THE WORK IN PARAGUAY by E. W. Snyder

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 11, 1901

THE WORK IN PARAGUAY.

By E. W. Snyder

Many of the readers of the Review will remember that there was published in this paper, nearly two years ago, a plea in behalf of Paraguay. After eight-months' residence in the country, we are better prepared to answer the letters of inquiry received in response to that appeal.

On our arrival at Asuncion the first of last August, we were met by Dr. Flagg, a dentist from the United States, who kindly assisted us in passing the customs, securing the entrance of our furniture free of duty, on which, had we entered it at Buenos Ayres, we should have paid a duty of sixty per cent, on the valuation of the Argentine officials. This gentleman also assisted us in finding a pleasant and healthful location just outside of the city, with good water, half an acre of land, on which are a number of fruit trees, at a reasonable rent. We shall ever feel grateful to him as well as to our kind Heavenly Father for thus opening the way so favorably for us. Previous to our arrival, we had unmistakable evidences that the Lord was calling us hither, and this impression was strengthened by an interest awakened in the National Colony. A German brother there had received literature treating on present truth, from his brother, a Sabbath-keeper in Uruguay, but hesitated to obey, although fully convinced. However, he diligently circulated among his neighbors all reading matter received, and as a result, when we visited the colony, we found quite an interest to hear. After two weeks of labor, six adults decided to obey, and there being already four Sabbath-keepers, we left ten keeping the Sabbath. This company, we trust, will become a nucleus for a church.

Since my first visit, I have labored a month in the same colony, and as a result the interest is spreading among the Paraguayans. One woman, a native, has accepted the Sabbath, and will doubtless be of assistance in interpreting from the Spanish to the Guarani, the latter being the language of the common people of the country. One case met with will serve to illustrate the importance of circulating our literature: A French colonist, while lying sick in the British hospital in Buenos Ayres, received from one of our Bible workers copies of the French Signs, and becoming interested through the reading of the same, he is now prepared to study present truth.

It would be difficult to find in any other small place so many dependent persons, with blighted prospects, as one meets in this colony. In view of the offer of the government to immigrants, this may seem strange. The conditions are as follows: (1) Free transportation from Buenos Ayres or Montevideo to Asuncion; (2) free entry of personal baggage, furniture, tools, seeds, etc.; (3) free board and lodging for five days at immigrant hotel in Asuncion; (4) free passage of immigrants from Asuncion to destination; (5) a grant of thirty acres to each immigrant at the nominal price of eight cents an acre. The land granted consists partly of heavy timbered and partly of grazing land. The former affords plenty of good timber for building purposes, while the land, when cleared, is very fertile, producing in abundance oranges, bananas, pineapples, peaches, melons, besides a number of wild fruits of minor importance. In the line of vegetables, sweet potatoes, mandioca, rice, beans, sugar cane, peanuts, and alfalfa flourish, besides the ordinary garden vegetables. Many will doubtless ask what could be more favorable than the conditions offered the colonist in Paraguay. The answer is easily given. Unfortunately, the country, having no manufacturing population, possesses only a limited home market, and is therefore dependent on the markets of Argentina. The government, in order to raise money, sold, several years ago, its valuable lands adjacent to the rivers and lines of communication, leaving only the remote lands of the interior for the purpose of colonization.

The government colony, in which our Sabbath-keepers live, is one hundred and fifty miles from Asuncion, toward the southwest, on thirty-six square miles of well-watered timbered land. Although an abundance of all natural products is raised, the colonist, owing to his isolation, must accept whatever price the market of his neighborhood will pay. Following are some of the various products and prices noted during our last visit: Sweet potatoes, per bu., 32 cents; bananas, per bunch, 4 or 5 cents; pineapples, per hundred, $1.25; sugar cane, per ton, loaded at railroad, $1.50; corn, per bu., shelled, 25 cents; rice, per cwt., $1.71; peanuts, per cwt., unshelled, $1.13. Even at these low prices farming could be carried on to some profit if it were possible to use the latest machinery, but, owing to numerous stumps and other obstacles, only hand labor can be employed. Hence the area cultivated by each colonist is small, and the amount produced correspondingly small.

In justice to Paraguay, it must be said, however, that the colonists who came to the country with some capital are making progress, since their money enabled them to purchase land on or near the river, where they can ship their bananas, pineapples, and other produce direct by boat to the Argentine markets. We are creditably informed that one of these has realized from the sale of bananas and pineapples the past year three thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars, not including expenses; while another has sold produce to the amount of two thousand five hundred dollars. Orange culture is also regarded a reliable business. A North American gentleman from Arkansas has an orchard of four thousand bearing trees, the fruit of which nets him on an average two hundred dollars a tree, as it stands. Trees come into partial bearing in four years, and into full bearing when eight years old. Stock raising is also a good-paying enterprise, but more capital is required at the start. To buy three square miles of grazing land and stock it with two hundred cows, would cost two thousand five hundred dollars.

We would say, in closing, however, do not come to this country unless you are satisfied, after earnest prayer, that this is where the Lord would have you; otherwise you will be disappointed. Life here, with every advantage, is attended with privations and inconveniences approaching those of the early pioneers in our Western States. We came here in search of souls for whom our Saviour died, and praise His name, we have been directed to some. We earnestly solicit the prayers of all in behalf of the work here.

E. W. Snyder.

LATER.—We received from Brother W. A. Spicer the following report from Brother Snyder, with this note: “We pass to the Review readers the following extract from a letter to the Mission Board. A description of Paraguay and its people, from the pen of Brother Snyder, will appear in the July Missionary Magazine. W. A. S.”—

Until quite recently I have been laboring one hundred and sixty miles in the interior. When we left there, ten adults were keeping the Sabbath, and walking in the light as far as presented. The greater part of these desire baptism. Several have had quite a struggle to overcome the tobacco habit, but are now praising the Lord for victory. One is a Paraguayan sister. Considering the fact that the appetite for tobacco is transmitted by heredity from the Paraguayan mother to her children, we can scarcely appreciate the trial one of these must undergo in order to overcome this habit.

The results from the preaching of this truth are the same in South America as in the United States. Up to the present, our efforts have been confined to the French and the German people of the colony. But owing to the calls from the Paraguayans for meetings, we shall, during our next visit, labor for this people. Truly, the fields are white, ready for the harvest. Because of the scattered location of the colonists, only a few of them can assemble in one place. This makes it necessary to travel a great deal on horseback.

One experience impressed me with the importance of scattering our literature. We heard of two French families keeping the Sabbath, and decided to visit them. An elderly man received us cordially, and in answer to our question as to how he learned the Sabbath truth, brought out a large package of our French tracts, written by D. T. Bourdeau, J. N. Andrews, James White, and others. These he had secured in Chile, and as a result soon began to keep the Sabbath. On his arrival here, he taught the truth to others, and besides his wife, who is a Paraguayan woman, another French family joined him in observing the Sabbath. These two families, although alone, celebrated the Lord's Supper together, and practiced the ordinance of humility. They are ready for more light, and think of building a church in which to worship. These results are due to the circulation of our tracts and papers, so I feel that we should sow beside all waters, being assured that the Lord of the harvest will give the increase.

E. W. Snyder.