CHILE by G. H. Baker

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 17, 1900

CHILE

By G. H. Baker

I REMAINED ten days in Lima. There were a few interested ones who were regular in their attendance at the services; but in all these Roman Catholic countries it is difficult to make the people see and feel the great importance of a new life in Christ, of a regeneration of heart, mind, soul, and spirit manifested in the daily life. The idea of the new birth seems almost as strange to them as it did to Nicodemus. And why should it not? Poor creatures! they have been fed on fables so long that facts seem useless and strange. For centuries they have fed their souls only upon such rubbish as the invocation of dead sinners, who know not anything; auricular confession to living sinners, who seem to forget that they must die and account for their deeds; and other similarly absurd doctrines. One's heart goes out in sympathy to see them so self-sufficient and even boastful in their folly. Such teaching can but have a deadening effect upon the higher sensibilities. Some are beginning to awake to the truth. Others, seeing the falsity of the Church of Rome, drop all religious inclinations, and go into outspoken infidelity; and not a few “seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto the wizards that peep, and that mutter;” but, alas, how very few seek unto their God!

Several in Lima manifested a very friendly interest. Brother Escobar, our Chilean brother who is trying to carry on a self-supporting propaganda, has awakened considerable interest among some thinking people of Lima. One especially bright young lawyer is studying the truth with the greatest avidity. He expressed a strong desire to unite with Brother Escobar, and preach the gospel to his fellow Peruvians. He is a man well known, and would make an unusual stir in that ignorant, fanatical country. Let all the people of God pray for this man, and for our work here in general. One sister wished to be baptized, but as she waited until the day before we left before asking for baptism, we left that for Brother Escobar. She is from Quito, Ecuador, and was anxious that we should go there to give her people the message; but this was not possible.

Now the question arises, How long is it going to be before some one from the United States will feel a burden for this long-forsaken land of the equatorial sun? Now, dear soul, do not get frightened at the thought, and imagine yourself a second Shadrach passing through the fiery furnace in order to be a missionary to Ecuador. While I have not been there myself, I have the most reliable authority for saying that you will not be roasted alive. While it is warm in Guayaquil, the principal port of that republic, it is by no means beyond endurance. Ambato is said to be a most lovely climate, exceptionally good for lung diseases; and in Quito the disease known as consumption is not found.

The government is liberal now, even more liberal than the government of Chile. Anybody has a right to preach his religion without let or hindrance.

While at Lima I received word from Iquique to stop on my return trip south, and that others were demanding baptism. The hall we had before could not be secured, but a man from the aristocratic circles of Santiago invited us to use two rooms of his house. I asked him if he had given the matter full consideration, and warned him that it might molest him and his family. He replied that he was glad to be able to help us. We continued the meetings about two weeks, and baptized him and his wife along with six of the common people. I make special mention of this case because it is the first time that we have been able to reach the upper circle. We hope they may prove true to God, and thus keep the door open for the message to go to those

who would not hear it from one of the common people.

After an absence of about three months I returned home, having baptized twenty-four persons. May the Lord bless them. G. H. BAKER.

Valparaiso.