CHILE by T. H. Davis

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 14, 1902

CHILE

By T. H. Davis

LEAVING Iquique the last of August, after sailing south two days, I stopped at a small town called Chanaral. Once this was a flourishing place. Of late, as there is a raise in copper, the mines near by are operating again. About twenty years ago the Church of England built a large church, which has recently been purchased by the Presbyterians for their Spanish work. I was invited by their leader to hold meetings while there; and as a result, some manifested an interest to hear the message, and several began the observance of the Sabbath. At the mines in the interior I found an old man who has had the Bible for over thirty years. He obtained this Bible in a remarkable way. It seems that an English ship was about to be wrecked by a storm on the Chilean coast, and the captain of the bark made a vow to God that if his ship could be saved, he would bring a box of Spanish Bibles from England, and distribute them among these ignorant people. That prayer was heard, the vow was fulfilled; and one of the Bibles fell into the hands of this miner, who could read. We had a half-hour's talk, and word has since come that he lost his job because of his observance of the Sabbath, but would rather suffer than disobey God. The Spirit of God in a Chilean has the same effect as in an American.

From Chanaral I came south to Caldera, where I had been about four years ago. Had fair success in selling books among the few English-speaking people there. I also met one lady who is especially interested in the Sabbath truth. My next stop was at Copiapo, a thriving little railroad town in the interior of Caldera. After over two years in the dry saliter mines of Iquique, it was a treat to get in a green spot once more. The Presbyterians were rejoicing, as Copiapo had given them the privilege of erecting a neat church building. I called on the pastor, who asked me to pray in church, also called on me to speak to his congregation. This was a great surprise to me. In this place I had great opposition, but thank the Lord, the seed of truth found root in a few faithful souls.

My next stop was at Carezal, one of the oldest copper districts on the coast of Chile. At one of the mines the administrator opened a small room in which to hold meetings with his workmen. One, the baker of the mine, showed me much kindness, and after asking me several questions, said he thought that the Sabatistas (sabbatarians) only believed in the law, and that he had been warning his family to be prepared with truth from the Bible to meet our arguments. He took me to an adjoining mine, and on our homeward journey we had prayer together among the cactus plants that grow in the valley. He also asked me when an Adventist minister could visit the miners, and establish a church.

Protestantism is more flourishing in the northern part of Chile than in the south; but as the only communication is by steamer, it is more costly to work. During my three months' trip I have sold books, tracts, and the Spanish paper Señales to hundreds of people. Although I cannot say that it has been a paying business as far as money goes, souls have been enlightened, which to me is the most precious of all. How ripe the harvest of souls is, and how large the field for one somewhat worn colporteur! What is needed in the west coast field is more large books in the Spanish language, and more canvassers to sell them. These people need something up to date in every respect. If we had our books in the Spanish, they could be sold by the thousands here. May God bless His word, and may many souls be found in the kingdom of God from the efforts put forth in sowing the precious seeds of truth. T. H. DAVIS.