THE ARGENTINE REPUBLIC AS A MISSION FIELD.
By John M'Carthy
THE Argentine Republic, as all other countries in South America, was originally a Spanish possession. After Columbus had discovered this New World, the king of Spain sent over soldiers, courtiers, and priests, with a viceroy, to govern his new territory, and to bring into submission the aboriginals of the land, who were inclined to be somewhat hostile to the intruders. In some respects the invasion was beneficial. As more modern methods of cultivation were introduced, villages, with houses of very rough structure, sprung up here and there in several of the provinces. Churches were erected in such a hasty manner, and in such uncomely style, as would shock the minds of those who are now clamoring for grand, beautiful, and costly edifices in which to worship God. Many of these capillas, or chapels, were but mud huts, and in these hovels began the promulgation of the system of falsehood and tradition which has spread throughout the length and breadth of the continent, and which has forced millions to bow down in idolatrous worship before the man-raised shrine, to adore the "Virgin Santísima" and all the angels of the celestial sphere, in the place of Jesus, the great Redeemer.475 Great cruelty was manifested towards the natives of this newly found land, it being the one desire of the Spaniards to extirpate them, instead of trying to gain their friendship. So the aboriginals were taught to dread the white man, and were forced to flee from the scenes of former sacredness, by the severity and brute force of the representatives of the so-called Christian country. However, in 1560, some priests of the San Franciscan order, drawn out by compassion for the poor, despised aborigines, went amongst them, spreading the dogmas of the "Holy Catholic Church," and with such energy and zeal did they propagate their views that in a very few years the natives were nearly all converted to the "Blessed Mother Church." Their conversion, however, initiated them into the corrupt morals of their Christian invaders and teachers, and soon they became as corrupt and degenerate as those who were instrumental in bringing them into this "pago-Romish religion." The conquerors also formed a government, which was most peremptory and despotic in its nature, behaving ignominiously toward the poor natives, forcing them into servitude of the most unbearable character, while the women fell victims to their licentiousness. Even as ravenous wolves these Spaniards went about devastating the country of those refusing to become Catholics, havoc and desolation being left in their track wherever they went. Oh, how fictitious is the religion that would so pollute and contaminate the land! How base must be the system that so virulently marauds a country with such detestable rapaciousness! Yet such have ever been the characteristics of Rome. Her great converting power has ever been the sword; the stake, the guillotine, the thumbscrews, the body stretchers, and other instruments of torture, have been the means by which this "abomination of the earth" spread her dogmas and ruled predominantly for 1,260 years, persecuting and burning all who dared to dissent from her heathenish teachings. So matters continued in the Argentine until, at the beginning of the present century, the different provinces and States rose up in rebellion against the Spanish nation, and gained their independence. This state of things has improved as the natural result. Catholicism has to a certain degree received a check; ignorance, the companion of Romanism, is speedily being obliterated, and education is taking its place. About sixty-four years ago the Anglican minister, in connection with the British embassy in Buenos Ayres, moved by the spiritual needs of the people, established religious services for the English-speaking population of the city of Buenos Ayres, and so introduced for the first time in the history of the country the celebration of Protestant worship. Soon after this the Methodist Episcopal Church sent some missionaries to Brazil, and also to the Argentine Republic. This was the commencement of a new era in the history of Protestantism in South America. The gospel had hitherto been preached only in English, but now colporters went about selling Bibles and preaching from house to house. Consent to public preaching in Spanish had not been conceded to the missionaries yet, as Rosas, the Argentine dictator, was greatly opposed to them. However, upon his dethronement, permission was given to preach. Thus in 1867 began their work in real earnest, and the Lord has greatly blessed their efforts. Fourteen mission stations have been established throughout the republic, and more will shortly be opened. Although some victory has thus far been gained, it has only been done by passing through fiery trials. Notwithstanding the fact that the Argentine Government is one of the most liberal in the world, yet in some parts of the republic the priests rule with a "reign of terror." They work upon the fears of the people who attend their churches, commanding them, on pain of excommunication, not to attend Protestant worship or receive their preachers into their houses. But praise be to God, because he hath put his hand to the work of spreading the truth, and is preparing the way for the reception of the Third Angel's Message, and thousands have become Protestants, thus facilitating the proclamation of the everlasting gospel. We admit that the work there is difficult. We have to meet a people who see the shallowness of the "Holy Catholic Church," who think, although it is corrupt and worldly, it is the only true church, and that the others must be in a worse condition than it, and thus they remain in it for want of a purer, nobler, and more elevating religion, while others, detesting her pagan form of worship, flee from its idolatry to the other extreme, infidelity. So we see the people are longing for a holier religion. Who will take it to them? The way is thorny, rough, and steep, and you will meet with much opposition. But there are many sheaves which must be gathered into the heavenly garner. There are many precious souls, for whom Christ died, willing to hear the sound of the gospel trumpet, and to accept the truth as it is in Jesus. Hitherto the country has had to endure the double curse of priestcraft in religion and sword craft in politics, and these have paralyzed the strenuous efforts put forth by some of the best statesmen. However, in recent years these evil influences have to a greater or minor degree been subjugated, and the republic is now on the royal road to prosperity. The Argentine, beyond all shadow of doubt, is the most advanced of all the South American republics. We shall here quote a portion of the account given by the Hon. Bayliss Hanna, United States Minister, which appeared in the New York World, August 17, 1887. He begins thus:— The climate could hardly be surpassed. Fires are but little used in the winter in Buenos Ayres. I repeat that it is an exceptionally healthful climate, there being none more so on earth. The products of the country are almost altogether pastoral; cattle and sheep farming constitute its main industry, which is conducted on a vast scale. The stock runs out all the winter, and is not fed at all, so you see it must be a profitable industry. Both corn and wheat succeed as well, and better, than in the United States. They could excel us if they cultivated as we do. The country has an enormous producing capacity, which of course makes it a matter of vast importance to us. The railroad just about to be completed from Valparaiso to Buenos Ayres will, in my judgment, soon become one of the greatest highways in the world. This extract from the report of so high an official will give just a small idea of the wonderful resources of this young country. Is there good railway communication, it may be asked, running through the Argentine? We respond, There are about 13,000 miles of railroad in working order, independent of 10,000 or 11,000 more miles now in construction. There are about 150 steamships entering the Buenos Ayres and La Plata docks every month, not counting the hundreds (between 400 and 500) of sailing vessels always in the port of Buenos Ayres, or River Riachuelo. The number of cattle raised in 1892 amounted to nearly 150,000,000, including horned cattle, horses, and sheep. The area of land under cultivation in 1893 was 50,000 square kilometers, which figure barely represents two per cent. of the total area of the country. The principal products are maize, wheat, alfalfa, oats, barley, sugar cane, wine, etc. In Buenos Ayres alone there are published about 160 papers and journals. The language of the country is Spanish; all nations and tongues are represented there, yet they all speak the language of sunny Spain. It is estimated that there are about 5,000,000 inhabitants in the Argentine. Religious liberty prevails throughout the entire republic, and the police are willing to protect, if needful, from any effort to hinder the promulgation of any doctrine you have a mind to diffuse. To the best of my knowledge there are no Sunday laws, as horse racing, gambling, betting, theater going, cricket, football, and rowing, are in their glory on the so-called (but fictitious) sabbath. The opportunities here presented for farming are exceptional, and are not known elsewhere. Land is cheap, rain is abundant, and there is a ready market for all produce, so that there is a grand field here for self-supporting missionaries, by which they can make a better living than they can possibly make in many other places, and also help to roll along the grand old gospel chariot. Stop where you are and reflect. What are you doing for Jesus? Are you making any sacrifice for him who sacrificed all for you? Are you willing to waste and rust your talents away? or will you determine to be found faithfully disseminating the three angels' messages should probation close now? O my brother or sister, we must decide now if we would have a part in the propagation of this blessed present truth. The Lord condescends to use us, weak and unworthy as we are. Shall we then withhold ourselves from him? Shall we not yield ourselves wholly, entirely, to him, that he may come into our hearts, to take full possession of all we have and all we hope to be? The Lord hath need of you; he is calling for you; will you answer him, "Here am I, send me"? There is only one missionary to every 250,000 people in that vast territory, and yet the Lord has chosen ones there. Who, then, will volunteer to go to this nation and spread the glorious truth? Who will lay themselves upon the altar of service, to await acceptation of the Lord? Who will humble themselves at the feet of Jesus, there at his holy school to be educated and taught of him, and then to await his bidding to run with his blessed errand and message wheresoever he may send? Who will be as faithful watchmen to proclaim the soon coming of Jesus, and sound out the judgments of God? Let us awake from our sleep; let us shake off drowsiness by permitting the Third Angel's Message to become part of ourselves, to rule our lives. Then we shall "arise and shine;" then shall the world see we have been with Jesus and learned of him. Then too shall we forget self; our one aspiration shall be, "I must be about my Father's business." Let love for souls take full possession of our hearts, to actuate and constrain us to labor in the vineyard, and the joy of service shall excel our highest thought, and all past happiness shall be as dross compared to the sea of joy and peace that will break upon our lives by a complete surrender of all we have to God. Leave all you have, and follow Jesus; leave it now, and walk in the sunshine of his glorious, resplendent presence, and your path through life shall grow transcendently brighter each day. Do a little work for Jesus;
Life's probation soon will close;
Would you have God's approbation?
Use the gifts he now bestows.
Oh, the talents you have wasted
In Satanic service vile!
Work for Jesus; soon he's coming;
'Twill be but "a little while." Oh, what joy! God deigns to use us;
Not that we his love deserve.
Should not this constrain us fully
Only Christ our Lord to serve?
He is not on us dependent;
He could work without our aid.
But he loves to use his children,
Those whose minds are on him stayed. Let us nothing keep from Jesus;
He should have our all, not part.
Men entirely consecrated
He can bless, his word impart
To a world so dark, benighted.
He will use us, souls to bring
Out of darkness, while we humbly,
Lowly, at his cross do cling.