Today we conclude our series “Gilchrist in Chile” with a brief testimony and prayer by the Rev. George R.M. Gilchrist, and we also thank his son, Dr. Paul R. Gilchrist, for making all of this available to our readers. May our Lord and Savior be glorified.

GEORGE R.M. GILCHRIST, MISSIONARY TO CHILE
25^TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION — 1961 Message to Iglesia Presbiteriana Nacional de Chile: “My Motive as a Missionary”

The first questions of the Catechism indicates the motive which I have had serving as a missionary.  
WSC Q. l – What is the chief end of man?  
Ans.  Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
Romans 11:36 states:  For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.  To Him be the glory forever. Amen. 
And 1 Corinthians 10:31: Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 
WSC Q. 2 – What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him? 
Ans. The Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him. 
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and it is profitable teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. 
WSC Q. 3 – What do the Scriptures principally teach? 
Ans.  The Scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man. 
John 20:31 says:  But these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. 
Romans 15:4 likewise:  For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

My life’s purpose has been to glorify God through present Jesus Christ as preeminent in all things, as illustrate through the Sacred Scriptures.  Jesus Christ is the Eternal Word, the Truth and the express image of God.  Through Him we are able to know God – His character, His plans and purposes, His holiness, and His justice, and His love.

Jesus Christ is the Word incarnate.  The Holy Bible – the Sacred Scriptures, are the ever-present presentation of God for us here on this earth.  Thus, the Bible is the Written Word, sufficient to give us a complete knowledge of God.

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The experiences of 1944 were very bitter for me, nevertheless I give thanks to God for those experiences, for, because of them I was set free from an ecclesiastical denomination which now has almost completely rejected the solid foundation of the Word of God.  I am thankful for that special meeting of the Presbytery of Chile which made me realize the political base of that religious body.  The blessings that I have received after that session which resulted in separating me from the Presbyterian Church, USA, has given me many blessings, and have brought me great peace to my heart, so that I have tried not to feel any rancor in my heart for the men who caused  me so much bitterness and tears.

Furthermore, the richest blessings have resulted in a camaraderie with the men and women who supported me during the trials of the year 1944, and the years following.  I am grateful to God for the true spiritual friendship which we have had with the brethren of the National Presbytery of Chile.  May God continue to bless you all, in the fruitful service which you all have embarked to serve Him.

Understanding the direction in which the Holy Spirit has guided you in these last twenty five years, let us follow Him to grant us even greater blessings in the future.  Let us glorify Him with a greater dedication to the Eternal Word and to the teachings of the Written Word.

*   *   *

I wish to present clearly and simply the way of Salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ and with confidence in Him savior from sin.  For the unbeliever who desires to be saved, a simple exposition of the way of  salvation; and for the believer, an example of how to present the Gospel to the unconverted.  Also, I wish to help believers to appreciate their salvation through Jesus Christ; and to understand the work of the Holy Spirit in mind and heart.

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George Gilchrist’s Prayer of Thanksgiving to God Almighty for His mighty acts on May 18, 1944:


Father in heaven, omnipotent God, I thank You for the memory of the actions of that session of the Presbytery of Chile.

I thank You for the blessings that came to my life as a result of that bitter experience.  I thank You for the bitter tears caused by the companions of those days in the Presbytery.

I thank You for the brethren who joined me in the movement of the Grupo Accion Evangelica.

I thank You for my brother, Olivero Maufras, and pray your richest blessings on him.  Give him health and life to continue his ministry.

I thank You for the faithful brethren who cast their votes in our favor.  I ask Your blessings upon the following brothers:  Henderson, Villa, Rogelio Aracena; and the ruling elders Sanchez, Holmes, Atayat and Francisco Herrera (RIP), and on Bro. Lorenzo.

I thank You for those who voted against us:  commissioners Elmore, Juan Aracena, Florencio Herrera and Pedro Muñoz (RIP); for commissioners Martinez, Vergara, Hernandez and Brackenridge; for misters Silva, Muñoz, Contesse and Ramos; for ruling elders Castro, Almozan, Silva, Gonzales, Villaroel, Ulloa, Lippians, Guajardo, Richard an Rios.

God Omnipotent, I thank You for the congregations and groups which separated themselves from the old Presbytery:  Santisima Trinidad, Rancagua, San Javier, Talca, Constitucion, Curico, Linares, San Carlos, Chillan, Monte Aguila, Yungay, Trupan and Concepcion.

I thank You for the organization of the National Presbytery and for all that the Presbytery signifies for the dedication of the ministry, sacrifices, and the blessings which they have experienced during these first twenty five years of service.

I pray especially for the richest blessings be poured out over the future of the Presbytery; and upon other brothers in Christ who have been faithful in the preaching the glorious Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I pray all this in the name of our wonderful Lord.  Amen.

Both articles translated from GRMG’s Journal (Spanish), by Paul R. Gilchrist.  (April 11, 2020)