nineteen hundred and forty-six - Amazon Web Services

280 SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION
successful as a traveling evangelist and having already organized groups in
several country districts, consented. As this work grew, he felt his need for
further preparation, so he went to Santiago to our Seminary to study. During
these two years, he made arrangements for his work to be taken care of
throughout the winter months; and in the summer, he and his wife came back
to continue evangelistic efforts. He finished his seminary studies in November,
at the age of thirty-two, and returned to take up his task. He had many plans
for the coming year, but he did not live to carry them out. On January 3, 1946,
God called him home suddenly.
"We wondered who would take Hermes' place in such a needy field, and
thanked God when one of his co-workers, Oscar Palma, a young man also
reared in the country and used to the rigors of the evangelistic work, appealed
to the committee to be allowed the privilege of carrying on. Pray for him as
he enters this field, accessible only by walking or by going on horseback."
Here is an excerpt from a letter from Rev. W. Q. Maer who has his automobile
so equipped that he can use with it a loud speaker, moving pictures,
and gospel records. He is doing a good work in the rural sections.
"I am holding a meeting up here in the country at San Cornelio, and am
making use of my equipment. The weather has been fierce. Yesterday it
snowed 'a plenty,' but today it has cleared up. Tonight is the last night of
the meeting, and we have had a splendid one; not only in attendance, but there
have been many to take a stand for the Lord."
PUBLICATIONS
Dr. R. C. Moore is head of publication work in Chile. From him we learn
that: "Perhaps no phase of the work has suffered more acutely from the skyrocketing
inflation, than have publications. However, the book store continues
to serve our churches in supplying them with wholesome evangelical literature.
This is attested by the fact that the total volume of sales is greater than in any
previous year.
"The W.M.U. magazine, La Ventana, has the unique distinction of having a
larger circulation than the number of members in the societies in Chile, in addition
to some circulation in Argentina and other countries. The W.M.U., with
rare courage, has begun a new program paper for the junior missionary organizations,
La Estrella (The Star)."
God has been gracious to us in all of our work, and we are grateful to
him that there is a Pathway to Peace.
ANTOFAGASTA SEEKS THE WAY OF PEACE
J. L. HART
To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death:
To guide our feet into the way of peace.—Luke 1:79
The year 1945 in North Chile was one in which many found Jesus as
"the Way." It was also a year of preparation in order that many more might
find Him as the only Way of life. Just how many have been saved only God
knows. Some who had accepted Christ, moved away before uniting with the
church, and still others are afraid to come out and openly join the Evangelicals.
Thirty-five were buried with Christ in baptism. Those who had already found
Christ as "the Way," gave two thousand dollars to help others find him.
Other outstanding events in preparation for future work were the purcha
of a splendid property for the Good Will Center; the coming of two young men
from our Seminary in Buenos Aires, to dedicate their lives to the preaching of
the gospel on this physical and spiritual desert; and last, but by no means least,
the arrival of the Antofagasta Church at the important place of self support.
Many of our members have felt as never before the urgent need of winning
to Christ members of their families, fellow workmen, and neighbors. One
earnest woman has already won to the Lord six members of her family. Thousands
of tracts have been distributed, many Bibles and Testaments sold, and
more people than ever before have been reached by the gospel.