hymns, accompanied by instrumental music, was greatly enjoyed by the brethren and sisters. All were refreshed and benefited by the meetings. Two Sabbath-schools were represented, one in the town and the other in the country. Some of the brethren and sisters living in the country came on horseback, and others walked. One sister carried her baby a distance of two or three hours’ walk over the hills. Her husband remained at home because he had no suitable shoes. He had ordered a pair, so he would be ready to go; but when his son brought them on Friday, they proved to be too short. He was very sad because he could not attend.

The wind blew a gale that day, filling the eyes with sand and dust; but there were no brethren remaining at home, sleeping or otherwise wasting the precious Sabbath hours. Nearly all present had come out of the Catholic Church, and they are happy in the light they have received. Several here desire baptism.

I was very weary when we arrived home, and had to spend the next day resting; but I was glad I could help to cheer these dear souls.

Dear brethren and sisters at home, be not weary in giving your sons and daughters and means to spread the gospel in foreign lands; for these gifts will result in stars for your crown. Pray for us.