F. A. STAHL by F. A. Stahl

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 20, 1910

F. A. STAHL

By F. A. Stahl

Bolivia

BOLIVIA surely is a good field for labor, because it is a very needy one. It has been my privilege to make a country trip, and I have observed the same conditions everywhere—gross darkness, people living for they know not what. The evil effects of the use of tobacco and alcohol are seen in every place, accompanied by great uncleanness. Parades, feasting, drunkenness, and bull-fights are in great evidence.

The image-laden Catholic churches are crowded early every Sunday morning with people kneeling, without support, on the cold stone floors, listening to the mumbling of the shaven priests. I have seen people kneeling this way for almost an hour—in all the vast congregation not one peaceful face, but, instead, deep anxiety depicted. And this is not to be wondered at. Religion would be an anxiety to any one born and reared amid such surroundings. God has given us a message that, if accepted, will save them from all these errors and evils.

We believe there are many souls in Bolivia who will accept the truth and rejoice in it. The natives seem to be noble at heart, kind, and willing to help a stranger, and living up to all the light they have. Effort has been started by other denominations, with but very little success. Bibles are sold, but Bible truths are not taught. I have found, on talking with these men, that, without exception, they understand the truth regarding the Sabbath, but do not obey it. This has made me sad. But, on the other hand, we can rejoice that the truth is so well known. I find that the few Bolivians with whom I have talked, think that Sunday is the seventh-day Sabbath; and in Cochabamba, where Elder E. W. Thomann formerly lived for a time, there is quite an interest, and people are eager to learn more. These things are an encouragement.

We must encounter many difficulties. Traveling is by muleback and stagecoach, for the most part, one day in the lowlands, where it is extremely warm, and the next up on the highlands, in the bitter cold. The food is poor, and is prepared very unhealthfully. The missionary, in order to reach these people, must endure hardships of every kind. Here he can say as did Nehemiah: “None of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.” But these difficulties are an inspiration to us. The greater the difficulties, the more help we can claim from God. The greater the hardships, the more closely we cling to Christ, who knows all about them, having suffered all things for us.

This is naturally a country of rich resources, and the natives are for the most part quite well-to-do, but do not know how to use their means. The work will be self-supporting, we believe, in a few years; but at present, help is needed to put this mission on a good basis. It

needs at once six hundred dollars, with which to purchase a colporteur outfit—four strong mules, pack-saddles, etc. Shipping books throughout Bolivia is very expensive, and is accompanied by great uncertainty and delay. Who will help purchase this outfit, and share the blessing of bringing the truth to the Bolivians? Send money to the General Conference treasurer, Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. We also ask an interest in your prayers. Pray that God will enlighten the minds of these people.