Story Told in His Native Way—Arrested but Delivered
[The following was written by the first Indian missionary sent out from our Inca Indian school, and is translated from the Spanish.]
BROTHER CENTENA and I left La Plateria Mission October 25, and returned November 24, having enjoyed the rich blessings of God during all our journey.
The first place visited was Sahancutta, where there are thousands of Indians who do not know the gospel. We took great pleasure in testifying, visiting homes, and offering tracts for sale. Two youths and an old man were much interested.
We then journeyed on to Juli, where we have a baptized sister, Fornasa Maita — the only Christian among thousands of Indians. We looked for her house, but could not find it. Finally we found her in the market place. She introduced us as messengers of the gospel, and the people received us gladly. In one home, we spoke from Matt. 24: 14 and Rev. 14: 6, 7. The people marveled, and begged us to come again and study the word of God with them.
We continued our journey to Punate and Challapampa. The people of the latter place listened very attentively to the words of God. They told us they wished a school there like the one in La Plateria.
We passed on to another place, called Cesipa, where many people received us well. We preached from the word of God, and they believed the words to which they listened. Imploringly they ask for a school and a mission. They are ready to put up a building for a school. They wished to give us alcoholic drinks, but we did not accept them. We explained to them what great damage alcohol does to the human family. Then, according to their custom, because of their gratitude, they wished to give us something; so they made a small collection, each one giving a few cents.
We went on our way, announcing the "good news," and singing in some homes. This was the first time the people had ever heard such hymns. At Cuttini, we found many interested ones, and some who wished to be baptized.
We proceeded in the direction of Cotoroma, climbing the Cordilleras to the very elevated Sierras. We arrived at one place where the people knew of the gospel through Brother Stahl's visit more than a year ago, and some of them wish to be baptized.
Have Quit Their Vices
Descending the mountains, we came to Quinvani, where we met the people who had come to La Plateria asking for a mission to be established among them. We had Bible studies with those interested. Five persons accepted the gospel with all their hearts. They have quit their vices, are keeping the commandments of God, and are ready to receive baptism. They ask for a teacher who can instruct them and their children in the ways of the great Teacher. They said they were ready to help the missionaries in every possible manner; and in their great thankfulness, they were actually planting potatoes for the mission. They told us they were tired of their old ways, and with all their strength they wish to change their manner of living, even to their clothes. They wish to deliver themselves completely to the high God.
Lieutenant Governor Arrests Him
We arrived Thursday afternoon at Juli, where we had promised to study the word of God further with an interested family. The following day, we appointed a church service about a mile and a half from the city. Upon arriving at the place, we saw a horseman and the lieutenant governor coming toward us. They called to us urgently. When we reached them, they struck at us with their whips. The governor asked, "Who are you?" We told him we were evangelists from La Plateria, and were there to teach the people the word of God. They were very fanatical, and took us to the police station. The lieutenant governor was very angry, and talked much against the gospel, and wished to hit us again, but God remarkably protected us from all harm. We were conducted to the city, and kept at the station five hours.
THE OLD INDIAN OF WHOM WE BOUGHT THE MISSION PROPERTY AND AN INDIAN WOMAN WEAVING BY HIS HUT
During these hours, we had opportunity to witness for the gospel to all the officers and soldiers. Although some of them were against the gospel, yet the greater number were convinced and in favor of the truth. We asked permission to bring tracts, that they might buy them. We went with a soldier to our lodging place, and brought all the tracts we had, which we sold and gave to the soldiers and the officers.
Released and Honored
After a while, we were taken to the subprefecto. We presented our certified letters from the superintendent of the Indian Mission. The subprefecto said that the evangelists were a good and honorable people. He said, "You may go, sons; you are free." Then we passed by the Plaza de Armas; and the lieutenant governor called loudly to the people: "Here are the evangelists. Buy yourselves books." We sold many tracts, and then sat down on a bench in the public square to rest, and study with the people. A man came to us there who wanted to know about the gospel.
We were very thankful to the Lord that we could testify for the truth in such a marvelous manner. As a result of the persecution, some gentlemen invited us to visit them. They asked the cause of our being arrested, and we told them about it. They said, "God grant that there shall be liberty of religion, that you may go anywhere."
The next day, we went to the place where the meeting had been broken up the day before; and instead of a tumult, we now found friends. After the meeting, we continued our journey, and arrived at Ilavi on market day. We looked for our Brother Ramos, but could not find his house. We then came on home.
For the great blessing of working in the vineyard of the Lord we are very thankful to our God, because He has intrusted to us His blessed work. My desire is to go forward with all the strength I have.
