The Argentine School's Work With the Earthquake Number of the “Verdad Presente”
By Arturo Fulton
THERE was an unusual commotion about the school on the bright, sunshiny morning of September 22, for the week before the earthquake number of the Verdad Presente had arrived, and the students were going out to sell the papers in the neighboring towns. A load of six students was to go south to Victoria, about sixty miles away, another to Nogaya, about the same distance east, while still another load would go later to Ramirez and Crespo, smaller towns about twenty and ten miles distant. Those of us who were going to Victoria spent the Sabbath with the Palma church, and then stayed overnight with one of the brethren farther on our way. We were heartily welcomed by the family as we drove into the yard. The low adobe house with its thatched roof was whitewashed within and without, and had a homelike and inviting appearance. The earth floors were cleanly swept, and fresh sand had been sprinkled over them; and leaves of different aromatic plants that send forth a pleasant fragrance when crushed beneath the feet were scattered around. We all admired the cooking place in this home. At first sight it resembled a kitchen sink. The framework was built up of mud which had been hardened like stone, then nicely painted. The fireplace was near one end, and the flames and smoke passed under the tin bottom and out the chimney at the other end. The thrifty housewife soon had supper cooking on this, while we went out to inspect the stock, orchard, and growing crops. This is one of the greatest wheat-raising districts of the world. Our brother has two hundred and forty acres sown to wheat and flax. This he tells me is the average sowing for a farmer here, although some have twice as much. Early the next morning we were up and off. For a time our way lay between growing fields of grain; but as we traveled farther south, the country became more rolling, and the cultivated fields gave way to well-stocked pastures, where were grazing many cattle, sheep, and horses. About noon we camped by a stream and ate our lunch. We had already taken some orders and sold papers on the way. We arrived at our destination about three o'clock in the afternoon. We spent some time in finding a place to stay, as all the fondas seemed full. We were at last nicely housed, and retired early to get a good rest for the morrow's work. We were all kindly received, and the day quickly passed. Tuesday morning we finished canvassing the town, and started for home, but not before we had bought a sack of oranges to take with us. These cost us about seventy-five cents a hundred, and we had helped to pick them ourselves. We also bought four dozen lemons at eight cents a dozen, and the lady gave us another dozen as a japa. The trees are very beautiful with their ripe fruit and fragrant blossoms. By Wednesday afternoon all had returned, and as the last load drove up, what a chattering there was! All had success, and all were happy to have had some part in the Lord's work. The prayer hour was given over to a praise-meeting—a real experience meeting. The long, tiresome ride was forgotten, and only the joy of having done something in the work was remembered. This meeting did not drag, and no time was lost in waiting for some one to rise; in fact, it was hard to bring it to a close. Our students love the truth, and many are earnestly striving to prepare themselves for a place in the work. May the Lord grant that what has been done may bear fruit in the kingdom of God. Diamante, Entre Rios, Argentina.