PERU by G. H. Baber

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 6, 1900

PERU

By G. H. Baber

LIMA.—The effort at Huara, in the saltpeter district of Tarapaca, was closed the 23d of October. Four persons were baptized in a large iron tank filled with salt water, there being no streams of fresh water near. This company numbers nine now, and all seem to be of good courage. Since leaving Iquique, word has come that there are several more who desire baptism at that place. At the close of the meetings there, I gave the brethren this text: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10. I am glad to learn that they have been working in harmony with the text. The 25th I embarked at Pisagua for Callao, Peru.

I am now in Lima, where the beast seems a more lively quantity than in the capital city of Chile. I found Brother Escobar firm in the faith, and quietly working as a self-supporting missionary, with some prospects of an increased following. However, the national church power has recently received encouragement by the election of President Romaña, and the priests are improving the occasion to crowd out the Protestants. October 21 the mayor of Lima called the attention of his officials to a law of the city, passed in 1896, requiring the closing of all factories, stores, or other establishments of business on religious feast days, and also prohibiting all personal work on Sundays, except such work as may be authorized by the municipality by special license.

For some time the country has been in a revolution, headed by Dr. Durand; but revolutions in Peru are too common to attract much attention. The caldron of discontent is boiling here, as everywhere else.

Last night I held a meeting behind closed doors and windows, according to law; but notwithstanding, the sons of the beast raged in the street and around the door like wounded animals of prey. When we opened the doors and windows, after the services were over, they came to the doors and windows, and howled out their insults and threats. One liquor seller across the street declared that he could not endure such a scandal as a Protestant meeting so near his family. Probably he is afraid they will hear a word of truth, and thus be led to depreciate him and his vile business.

With the favor of God, I shall continue here several days. G. H. BABER.