Notes From the Argentine Republic
By Juan McCarthy
In the month of May, last, it was determined by the committee of the River Plate Conference that Brother R. H. Habenicht and myself should go to the Missiones Territory, which is situated at the north of the Argentine Republic, between the Paraguayan and Brazilian Republics, and there open up our work by the help of the Lord. Elder Swartze, of the Brazilian Conference, had visited different places in Missiones, and reported the interest. We arrived in Posadas, the capital of Missiones, on June 12, and immediately began to present the truth to those in spiritual darkness. The Lord in his goodness made himself manifest from the very first; for in the space of a few days we had the joy of seeing many souls take their stand beneath the banner of Prince Emmanuel, being determined to keep all the commandments of Jehovah as recorded in the sacred volume. After laboring here for seven weeks, our souls are gladdened by seeing thirty in Posadas keeping the precepts of our Heavenly Father. All of these had been great smokers, men and women, but the divine grace came to their aid, and gave them the victory over this abominable practise. When we took up the subject of tithe, they gained another victory, and they have each promised to give to the church the Lord's portion. On July 19 it was thought best to administer baptism to those who were ready to receive it. We rejoiced to see all the brethren wend their way down to the riverside, resolved to demonstrate to the world that they were born of water and of the Spirit. Brother Habenicht and myself administered the ordinance of baptism to these newly born children of God. Soon after this, Brother Habenicht was obliged to leave, and I was left alone; but the presence of the Lord was with our work. After he had gone, I had the privilege of baptizing five others, also of marrying one couple, who for many years had been living together. Thus the good work is advancing, and souls are being brought into the kingdom, to form a part of that number which must in these last days receive the seal of the living God upon their foreheads. July 2 Brother Habenicht went north about sixty miles to Corpus, to help some who were interested in this last message. After much faithful labor, under most adverse circumstances, he was able by the grace of God to place the work upon a better footing, and also to interest others; three or four promised to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. He remained there, doing excellent work, until he was compelled to go to Asuncion, Paraguay, to take his examination, and was obliged to leave the work before it was fully developed. I expect to go there tomorrow, God willing, and with his help will do all I can to place the work on a good, solid basis. Also in Paraguay, as the result of our labors, six are keeping the Sabbath; and many are interested in a town eighteen leagues farther north, to whom I have been sending our literature. So the message is onward, souls are being saved, and our hearts rejoice in the victories God is giving to his people in these last days. I am glad the Lord has blessed me by giving me a part in the proclamation of this glorious truth to a dying world. JUAN MCCARTHY.