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CHILE

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 9, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 2.

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CHILE

By G. H. Baber

SEPTEMBER 5, in company with Brother Edwardo W. Thomann, of Santiago, I left Valparaiso, arriving at Iquique the 12th. We at once began to search for a suitable place to hold public meetings. Being unsuccessful, we feared our efforts would be confined to private houses; but the Lord heard our supplication, and we secured just the hall we needed. Meetings were held for thirty-one nights consecutively, with the result that eleven persons were baptized. At the baptism the only especial irreverence manifested was by members of another Protestant church, who seemed to be greater enemies to the Lord's baptism than are those of the Romish faith. It is, in fact, our experience in all parts of Chile that our most bitter enemies are so-called Protestants.
Leaving the little flock in charge of Brother T. H. Davis, who now lives in Iquique, Casilla 240, I came to Huara. Here I found but two families who have continued faithful. Some have moved away, others have denied the faith. The native pastor, who was placed in charge of the flock, has moved away, to the relief, I am sorry to say, of the faithful ones who remain. For the benefit of those who may be in charge of missions in similar fields, my experience in Chile urges me to warn them not to be in a hurry to appoint native pastors. Not many of the natives can stand it. Being brought up under the papal idea that he who has power must use it to its utmost, they soon begin to lord it over God's heritage, and are not ensamples to the flock.
There being but little interest here, I may leave soon for Peru, although the state of my health at present does not encourage me to undertake the journey. I have not had a well day for a month. The water is bad in Iquique, and did not agree with me. Here salt water is vaporized, still the taste is not pleasant. This being a saltpeter district, the soil is unproductive; consequently, everything used as food or raiment is brought from other parts of the country. Some of our brethren are employed at the mines, and are not forbidden the privilege of Sabbath rest. For this we thank the Lord.
G. H. BABER.