The Friedensau meeting was the largest of any held in Europe during this season. About six hundred were present, representing twenty-two nationalities. The meeting convened July 18–28. The second Sabbath was a day that will long be remembered by those who were present from abroad. A social meeting was held, during which the brethren and sisters from the different countries were given an opportunity to express themselves either in sacred song or by bearing testimony. The effect was truly encouraging and inspiring.
ENTRANCE TO TUNNEL, ST. GOTTHARD PASS
It was recommended that the union conference collect the necessary means to assist in publishing a new edition of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and that all in the field be encouraged to sell at least five copies of this book per capita, for the support of the school. Arrangements were made to employ teachers in the different languages, in order to help the foreign brethren in their school work. It was voted to establish a small bath room in the city of Cassel, and headquarters for nurses in Berlin, as soon as the means and laborers can be secured.
For the further development of the work in the Austro-Hungarian and Balkan States mission, it was recommended that the territory be divided into the Balkan mission, the Hungarian mission, and the Austrian mission. For this same reason, it was recommended that the Rhenish-Prussian field be separated from the West German Conference.
Besides encouraging the development of different phases of the work in their own field, plans were laid at the German Union Conference to reach outside of the German empire into some of its colonies, which are practically mission fields; and it was recommended that steps be taken to secure permission from the German government to begin work in German East Africa as soon as the proper men and means can be secured.
In connection with the Friedensau meeting, a number of sessions of the European General Conference Committee were held. The visiting brethren from America were present, in these councils, and took an active part. As they had just been visiting different parts of the field and studying the situation and the needs and openings, their counsel was valuable.
The financial problems confronting the European field were thoroughly canvassed, and the committee representing the respective local union fields made a careful estimate of the probable income and expenses of each conference or mission for the coming year, and requests were forwarded to the Mission Board for appropriations to cover these amounts.
The enterprises to be thus aided are the Scandinavian Union Conference, Oriental mission, German Union Conference, British Union Conference, the mission building in Copenhagen, International Tract Society in Helsingfors, Finland; the Finnish paper, a health food factory in Skodsborg, a sanitarium in the British field, the training school in London for Christian workers, and the mission to be opened in German East Africa.
The treasurer’s report submitted at this meeting showed the total receipts of the General Conference during the nine months ending June 30, 1902, to be $1,561.36; paid out for general expenses, $1,237.20; with a net gain of $324.16.
Several actions were taken recommending the importation of additional laborers in the near future. Among these were an experienced laborer for the Italian mission field, a suitable man for Spain at once, a man and his wife for Portugal, a man to develop the publishing work in the French-Latin field, a superintendent for the Turkish mission field, and suitable medical help for Egypt. Help was also requested for Denmark, the German Union Conference, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and England. Request was also made for a missionary physician in the French field.
Several recommendations were passed tending to strengthen the publishing interests. The medical work received consideration, and it was recommended that a small health paper and some tracts be published in the Arabic language, and that the French medical work be transferred from Basel to some proper place16in the French field, and that treatment rooms be established as the way opens in several of the large cities of Germany.
In view of the vast population of the British field, its importance as a missionary center, and the rapid development of the work, it was recommended that the British Conference be reorganized as follows: That Ireland, Scotland, and Wales constitute separate mission fields; that England be divided into two conferences, known as the North England and the South England Conference, and that a British Union Conference be organized to take the general oversight of the entire field.
The British Conference
AN ENGLISH VILLAGE STREET
Following the Friedensau gathering and the good experience of our people there, came the annual meeting of the British Conference, which was held in Leeds, Aug. 1–8, 1902. A good spirit prevailed, and the business passed off harmoniously.
Among the different subjects considered was the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” which is to be vigorously pushed, to assist in establishing the school in London. Steps were taken to unify and strengthen the canvassing work in this field. The Sabbath schools were also encouraged to liberality in giving for the new mission fields, the Sabbath-school donations being recognized as mission funds.
A recommendation was passed expressing appreciation for the generosity of the conferences in the States that had so kindly supplied canvassers and paid their transportation to the British field, and asking that at least ten more canvassers as good as those who had already been sent to the field be selected and sent over on the same generous terms as the first party.
The treasurer’s report for the year showed that the total receipts of the conference were £3,000, while the expenditures amounted to £455 in excess of this, the deficit being met by appropriations from the Mission Board through the European General Conference. The book sales for the same time amounted to £1,486.
The work in Europe has certainly advanced rapidly, and the Lord is going out before his people. While the future is to us unknown, yet we go forward with a firm trust in the overruling power of God, and a belief in the conquering might of truth, which is bound to triumph in the end. There is reason for nothing but the best of courage concerning the cause in this field.
