In South America by L. R. Conradi

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 9, 1911

In South America

By L. R. Conradi

L. R. CONRADI

The great South American mission field has had but little help from our general laborers. Elder W. A. Spicer visited the field in 1906, when the South American Union Conference was organized. Aside from this, no General Conference officer ever visited this continent. It was planned some months ago for Elder A. G. Daniells to attend the general meetings to be held at Buenos Aires last autumn. He being unable to go, I was asked by the Mission Board to make a visit to this great country.

Accordingly, I sailed from Hamburg, October 13, reaching Rio de Janeiro, our first stopping-place in South America, October 31. This city is situated on a beautiful and commodious harbor, which is large enough and of sufficient depth to accommodate all the navies of the world. Surrounded by picturesque mountains of all sizes and shapes, Rio, the beautiful capital of Brazil, encircles the bay. The narrow entrance to the harbor is well guarded by strong fortifications, while a number of dreadnoughts and other men-of-war were quietly anchored inside the harbor, grimly guarding the “Monroe Palace” of Pan-American peace.

Instead of going ashore to see the glories of the greatest Portuguese-speaking city of the world, I sat quietly down with Elder F. W. Spies, who had been notified of my coming, to talk over the condition and needs of that most glorious kingdom of God, which as yet does not openly appear. All too soon our steamer left port, sailing to the southwest into a somewhat cooler climate. A journey of three days brought us to the great mouth of the Rio de la Plata River, and by noon we anchored in sight of Montevideo, the growing capital of Uruguay. Although our boat lay for ten hours within a short distance of the shore, yet none of the passengers who were bound for any of the ports farther on were allowed to land, notwithstanding their eagerness to do so after having been three weeks at sea. Prosperous little Uruguay, whose dollar has an even greater value than Uncle Sam’s, was in the midst of another revolution. As there are but one million inhabitants in Uruguay, and the important third of these live in Montevideo, I was sorry indeed to be deprived of the privilege of meeting our workers here, and of viewing the city at closer range. Uruguay is only a mission field, with one hundred members, whose tithe averages twenty-eight dollars each, per annum, so that they are able to support their five workers. This speaks well for the liberality and prosperity of the brethren here.

By next morning our steamer had reached the port of Buenos Aires. As the English mail steamer arriving before us had cholera on board, our steamer was detained in quarantine for several hours; but toward noon we pulled into the docks, where I recognized among the waiting crowd the familiar faces of Elder J. W. Westphal, and Brother G. E. Hartmann, the union treasurer. A suburban train took us to Florida, where the Argentine Conference had its small camp-meeting. On the way we passed the centennial exposition of Argentina’s independence. From the fine buildings one could readily judge of the progress and prosperity of this, the most progressive of the republics of South America. Argentina now has a population of nearly seven millions. Of late years its immigration has averaged about three hundred thousand a year, mostly from Latin Europe.

Stranger as I was to the country, and although I had passed from the far north to the extreme south of the world, yet I was accorded such a hearty welcome that I at once felt at home, and within an hour I had begun my first Bible study on this continent.

The Argentine Conference has something like five hundred members, about two thirds of whom are German-Russians. I was pleased to notice that the churches were well represented, and nearly all the workers in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay were present. A few had been kept back by the revolution in Uruguay. The conference business and the preaching services were mostly conducted in the Spanish and German languages. About eighty were present on week-days, and twice that number on Sabbath.

As thus far but little had been done for Buenos Aires, which, with its million and a quarter of inhabitants, is to-day not only the largest city of the southern hemisphere, but also the fourth city in all America, and the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world, the brethren collected some six hundred dollars with which to enter upon more aggressive work in this city. The weekly offerings, which thus far had been consumed by the conference work, were dedicated to work among the many millions of native Indians in South America. Had not certain parts of Argentina been hampered by drought and grasshoppers, the conference would have paid a second tithe to the union for its mission work. Their average tithe for each member is about fourteen dollars a year. The conference was held November 3-12.

November 9 the new publishing-house was dedicated. The brethren had secured several suitable lots adjoining one another, and on these they have erected the printing-office, and some dwelling-houses for the workers. They have chosen a good locality, and with their present equipment, they are well prepared to do printing for the many millions of Spanish-speaking people in South America. Brother Max Trummer, their general canvassing agent, held a special course for the canvassers. We were pleased to learn of his success in this field. While many of the common people are unable to read, yet those who can read, especially among the business men, are frequently glad to purchase our literature.

During this meeting I was also pleased to make the acquaintance of a representative of the American Bible Society, who appreciates the efforts our people are putting forth for the circulation of the Scriptures. He gave us a very good address, setting forth the importance of Bible circulation. Elder C. E. Knight enjoys the confidence of our people, and was unanimously re-elected president of the Argentine Conference. All went home with a stronger determination than ever to work earnestly for the spread of present truth.