Ecuador by Thomas H. Davis

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 1, 1907

Ecuador

By Thomas H. Davis

This country, as all other South American republics, was overrun by the priesthood of Rome during the long years of Spanish rule. Up to the year 1905 it was almost impossible for a Protestant to live in Ecuador and open his mouth in regard to his religious belief. Before this time a company of French engineers was located at Cuenca, which is supposed to be the most fanatical city of South America. The secretary of the company stated that all their religion was a humbug. A priest, on hearing of it, stirred up the people, and the man was killed for not being a Christian. One priest, before this date, saw the errors of his church, and exposed some of them in his writings. There was so much opposition from his opponents that he left the country for Chile and Argentina, where he wrote a book entitled “La Luz del Pueblo,” or The Light of the People, which has been published since by a friend of his. Several thousand copies have been printed and given away by the government, since the liberal party has been in power.

Ecuador of late is taking away all government support from the Catholic school-teachers, which has caused quite a stir from the strong Catholic party.

Naturally, one would think that Ecuador has a hot climate, as it is on the equator, which is the meaning of the word “Ecuador” in Spanish. We have here about any kind of climate desired. At Guayaquil it varies from warm to cool. From December to April it is quite hot and wet, and mosquitoes and fever abound. Here in the interior, among the mountains, especially at Ambato, we have a very mild climate, with not much rain, and no snow only on the very high mountains. Here nearly every kind of fruit and vegetable grows that would grow in central and northern California. Just now we are in the fruit

season.

Some kinds are cheap, while others are scarce and dear. The tomato, one of the cheapest vegetables in the States, is one of the scarcest and dearest articles here; but it flourishes when cultivated. Strawberries and blackberries do well, but are also scarce. Peaches are cultivated to quite an extent; then come pears and apples. Wild cherries can be bought for almost nothing, and are the nicest the writer ever saw. The fruit serves the people only while it lasts, as none is dried or canned. Right here I would say that a small cannery would be a fine business for some of our people who want to be self-supporting missionaries. All dried and canned fruit comes from the States or from Chile, and on account of high duties is very dear. How would you like to pay about eighty cents for a can of peaches? The other day when buying some cherries, I told the lady they were to be dried. She seemed to think it could not be done, or that they would be no good after being dried. Mrs. Davis was telling a neighbor about drying fruit, but he thought there must be some secret about it to make it dry.

Elder Casebeer has a prosperous English school started at Ambato, to which any of our people coming here could send their children. Ambato is destined to be the center of this country, first, on account of its fine climate and productive soil; second, because it is to be the center of two or more railroad lines. Now is the time to establish an industry of that kind, for after a few years land will greatly increase in value. Even now since the railroad has been completed to this point, we can see the difference in rent. I would be only too glad to correspond with any one who wishes to start any kind of business here. As labor is so cheap, several kinds of enterprises could be made to pay. A tinsmith could be had for about fifty or sixty cents United States money a day. We pay two sucres a week, or one dollar United States money, for our hired girl, and she boards at home. While writing, I hear her chopping our wood in the back yard. The women work here on public roads, build houses, and do almost any kind of labor for two or three reals a day.

The Congregational Church have several missionaries here, and two stations established among the Indians. The Methodists have only a small start.

Since coming here some two and one-half years ago, my work has been principally on the coast with our literature. Just lately we have moved to this place to escape the heat. The people here are slow to move, especially in obeying the truth. All foreigners know how to use the word mañana, to-morrow, applying it to these people. It is very applicable to them; but how is it with our people? When a country is opened for the truth, is it not many times mañana with us also?

One brother, a printer who works in Guayaquil in a printing-office, has the Sabbath off. Another young man who bought “Patriarchs and Prophets” from me, has read it through, and says he is going through it again with the Bible. From his letters to me, I judge he is much interested, and we have some hopes of his being a worker.

We find that our books and papers sell readily, especially the latter. While making a trip, the first of the week, to Riobamba, I sold some thirty papers to the first-class passengers. A Catholic priest bought five papers. On coming back, several bought papers. A priest spoke out, saying that they were Protestant; still the people bought in spite of him. On another trip to the same town some weeks before, many tore up their papers, and a Testament was burned in the car. However, some took part with us.

I am glad to see so many workers going to foreign lands. May the Lord stir up more of our young people to enter our schools to be prepared for these needy fields. Many parts of Ecuador have not been touched even with the ends of our fingers. Whole provinces are waiting for a worker, and how about the more than one-half million Indians who know not of a Saviour? What a grand thing it would be if several of our young people, especially from our schools, could be here studying the language while they work. O, where are the reapers to gather in the sheaves of good from the fields of sin?

THOS. H. DAVIS.