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are today. From plane and forest, from mountain and valley, from mansion, cottage, and hut, a host
will yet come to meet their returning Lord. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 184.9}
Conditions are developing that bid us hasten our work. We who are laboring in Roman Catholic
countries must look with grave concern on the purposes of Rome in the United States, the growth
of her power, and the boldness of her claims. Her success there will surely react on our South
American fields. The doors the Lord has so graciously opened will again be closed. Difficulties will
increase, and the work must be done under bitter persecution, and amid war and revolution. These
facts urge us on to do our best now. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 184.10}
Needs
Some of the most urgent needs of our field are the following:— {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 184.11}
1. The further division of the South American Union field, organizing a union mission, composed
of the republics of Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia. This is a special request of the South American
Union committee. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 184.12}
2. A General Conference representative to attend the South American Union meetings in 1914.
{GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.1}

3. An ordained minister for Argentina. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.2}

4. A minister for Peru. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.3}
5. A physician to enter some River Plate medical college, and as soon as possible take a
complete medical examination and secure a diploma. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.4}
6. Missionary nurses for Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.5}
7. A missionary canvasser for Ecuador. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.6}
8. The strengthening of our Indian work by additional help, so that this work may be opened up
in the city of La Paz. In this, the desirability of a young man of good education who should study
the native languages with a view of translating portions of the Bible into them, should be
considered. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.7}
9. A missionary canvasser for the Straits of Magellan and the Falkland Islands. {GCB May 29, 1913, p.
185.8}

10. Ownership of suitable places of worship in several of our large cities. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.9}
11. A general strengthening of our work along all lines in all fields. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.10}
J. W. WESTPHAL, President.
W. T. Knox: Julio Ernst, of the same field, is called for to report. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.11}
Julio Ernst (reading):— {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.12}

REPORT OF THE UPPER PARANA MISSION

The Upper Parana Mission includes the republic of Paraguay and the northern part of the
province of Corrientes, the territories of Formosa, Chaco, and Missiones, which belong to the
Argentine Republic, having altogether a population of about eight hundred thousand. {GCB May 29,
1913, p. 185.13}

Early History
As the name Missiones indicates, these places have been Jesuit missions during the Spanish
colonial period, where, under the pretext of civilizing and converting the Indians, they put them
under the bonds of slavery, obliging them to work, building their temples and towns, and carrying

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out their industrial and agricultural plans, whose proceeds eventually enriched the church. {GCB May
29, 1913, p. 185.14}

To obtain their object, the Indians were made to believe that by making these sacrifices, they
would gain heaven. Those who rebelled, received corporal punishment. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.15}
Finally the government suspected the Jesuits of taking part in a conspiracy against the proper
authorities, and the Spanish government expelled them, in 1967, leaving their towns in ruins.
Nevertheless, the Catholic Church continued as the religion of the state, and sowed superstition,
idolatry, ignorance, and a very lamentable social state amongst the white people, as well as the
Indians. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.16}
Conditions Today
Such is the condition even today in Paraguay, as it is the policy of Rome to hold them subject to
its yoke. Nevertheless, the government has made efforts during past decades to educate the
masses, and there exists a fair number of schools in the cities, although they are few and deficient
in the country. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.17}
In Argentina it is much better, as the federal government maintains a goodly number of excellent
schools, both in the country and in the towns. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.18}
Hospitality
The inhabitants of these republics are very hospitable and generous; the natives are especially
so. The traveler in the country will find hospitality wherever he goes. In my canvassing tours in the
interior, I have seldom found it necessary to make a request; for favors were extended without
asking; and if pay was offered, they were frequently offended. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.19}
Beginning of our Work
The beginning of our work in Paraguay was by means of tracts and papers, which were sent by
a brother in Uruguay to his relatives. They soon became interested, and requested help, which
was responded to by sending Brother Snyder, twelve years ago. The work grew slowly at the
beginning, but soon it extended more rapidly in the Argentine territory of Missiones. In order to
work with the people, we have to be careful not to offend them in respect to their idols and saints.
They are very superstitious in this respect. In spite of the fact that I was reared in a Catholic
country, I have been greatly surprised at their superstition. It is quite easy, however, to talk to them
of the love of God, and salvation through Christ, and of his second coming, and finally, the change
made by the church in the law of God. Those who accept the Bible generally have little difficulty in
accepting the gospel in all its fullness. Once their confidence is gained, they can be easily guided
into the truth. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.20}
With all this, a year or more is necessary for them to truly understand Adventism, and be
baptized. After they accept the gospel, it is necessary to free them from their vicious custom of
drinking mate, or Paraguayan tea and from the use of tobacco, which they use very much, the
women even more than the men. After that we have to get rid of the idols, which in some homes
furnish a good museum as to their variety and aspect. At last we have to oblige them to get
married, as a rule. This may seem strange, nor does it mean that we do not baptize old maids and
bachelors. The fact is that scarcely thirty or forty per cent of the parents of children are married.
This illustrates some of the fruits of Catholicism. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.21}
Progress
However, the power of the gospel of Christ is the same in all parts. We have faithful brethren.
We are told that one who is forgiven much, love much. So we find that these brethren have a live
interest in sending the good news to others, and many of them with success. Thus we see the

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fulfillment of Isaiah 55:10, 11, which says: “For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from
heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it
may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my
mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall
prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.22}
At a general meeting, much disturbance was made about the tent, the throwing of stones,
bones, etc. A number of soldiers off duty maltreated a brother, took his Bible from him, and took it
to the barracks. Here a sergeant became interested in reading it, notwithstanding the jeers of his
companions. He took it home, and showed it to his wife, who changed her conception of
Adventists, and becoming interested, came to our Sabbath-school. Eventually, both accepted the
truth and were baptized. Another was baptized later, and others were interested, on account of that
Bible. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.23}
In another case we see how the Lord goes before us in the work. A sister went out to work in
another town. She had a sick daughter, who was attended by a quack doctor. Meanwhile the lady
received a letter from my wife, addressed, “My dear sister in Christ,” which heading was read by
the doctor. He inquired what that religion was, and asked explanations. As this man knew of the
gospel and of the Sabbath, having previously read the Bible, he wrote to us. I answered, promising
to visit him on my coming tour to the churches. When I arrived, he had invited a number of
neighbors, who heard for the first time the gospel of Christ. We had two meetings during the two
days’ visit. The result was that both the doctor and his wife accepted the truth, and others were
favorably impressed. As I could not remain longer, I sent for a Bible worker to follow up the
interest, and the last I heard before leaving, it is still increasing. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.24}
At the same time I had a letter from Pastor Luis Rojas, who went to visit a place where Brother
Taborda and other brethren have labored, and where there are twenty who have accepted the
Sabbath. And now among these there are eight intelligent persons who will soon be ready for
baptism. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.25}
Only a short time past, we commenced work in the city of Corrientes, the capital of the province
of the same name. This has always been a fortress of the clergy, whose bishop some years ago
caused one of our canvassers to be imprisoned. When taken before the judge he had a discussion
with the bishop, who demanded that his books be burned and that he be banished from the town.
Those who listened were inclined to favor our brother, and a lawyer made it known that such an
act was unconstitutional. At once the canvasser was liberated, and proceeded to sell his books
with more success than ever. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.26}
According to reports of Biblical colporteurs, the clergy has obliged them to retire in Corrientes. It
is gratifying to note, however, that the more educated classes are rapidly becoming emancipated
from the clerical yoke, following the example of the more southern cities, where the priests are
more the objects of ridicule than anything else. We have gone to this city to raise the standard of
truth. Our canvassers have sold many “Home and Health,” besides religious books. {GCB May 29, 1913,
p. 185.27}

Already, we have a family which has accepted the truth, and I was impressed when the brother
used the language of the Bible without ever having read or seen one. Truly I see that he has come
into the light. One of our canvassers obtained admittance to the president of Paraguay to present
“Patriarchs and Prophets.” He subscribed, and gave permission to present the book to the
remaining government employees. Thus many orders were taken. One of these, on receiving the
book, said, “I am glad to have this good book, with which I make war against the priests.” Many are
undeceived, as well as tired of Romish doctrines, and it seems to me that this is the opportune
moment for carrying them the good news, while they have religious feelings; for if they stand still
without help, they finally go to the extremes of unbelief and atheism, which is most difficult and
dangerous. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 185.28}

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The workers of our mission are all converts of the mission, excepting me, and we are all South
Americans. There are two ordained ministers, one Bible worker, two canvassers, and two graduate
nurses, who have just arrived. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 186.1}
One who was graduated at the same time was sent to Peru, and two other youth of intelligence
and consecration will finish their course this year, and hope to enter the work. These belong to our
field. Thus we soon will have produced several earnest workers. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 186.2}
Although Satan works with great wrath here, as in other places, the future of the work looks
hopeful. Last year, twenty-five were baptized. We have in all about two hundred ten members,
some of whom are from Brazil and Switzerland. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 186.3}
Finances
Our financial entry for 1912 was $1,512.94 tithe; Sabbath-school collection, $274.16; other
offerings, $143; total, $1,930.10. This gives $7.20 tithe per capita, or $9.19 total contribution. This
may seem small, but those who know the poverty of the greater portion of our church, will consider
it quite satisfactory. Still there are many places that no worker has yet entered. The work seems
greater than we can accomplish, and we lack laborers. But when we think that there are other
missions near by that have fewer workers in comparison, we do not feel like asking for more. We
only ask earnestly that we may have your prayers, that we may be filled with the Holy Spirit, and
united in the love of Christ, and that we may feel debtors to our fellow men to carry quickly the
triple message to all the world, so that Christ may come and take us to the mansions which he has
prepared. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 186.4}
J. ERNST, President.
W. T. Knox: It is so near the hour of adjourning, it hardly seems wise to undertake another
report. We have yet three other laborers from South America to report to us. A motion to adjourn
would be in order. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 186.5}
A. G. Daniells: Before we adjourn, I should like to say that we will not have a conference
session this afternoon. Quite a number have expressed the desire to meet personally the
missionaries who are here, all our representatives from different lands. So the pastoral committee
has arranged for this, and at 2:30 this afternoon we will gather here and have a reception for our
foreign people. We would like to have our brethren and sisters have the opportunity to meet these
brethren and sisters, and shake hands with them, and express their good wishes. Some have
been working here in this land for the laborers in different mission fields, and have been rallying
the young people, in providing offerings, and many of the missionaries’ names have been used in
connection with these efforts. It will be a pleasure for our home workers to meet with our
missionaries and representatives from abroad. We will ask all the delegates and friends from
abroad to gather on the platform at the opening of the meeting; then after the opening exercises,
we can meet one another and become acquainted. Here Conference adjourned. {GCB May 29, 1913, p.
186.6}

W. T. KNOX, Chairman;
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.

A MISSIONARY RECEPTION

According to appointment the missionaries present from lands outside North America,
assembled on the platform at 2:30 P. M., for a general reception. Following are some of the good
things enjoyed on this occasion. Seated in front with our missionaries were Elders Butler, Haskell,
and Loughborough. {GCB May 29, 1913, p. 186.7}

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