TWO years ago a tribe of Indians far back in the interior of Brazil, sent representatives to the capital, with the purpose in view of interviewing the authorities relative to providing them with schools. The delegation was much disappointed in not being able to accomplish their object, and turned homeward. But on their way they providentially met some missionaries, and plans for school work were agreed upon. Schools have since been started.
The fact that even the Indians of South America are calling for schools, and desiring the Gospel to be preached to them, is evidence that the time has come for the Gospel to go to the world. "Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest."
Five years ago a missionary passed through Rio de Janeiro on his way to Chile to labor for the Indians in that country, and he is still in the field doing Gospel work. He told me that he verily believed that when the Gospel was carried to the Indians, the work would be finished, and the Lord would come.
The Lord is using men and women everywhere to spread the Gospel, and John 4:35 is being fulfilled nearly everywhere now. There is still a great work to be done; but it is no greater than can be accomplished in this generation, for the Lord has declared it shall be finished. The question with us is, Shall we all fall into line, and help to do the work? or shall we allow some one else to take our crown?
Not alone Brazil, but all the other countries in our sister continent to the southward, are asking, Who will come and help us? Uruguay is a good country, settled by Spaniards and a considerable number of Germans. The advent message is already being proclaimed there; but the laborers are few. The Argentine Republic, with its broad prairies and vast wheat fields waving in the southern breezes, presents a beautiful picture, and affords splendid opportunities for labor. The Spanish is the language of the country; but there are many German colonies, and some English people there.
When we come to Chile we find a long strip of country with a salubrious climate. Here the message of the Lord's coming is making comparatively slow progress for want of help. The laborers there are calling for canvassers; and when they go, let a few good families, rooted and grounded in the truth, go with them, and locate there, and help in bearing the last message of mercy to that people. Those who go will need some means to get started with, and then they can live there as well as here.
I might speak of Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and so on around. Who will volunteer to go to these fields, and, pressing the battle to the front, complete the work? The laborers in these countries are working hard, and sacrificing for the cause of truth we so much love. People are accepting the Gospel, and in turn they carry it on to others. They rejoice in the truth when it is presented to them; and all companies and churches go right to work, helping to give the message, for they believe the end is near.
Brethren and sisters, consider these matters prayerfully, and ask God in sincerity, in deed and in truth, "What wilt Thou have me to do?"
