The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-01-09

year were: First, the manifest in
terest we found In South America in
general and in our work in Brazil in
particular; secondly, the definite in
terest Of the international committee
and their secretaries. Six years ago
when Mrs. Manuel and l were about
to leave for Brazil, two couples, Mr..
and Mrs. Ewald, who had already
spent some time in South America,
end we were the only South Ameri-
can representatives In the setting-up
conference of the foreign work sec
taries. This year nineteen people
representing the South American
continent >were present. Two other
couples were in the states, but un-
able to ! attend the conference. In
other words. eleven married secre-
taries and one Of manageable age,
were either Nome on furlough, sail
ing this fall, or invited to sail next
year. This represents decided gam
over the conference of six years ago.
The third, and to my mind the most
hopeful sign of permaneccy IN our
enterprise, wsls the WAY our Hatih
American young hten who are sluuy-
ing in North American un1Verslties,
entered into the spirit OF the Lake
Geneva Young Mems Christian asso-
citation student conference. Ihere
were twenty-seven of these fine Eel
lows in attendance. Every morning
VIC met for Bible study and confer
ence. No other group had more
perfect record of attendance, and l
dare say no livelier discussions took
place.
Leader a Latin.
The leader was Latin hlmseI.
He is a young man VINO Wouia 40
credit to any North American un1Ver-
sity. At the end of our ten DAYS TO-
gether twenty of the twenty-five who
remained throughout the conference,
signed a declaration to live the
christian life. One Of the two who
did not take The step was an avowed
materialistic II ofessor who tried to
counteract the spirit of the memor-
able session oy exposing his material
istic views while the declarations
we're being signed. Fortunately he
talked himself out. The other young
man has written me since that the
little booklet THE Meaning OF
PRAYER" which ! left with him, has
given him a new viewpoint and that
he is earnestly seeking the light
From this group we may look TOT
native secretaries. One young man
fold me he was going to consider
seriously whether he could be OF
more real service in the secretaryshlp
q. South America than as Spanish
teacher in the University OF Illinois.
Several others are considering their
lies work in the light of the Geneva
experience.
Visited Associations.
Between three and four months OF
nv furlough were spent in travelling
among the different associations In.
terested in South America. Two ana
a half months were spent with our
yamilies. Five months were spent at
the University of Chicago In furtner
nreparation for the difficult work we
are irving to do. The permanency OF
orr work will depend upon the sue
cess we have in enlisting competent
brazilian young men and training
them for leadership in the assocla-
tom movement. The most promising
leaders are 10 be found in the uni
yersities and it is here that we are
manning to concentrate our enorts
for the next few years. We Will
mood your prayers and interest more
than ever. It is always an inspira-
tion to receive personal messages
from friends at home.