"THIRTY more ready for baptism!" With this cry I was greeted by the Indian brethren by Lake Titicaca, in the Peruvian Andes, four months after a former stay among them. It was true. Thirty more were walking in the light, meeting at the altar of prayer morning and night, and worshiping on the Lord's holy Sabbath.
I found many more awaiting instruction and treatment. Calls came in to visit the sick. On23reaching their homes, I would find, instead of one person, five or ten others, who had been brought from still more distant parts. After attending the sick, a meeting would be called for. The people never tired of hearing about Jesus, and that He was soon coming back to earth.
INTERIOR OF OUR ARGENTINE PRINTING OFFICE
At one place, a boy eight years old was brought to me. Disease had destroyed the sight of both eyes, and he was sobbing as if his heart would break. I drew the little fellow close to me, and explained that if he gave his heart to the Lord, and remained faithful, Jesus would soon take him to a new home, and his sight would be restored. The child stopped weeping; his face lighted up as this new hope came to him — the "blessed hope," the same that cheers our hearts.
Every day more people came long distances, bringing their sick, two and three days' journey. But the sad part of it was, we had no place to keep them, nor had we the proper food for them. Twenty-two patients were compelled to lie on the bare ground in a school building, without sufficient covering. I had used up everything available of which to make bandages and compresses. Finally, I asked Brother Comacho, our chief brother here, if the people would stop coming soon.
"No," he said; "the people will return to their homes and tell others in still more distant parts."
I told him that it was better that I should leave for the present, and that I would present their needs to our conference brethren, and the Lord willing, I would soon return to fit up a place where the sick could be cared for. All we need is a plain two-story building, fitted up to give the most simple of our treatments; board beds, which we will make ourselves; and then provide these sick with clean, well-cooked food, as the case may demand.
Some may wonder why they are sick; but this is no secret. It is because of their ignorance of the laws of health. Cleanliness is something they do not understand. To help them, I formed what I called a "washing class." It was very amusing, at the same time pathetic, to watch an Indian scrub one part of his face or hands until told that it was time to move on. What they need is simple, loving instruction in the principles of right living, and how to believe on the Lord Jesus.
