Brother Ott recalls how he and Brother Schwalm often commented while they worked together in the branch: “Brother Knorr travels everywhere​—why don’t they send him to Argentina once?”

The long-desired visit came in 1945, and along with it changes that laid the basis for real theocratic organization and expansion. Brothers Knorr and Franz landed in Buenos Aires on February 28, 1945, en route from Chile on their first South American tour. At that time there were 19 companies or congregations in the country and 320 publishers. The April 15, 1945, Watchtower gives some account of the occasion:

“Saturday, March 3, marked the opening of the first general assembly of Jehovah’s witnesses in Argentina. About 395 were present at the time of the address of welcome by the branch servant. Then the American brothers were introduced, and Brother Knorr stepped to the platform amid applause. The audience represented the fruitage of about twenty years of activity here of Jehovah’s witnesses, starting from a very small beginning indeed. It seemed most fitting to deliver to the assembly a straight service and organization talk, and this Brother Knorr did, through his companion interpreter Brother Franz. Toward the beginning, when he called for a show of hands as to how many present had been Roman Catholics before devoting themselves to Jehovah God, the hands of practically all present went up.

“Brother Knorr then stressed the importance of the weekly Watchtower study in the congregations, and then of the weekly service meeting of at least an hour’s length, at a time convenient for the majority of the brothers. When requested, all the conventioners stretched forth their hands as desiring that such a service meeting, properly arranged and making use of a monthly service chart and of demonstrations by capable publishers and of other service discussions, be established in their respective congregations. They received in an appreciative spirit Brother Knorr’s admonition, repeatedly made, that the key position in the congregation is that of being a publisher in the field, and that each and all of them have the responsibility of serving as such. They were deeply stirred by the exhortation to make back-calls and to start book studies. They greeted the announcement of the Society’s publication of a new book in Spanish, ‘The Truth Shall Make You Free,’ with hearty applause.

“The evening sessions were opened with the presentation of the subject ‘Seek Ye First the Kingdom,’ in Spanish, by two Argentine brothers. After this Brother Knorr and his interpreter took the floor, this time to speak particularly in behalf of the pioneer service in this part of South America. The requirements of the regular pioneers and of the special publishers were plainly set forth, and the invitation was extended for all those interested in entering these branches of the service to meet him after the dismissal.

“Sunday, March 4, at 8 a.m. a baptismal address was given, and thereafter eight candidates were immersed in water. Events then moved in steady succession. At 9 a.m. all the servants in attendance, namely, fifty-five, met in special session with Brother Knorr, and he consumed more than two hours in answering their questions as respects field service and Watchtower and book studies. Immediately thereafter the German-speaking brothers assembled, and the new ‘servant to the brethren’ (now ‘circuit servant’) addressed them, particularly for the sake of some few conventioners who understood only German and who were therefore not getting direct benefit from the sessions in Spanish. These dear ones rejoiced to learn, in their own tongue, something of what had been said thus far at the assembly.

“No public meeting had been advertised for Sunday afternoon. Argentina is declared under a state of siege, and hence such a meeting is not permitted. Nevertheless, many interested persons showed up for the afternoon meeting, and the attendance rose to 476. For two hours they sat and listened intently as Brother Knorr, interpreted by Brother Franz, delivered the message on ‘Jehovah’s Universal Sovereignty Vindicated.’ A wall map, specially drawn, helped them to visualize more fully the speech. . . . The speech led up dramatically to the announcement of the new Spanish booklet Religion Reaps the Whirlwind and at this the brothers greatly rejoiced.

“Most of the brothers were privileged to remain for the assembly’s closing sessions, beginning at 7 p.m. First there was a presentation, in Spanish, on the subject ‘The King’s Marriage Feast.’ . . . Then Brother Knorr again took the floor, with one of the young local brothers as his interpreter. He related to the assembly about the conventions and his privileges of ministry on his trip thus far. . . . It made the hearts of the brothers overflow with joy when he made known that a special Argentine Informant would begin to be published monthly and the newly appointed ‘servant to the brethren’ would start serving all congregations; and also that shortly the Course in Theocratic Ministry, in Spanish, would be introduced in all congregations.

“A fervent song of thanksgiving to Jehovah through Christ Jesus, and then a prayer, closed the assembly, well on toward 10 p.m. Truly the brothers felt it had been good for them to attend this general assembly.”

Just how much the Argentine brothers had “rejoiced at the spiritual provision, especially in the way of practical service instructions,” we can appreciate by their own expressions:

“Curiosity gripped me,” recalls Francisco Alvarez. “What was an assembly? What would be said? Of course, I had some idea, having seen the photograph that hung on the wall of the Kingdom Hall of an assembly that was held in the year 1928 in the United States, and one could see Brother Rutherford and also the then young Brother Knorr who would soon be visiting us. This first assembly is something that even now I cannot forget even though I was just sixteen years old at the time. The assembly reaffirmed my faith and zeal toward the worship of Jehovah, and my absolute certainty that He is using this people, his witnesses.”

“On this occasion I got acquainted with the organization and met brothers from many parts of the country,” writes Francisco Callejo. “I couldn’t obtain permission from work, but I left anyway. Up until now I had only read about assemblies; now that I had the opportunity to attend one it was unthinkable that I should not go! So after nine years of witnessing as an isolated publisher, I was able to learn firsthand how the organization functions, and while at this assembly I was baptized.”

Irma Albricot can’t forget Brother Knorr’s talk on pioneer service: “Up until this time, when pioneering was talked about we only envisioned mature male brothers with their suitcases going out into inhospitable zones. Brother Knorr helped us to see why more younger brothers and sisters should respond to the call and set their sights on greater training at Gilead School. His talk moved to action several of us, and the 1st of April we began our new work.” It might be added that Irma Albricot later attended Gilead, and to this day continues in full-time service with her husband, Mario Segal, a circuit servant.

Another happy outgrowth of that 1945 visit by Brother Knorr is described by the one who lived it, Gwaenydd Hughes: “I came back to Argentina from Paraguay for the visit of Brother Knorr, and since I thought it would be a short visit, I left all my belongings in Asunción. Little did I dream of what was ahead of me and the great blessings I was to receive! One day Brother Knorr called me aside privately and asked me if I would like to go to Gilead and for me to think it over. What was I to say? The language would be no problem, for I knew English well; but the Gilead course​—I knew nothing about that. When pressed for an answer, I said that I didn’t know what to say, as I knew nothing about what was involved in the Gilead course, but that I was willing to go if he thought I could qualify. I remember Brother Knorr’s expression: ‘Come, then.’ Later he added: ‘If you go to Gilead, they need you here in Argentina.’ ‘But, what about the work in Paraguay?’ I asked. Brother Knorr’s answer was, ‘The Lord will take care of that!’

“The very next month after Brother Knorr’s visit, on April 12, Sister Ofelia Estrada and I were bound for the United States​—the first Argentines to attend Gilead School, and among the first foreign students to attend.”