Ecuador by Wm. W. Wheeler

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 13, 1909

Ecuador

By Wm. W. Wheeler

AMBATO.— We know that there will be some for the harvest even from Ecuador. God has promised that his word shall not return unto him void. We shall do our best to fill the country with printed matter.

As a whole, the people of Ecuador are much given to the use of liquor. But just recently a temperance society has been organized in Quito. Now we wish we had some temperance literature in Spanish. We would like to help them get hold of the foundation principles of true temperance. Nothing is more needed in this country than health work and all that pertains to it. A merchant who travels in many places where none of our workers have been takes the Señales with him, and distributes them. A grandson of one of the former presidents comes here quite often for papers. He is temperate, not even using tobacco, which is an unusual thing here. He is a bright young man.

Three times since we have been here we have been asked to start a school for children; this by some of the first people of the place. It is desired that the teaching be in both Spanish and English. I feel sure that if we had a capable person to give his time to that work, much good would be done. It does seem to me that such a school should be started. It seems best to get hold of the people in every way possible. The person starting the school should not be one who wants to be a foreign missionary because he finds no good openings at home, but one of education and successful experience. Since Brethren Casebeer, Davis, and Buckner has done much to help in getting hold of the people. There are other openings where the right persons could do well teaching, with the object of breaking the crust for mission work.

How we wish we had an active, practical doctor here—one who knew how to build up from a small beginning. Nothing is more needed here than our health and temperance work. What is

the meaning of the expression “entering wedge,” as applied by the spirit of prophecy to medical missionary work—something to be used ten years afterward, or in the first place? Find us a practical medical missionary man.

Our colporteur, Brother Octavio Navarette, does not always have an easy and pleasant time. A little while ago he had to put spurs to his horse, and flee from a mob who were stoning him. Some of his books and papers were stolen, and that evening the priest and others made a bonfire of them in the public plaza. A man of some influence, hearing the commotion, hastened to the plaza, and was able to secure part of one of the papers. He brought it here to compare with ours, to be sure it was ours. He says he will see that the burned books and papers are paid for.

Wm. W. WHEELER.