CHILE by Wm. Steele

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, Cal. · Jul 4, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 26.

CHILE

By Wm. Steele

EIGHTEEN months have passed since our arrival in Valparaiso. The morning of our arrival was one long to be remembered. After our ship anchored we waited anxiously the coming of Brother Ketring, whose knowledge of the language was a great help to us in getting ashore. At the end of a few day's searching, we found rooms in which to live, and I began immediately working in the mission office.

Four months later we moved into the mission, where we were living when it was burned. The loss of our household goods, together with other things of value, was a severe trial to us, but it has only served to help us more fully to realize the perishable character of earthly treasures, and the necessity of making sure of heavenly ones.

As we read week after week in the columns of the Review of the new workers who have gone to swell the band of reapers, our hearts are made glad, for we know that soon the harvest will be reaped, and our Saviour will come to give the faithful ones their promised reward.

The first of the present year I had the pleasure of taking a trip to Iquique in company with Brother J. W. Westphal. From Valparaiso north to Peru there are no railroads; it was necessary therefore to make the trip by steamer.

In order to save expense we traveled third class, which on these coast steamers has about as few accommodations as one can imagine. One must take his own bed, and if he can find room to lay it on the deck, he is fortunate. Traveling in this way one has companions of both sexes and nearly all classes. On our trip both going and coming all the available space allotted to third-class passengers was occupied. Many of these people have never had a bath since they were infants, and if appearances count for anything they did not get many even then.

One man with whom I conversed, remarked that he was, "un hombre muy seco," never having had a bath since he could remember. One must also provide his own tin pan from which to eat the soup and beans which are supplied to the passengers in this class. Twice a day a very black, dirty, usually ragged boy brought a large can filled with soup, or beef and beans, as the case may be, and served the guests. One must needs be ready to receive his portion at once or go without, as the boy never tarries long.

From Coquimbo north to Peru the country is very mountainous and barren; there is absolutely no vegetation, the people are engaged in mining salt-petre and copper, there being many mines of this class.

Our first meeting was held in Antofagasta, where there is a little company of six members. Three of these have been engaged more or less in the canvassing work, and have awakened an interest to hear the truth in some of the mining camps. No doubt several will be added to their number during this year as the result of the labors of these faithful canvassers. We continued to hold meetings at this place for nearly a week, and left the brethren much encouraged.

As our steamer stopped only a short time at each port, we held no other meetings until we reached Iquique, at which place we held our annual meeting for the brethren in the north of Chile. Two meetings were held each day, which were fairly well attended, especially the evening meetings.

The church was reorganized, and is in better working condition than ever before. During these meetings four precious souls were buried with our Lord in baptism. Three were baptized the Sabbath after we left by the local elder, and others desired baptism in the near future. One of the brothers baptized accepted the truth some two or three years ago, but had been afraid of being baptized because of ill health, the doctors telling him he would die if he entered the water. The next day after his baptism he said he felt better than for some time.

As the general meeting for the south of Chile was to commence the 9th of February, we were obliged to return to Valparaiso the last of January without visiting the isolated brethren, as we desired very much to do. This meeting was held in Santiago, the capital of the republic, and the brethren were united in saying it was the largest, best, and most harmonious one ever held in Chile. The Lord was present to bless. Three new believers were baptized, and three backsliders reclaimed. The report of the secretary and treasurer showed that there had been a good increase in the tithes and offerings in the ten months ending Dec. 31, 1905, over the thirteen months ending February 1905.

The brethren in all parts of the field are taking more interest in the different branches of the work, and we expect greater advancement the present year than ever before. To the Lord be all the praise. WM. STEELE. Sec. and Treas. West Coast Mission. Casilla 787, Valparaiso, Chile.