On the Argentine Plains
By W. A. Spicer
Out on the rolling plains, fourteen miles from the river port of Diamante, the South American Union training institutions are located. They grew up here more in the course of nature than by the planning of the brethren. That is, the truth gained a first foothold in this country between the great rivers of the Parana and the Uruguay, because here were German and Russian colonists. As believers were raised up, the young people wanted an education for the work. Land was given and purchased, and here the school work began. Six years ago there was but one building here, and class-room facilities of the most meager sort. Yet the school turned out young people who are bearing burdens to-day and leading out in the work in various fields. Now there is a good college building, and an enrolment of about one hundred twenty-five is expected this year. Prof. W. C. John is director, and he and his associates are leading an earnest band of young people and children into the way of service. The union conference has called Elder W. W. Wheeler, of Ecuador, to take the department of Bible instruction, and all expect this year to be the best and strongest in the history of the school. Alongside the school is the sanitarium, a health institution in the country,—so far in the country that on busy days the roadway alongside is lined with carts and farm wagons that have brought patients or their friends. The growth of the institution is a wonderful testimony to the power of the methods that the Lord has given us for the healing of the sick. Years ago Dr. R. H. Habenicht came to South America. He settled here among the farm colonists. No permission could be secured to practise in towns where other physicians were; but here in the country the sick began to learn that there was help for them. Six years ago, on my first visit, when there was no institution, I saw how the doctor's house was visited by the sick brought in by farm wagons, and how he was sent for to come many leagues over the plains to visit those who could not be brought to him. Out of this has grown up a health institution, to-day as full of patients as its accommodations will allow. The special law passed to restrict the institution's growth allows but twenty-five in-patients. The house has this number now, and there are more than a dozen others in outbuildings. Our brethren thank God that the law recognizes their work even to this extent, and hope to see the restriction removed. Last year, through the influence of physicians in the towns, who found their patients coming to the country to get the care of our institution, it seemed for a time that the work would be stopped. But so many had been helped and blessed by the medical work that protests came to the local government from every side. It led really to a sort of cabinet crisis; and out of it came the compromise law allowing the work to go forward, but with limitations. Still Dr. Habenicht is called to go long journeys to attend the sick. Last evening a farm wagon was sent, and the doctor left our committee meeting to make the journey, accompanied by a nurse. This forenoon he got back, having saved two lives. Now Dr. Geo. B. Replogle is associated with Dr. Habenicht, and Sister Lillian Voris is matron and one of the instructors in the nurses' class. The first class graduates this year. There is a sturdy band of young men and women in training, who will be a success in the work, we are assured. It is encouraging to see the sanitarium training-school turn out these nurses, who already have the Spanish tongue and can take up the work in needy fields. We shall doubtless be called upon now and then to supply still further trained nursing help from North America, but from now on we may expect to see more and more of the South American young people in active field service in this department of work. The third angel's message is bearing the same fruitage in South America as in all the world. It is good to meet the workers and believers, and the Lord has richly blessed in the meetings. Camerero, Entre Rios. W. A. S.