Sunday, October 5, 2008

The forgotten book that lead Alexander to become a Seventh Day Adventist

Around 1895 an American colpoteur by the name of T. H. Davis, stopped by Santa Catalina to sell religious books (http://www.theliteratureevangelist.com/HiveHandler.aspx?page=The_Ministry_of_Publications&action=revision&revision=2). Family history tells us that Alexander bought an English book titled “The Great Controversy Between Christ and His Angels and Satan and His Angels” by Ellen Gould White (originally published in 1858, with a reprint in 1884 and 1888). Ellen G. White, is an inspired religious writer and founder of the Seventh Day Adventist Church (SDA).

This book was placed in a trunk for safekeeping and quickly forgotten. Four years later in 1899 Mr. Davis stopped by again, and Alexander remembered his previous book and rescued it. During this second visit he purchased another book titled “Daniel and the Revelation” by Uriah Smith (London International Trust Society Ltd 1897) “Uriah Smith is best remembered for his book generally known by the short title Daniel and the Revelation. This book marked the beginning of the sale of doctrinal subscription books in the colporteur work of the SDA Church” (http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/clt4/drbio.htm).

In time the Cameron's were baptized and became pillars of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Southern Chile. The first Adventist School in Chile was opened in 1906 (picture below) and was located in Pua (less than 10 kilometers from Santa Catalina). This is where the Cameron children learned how to read and write (http://centenario.unach.cl/historia/index.php). Alexanders son, John (and my grandfather) was among the first graduates of “La Escuela Adventista de Pua.” He graduated at 23 years old, which is a testament to the fact that work came first and schooling was done when time was available.

Legend also has it that Alexander enjoyed the pleasures of a single malt Scottish whiskey. Not surprising for a man man who brought to the new world his clan kilt, sword, and bagpipes.



Annie showing the clan colors (circa 1920)

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