ANOTHER quarter is now in the past,—the third since the organization of the German Union Conference,—and it has proved the most prosperous quarter the field has ever had. In our last report, we mentioned the annual meetings of the various conferences and missions in this union, with the exception of the Austro-Hungarian and Balkan States Mission, whose annual meetings had not been held.
On the fifth of March the writer left Hamburg, to visit the Austro-Hungarian and Balkan States Mission, which has a population of sixty million; but as the territory of this field was so large, it has been thought best to take Austria (that part of the field in which I called first) under the immediate supervision of the German Union Conference, and set it apart as an unorganized mission field.
Austria
HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, BUDAPEST
Austria proper has twenty-six million inhabitants, and up to October last, when Elder Lorenz began laboring there, we did not have a single laborer in the whole country. The work was begun in the city of Prague, noted because of the part Huss and Jerome took in paving the way for the great Reformation. Brother Lorenz found here a company of four Sabbath keepers. As the most of his hearers were Bohemians, our Brother Simon has been acting as interpreter; and when I visited the city, I found a room filled with interested listeners. Elder Lorenz expected to have baptism during the month of May, if nothing prevented. The prospect for the future of the work here is bright. Brother Simon has been granted missionary license by the German Union Conference; but what are two laborers among twenty-six million? Surely much more ought to be done for this country. Over twenty thousand have recently left the Catholic Church in the “Separation from Rome” movement. We should by all means enter Vienna soon, which, including the suburbs, contains two million souls.
Three days by rail took me from Vienna to Constantza, Rumania, on the Black Sea, where the general meeting for the Balkan States (Rumania, Servia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro) had been appointed for March 13–17. These states contain twelve millions of people. At Constantza we have a German-Russian church, and there is another about thirty-five miles farther south, the membership of the two being about seventy. We secured a house in Constantza, and nearly all the brethren and sisters in the district were in attendance at the meetings. This is the first general meeting we ever held in this part of the field. Elder Huenergardt, who had been visiting several places in Bulgaria for three weeks, was with us. Our people were much strengthened by this gathering. They took a great interest in our Friedensau school, as well as in our publishing work. Several copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” were sold, and the brethren donated as liberally as they could toward the cost of the material used in the manufacture of the book. The Sabbath school was conducted in three different languages—German, Russian, and Turkish. Our brethren in Bulgaria could not be present with us, as the government would not issue them the necessary passports. We have one canvasser and Bible worker in Bulgaria, and a preacher in Rumania, and another German Bible worker has lately entered Bucharest, the capital of Rumania. This city contains four hundred thousand people. We have recently published “His Glorious Appearing,” in Rumanian, and a book containing about thirty Bible readings, in Bulgarian.
TURKISH MOSQUE IN THE RUMANIAN DOBRUDSHA
From Constantza, Elder Huenergardt and I went to Kolozsvár, Hungaria, where we had a general meeting for the Hungarian field, March 18–24. This city has forty thousand inhabitants, and contains a church of forty members. Our meetings here were very good. On Sunday, five persons were baptized. Among them was a man ninety years of age, who had been desiring baptism for ten years; but as he was engaged in the sale of liquor, we could not feel free to administer to him this sacred rite so long as he continued in that business. For a long time he had been praying that the Lord would free him, and when his business was so arranged that he could finally sell out, his joy knew no bounds, and with tears in his eyes, he gathered his relatives together, and told them what a happy day it was for him when he could take this step. He felt grateful that the Lord had spared his life to such an advanced age. From the first, he had been paying his tithe, and supporting the work, thus proving the genuineness of his interest.
We rented a hall here in Kolozsvár, and secured an attendance of one hundred and fifty—the largest ever obtained in Hungaria. The Sabbath school was conducted in German, Hungarian, and Rumanian, and there was also a Slavonian brother present. He, with twelve others, accepted the Sabbath several years ago, but could not fully unite with us. Before this meeting closed, he gave several excellent testimonies, in which he stated that it was his inten17tion not only fully to identify himself with us, but also to encourage the others to do likewise.
Brother Huenergardt was again chosen director of the field. Here we have, for the thirty millions of people, only one ordained minister, one licentiate, and a few Bible workers and canvassers. There are now two hundred and three Sabbath keepers in the Hungarian and Balkan States Mission. The tithe for the last nine months has been $510; their other offerings, $95; and they have sold about $500 worth of books. We ought surely to have another strong man to take charge of the Balkan States portion of this mission, as Brother Huenergardt’s hands are more than full with the twenty million Hungarians. “His Glorious Appearing” is now being translated into the Hungarian language. We have thus far been able to secure but three government permits to carry forward the canvassing work, and one of these has been canceled because somebody complained that our literature is sectarian.
East German Conference
On my return I stopped in Dresden, the beautiful capital of Saxony, to baptize five souls (at night). Saxony is almost wholly Protestant, but the court and one hundred thousand inhabitants are Romanists. Centuries ago the ruling house became Catholic, that the kingdom of Poland might be theirs. Saxony is one of the most difficult fields with which we have to deal, as far as liberty to carry on our labors is concerned. Every meeting we hold is attended by detectives, who take notes of what is said. Several times Elder Perk has been called before the justices, and taken to task for things he has preached; and as he is a Russian citizen, they have threatened to send him out of the country. We are not permitted to take up collections or Sabbath-school donations, even in our own meetings. No one is allowed to unite with us, except he be of age, and has, by a long course of legal proceedings, left the state church; and yet the work is growing, and we already have three churches in the three largest cities of the country. Men may hinder, but God prospers. Elder Pieper, the conference president, also had quite an experience while attempting to baptize several sisters. The husband of one, being opposed to the celebration of the ordinance, complained to the mayor of the town, and a mob gathered, bursting open the doors where our brethren were assembled, beating our people, and knocking the minister on the head, so that the blood streamed down his face. The matter is now up for trial. Thus we see that the dragon’s wrath is being stirred up against those who are accepting the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. The East German Conference had sixty-seven accessions during the past three months, making its present membership nine hundred and thirty-two.
Western Germany
This section of the German Union has also had quite a growth. Elder H. F. Schuberth has been working in Schleswig-Holstein, raising up a company there. Some were baptized at Hamburg. Brother G. Schubert has labored with some success at Hildesheim, and Brother Wolfgarten, at Kassel. On my return, we had a good general meeting at Elberfeld, Rhenish Prussia, March 27–30. About one hundred and fifty of our people were in attendance, and there was also some outside interest. Elder Stuckrath baptized four during the meeting. The collection for the mission field amounted to thirteen dollars, and the brethren also bought several copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and contributed toward the fund for the payment of the material and manufacture of the book. During the last quarter, the West German Conference shows an increase of fifty-one members, the present membership being nine hundred and ninety-nine. Their canvassers are also on the increase, and two general agents are in the field.
Holland Conference
The last quarter was the best the Holland Conference has ever had, no less than forty-seven being received into church membership. The churches at Amsterdam and Rotterdam were strengthened, and a new company was raised up at Gröningen, in the eastern part of the country, where Elder Rijsdam is laboring. They have eleven canvassers in the field, and Brother Klingbeil reports that the outlook is favorable for the work there. They have recently sent a sister to Hamburg to be educated, that she may become the treasurer and secretary of Holland. As a denomination our people have received government recognition, so our children will not need to attend the schools on Sabbath, and this recognition will also help us in securing favors while in military service. The Dutch paper has a circulation of four thousand monthly, and many of these papers are now going to the Boer camps in various parts of the world.
German-Swiss Conference
This conference also has an encouraging report to offer. A number have been baptized at Basel. Brother Voth has been laboring at St. Gallen, in the eastern part of the country, where we once had a church. Brother Erzenberger has moved to Berne, the capital. The membership of this conference is two hundred and forty-five.
Northern Russia
Here the work is making steady progress. Brethren Gaede and Voss, who had their passports taken from them while laboring in Western Russia, have again received these documents, so indispensable in that empire, and the work is going forward. Sixteen united with this part of the field last quarter, and since then they have had a number of baptisms. The chief centers of growth are in the west, and our numbers are also increasing in St. Petersburg and among the Esthonians. One of our brethren was in jail several days because he sold publications without the permission which he had vainly tried to obtain.
South Russian Conference
This field suffers because of the illness of its president, Brother H. J. Loebsack, who has been unable to visit the churches; and we have no one to take his place. Elder H. K. Loebsack has moved to the Volga district, and is having success there. The work is also going well in Bessarabia and in the Crimea. Forty-nine were baptized during the quarter, bringing their membership up to seven hundred and seventy-eight. Russia suffers greatly from poor harvests, and in some sections of the country there seems to be serious disaffection, bordering almost on revolution. In consequence, many of the Germans are leaving the country.
Middle Russia
We are also glad to state that among the one hundred millions of Russians the truth is onward, far more than we can tell at present. The work has to be done in a careful manner, mostly in night meetings, and very often members have to suffer imprisonment for months, yet the Lord is adding to our membership. The report for the last quarter has not yet reached us.
The total summary for the whole German Union Conference shows two hundred and twelve baptized, and sixty-one received by vote, making two hundred and seventy-three accessions to our numbers during the last three months, thus bringing our membership up to 4,913, while our book sales were nearly $10,000; tithe, $6,630; and other gifts, $900.
The Publishing House
The standing of this branch of the work is the best it has ever been. Our German missionary paper, the Harold, has a semimonthly circulation of twenty-five thousand copies, and the list on our other papers is increasing. As many of my readers may have heard, an apostate Sabbath keeper reported us to the police, for Sunday labor. In consequence, the manager and the writer were each fined $2.50, and the trial dragged along for six months, during which we gladly worked on. We appealed the case. Our lawyer, after carefully looking into the present factory law, told us that neither the judges nor the Hamburg Senate could in any way give us liberty to do full Sunday work. And on the 20th of April, the time set for the trial, the judges called us aside, and told us that they would counsel us before we entered the trial, to withdraw our appeal, as our case was absolutely hopeless. They had imposed the lowest fine they could, and had granted us the privilege of working five hours on Sunday, in the future. The only way open to us would be to ask the German Parliament to make a special exception to the law in our case; but of this there would be little use as long as we are an unrecognized denomination. We have now so arranged it that, during the five working days, our employees spend eleven hours a day in the office, and work five hours on Sunday. We have a special missionary meeting for the office employees on that day, and from half-past one their time is free to spend in missionary work in the city.
Mission Boat
Our mission boat is doing a good work in the Hamburg harbor. Our pilot sold about thirty copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” while the boat was in winter quarters. We are selling a good many other books, especially to the Dutch ships. We are sure that much more might be done among the emigrants who are leaving for America, if we only had the means and more help.
The Friedensau Institutions
Our nut-food factory in Friedensau is gaining in its sales, averaging about one thousand dollars a month. The sanitarium has ten or twelve patients. Two of our nurses have received state diplomas, having passed the state examinations, and several who have been in Berlin and Hamburg, have secured good places, giving treatments in the best families, even being received into two physicians’ homes. Our school buildings18are full, with forty students in attendance. We have several students from Russia, and the Russian language has now been adopted in the school curriculum. When I was in Friedensau a few days ago, I found our new school building in course of erection, the basement and first story nearing completion. Our new dwelling house is already fully occupied. We are pleased to learn that our German brethren in America have nearly sold their first edition of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and we expect soon to receive help from that source. This will come in very good, as we have had to make the first payment on the new school building, which is to be under roof in July. The strict license laws governing canvassers and those who would sell even a few copies of the book very seriously hinder our German brethren in Europe when they attempt to circulate any number of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and yet we have already sold our first thousand, and are now disposing of the second.
Throughout our field in general, there is a great financial stringency, and this is especially true in Germany; but we are thankful to God that thus far the work has not felt this very keenly. He has indeed granted us his rich blessing. What we long and pray for in this field is a greater force of workers, thoroughly tried and consecrated, to press the battle to the front, and to gain the victory, that the number of God’s people may be made up, and that glad day hastened when he shall appear.
L. R. CONRADI.
The Whitened Fields
By Meta E. B. Thorne
So many idle, folded hands,
And the harvest fields are white;
Low droop the heavy heads of wheat
That wait the reaper’s weary feet,
The sickle in his willing hands,
For the “harvest fields are white.”
So many here that sit at ease,
While ’neath yon darker skies
The wretchedness and misery
Even angels well might weep to see.
How can we dare to sit at ease
Beneath these golden skies?
So fleet, so few, the moments be
For binding up the sheaves!
The Master calls; do not delay,
But haste some fruit to win to-day,
For soon our only joy shall be
In bringing home the sheaves.
—Meta E. B. Thorne, in Heathen
Woman’s Friend.
School and Dispensary Work at Karmatar
By J. L. Shaw
CALCUTTA.—We have started a small school at Karmatar for our own children. Twelve are now enrolled, and others will probably enter soon. Sister Black has charge, and Sister Orr is assisting her. They are getting along nicely. Dispensary work is also being carried on. Patients and their friends come from miles around to secure help, and see what is being done. I hope that the workers will soon have the language, so that they can talk to the people.19
The last time I was there, I went to one of the villages; and as I was telling the people that the Lord that made everything made them and loved them, to which one man said with astonishment, that “I did not know that the Lord loved him.” What a pity it is that we are not able to speak the language, and tell these people of the love of God that casteth out fear.
J. L. SHAW.
India
By Theckla Black
As a medical worker in a native town I have been kept busy receiving patients daily at our dispensary. Some days, with the help of one young assistant, I have given from fourteen to eighteen treatments. As I am still unable to speak the language of the people, I have to work with an interpreter.
Since coming here, I have had a great burden to learn how to teach the gospel to people who feel no need of it, and do not care for it. I asked a native man a few days ago why he thought we left friends, home, and country to come over here, and care for their sick. He was thoughtful for a while, and then answered that we came over to make a great name, and that if his child got well, he would tell everybody what a great doctor lived here. Another to whom I put the same question thought we came over because we had nothing else to do. Again another said we came to teach them our religion. This, he felt, was an imposition on them, since they are as well satisfied with their religion as we are with ours.
We treated about two hundred poor native people the last month, and have enjoyed the work; they seem so pleased with what we do for them. We have been too busy at home to answer many calls from outside. When, however, a native prince, or rajah, called, and asked us through an interpreter to go to see his daughter-in-law, who was very ill, we accepted it as an opportunity to enter a high-caste zenana, and perhaps bring some ray of light to the class of women who are of all beings the most unhappy.
A GROUP OF HINDUS
At the appointed time a number of servants arrived with a native carriage, the palkee, which is only a long box with doors, carried on the shoulders of four men. There was also a maid along, and a servant of higher grade on horseback to escort us. Taking along a supply of articles necessary for treatment, and asking the Lord to give me wisdom to meet these sick sisters of the East, whom I was to see for the first and perhaps the last time, I entered the palkee, and lay down, for the six-mile ride. As but one palkee was sent, the young woman who went with me as interpreter had to go on horseback.
As we passed through the villages, people came running after us to see us, and even to ask advice. At one place a man came with a large boy in his arms, asking me to please do something for his child, who had been deaf and dumb for three years.
On arriving at the court of the rajah, we were seated on the only two chairs in sight, and a servant sat down in front of us, fanning us as gracefully as though this was the only work she ever did. Men were seated on the floor on carpets, smoking, and children were playing about.
After a while we were taken into the women's court, where I made a careful examination of my patient, and found that she needed a surgical operation and other treatment. I could do very little for her there, but gave her some counsel as to diet, and then spent some time visiting with the women. They told me that I was the first foreign woman they had ever seen, and they studied me from head to foot. My interpreter, a bright young Eurasian girl, asked them if they would like to have us sing to them. They were delighted when we sang two hymns. There were about twenty women present, eagerly watching every movement. Their faces lighted up with interest as I told them of the great, beautiful ocean, and of the country far in the West, and of the sisters over there who had sent us to tell them of a God who loves even women. My heart was sad as I looked about on this group of women who could neither read nor write, who have no object whatever in life but to pass their time smoking and gossiping. They wanted me to promise to come again, and I wish I could, but there is so much work to be done, and O, so few workers!
They had asked us in the morning to bring with us a servant to prepare us food, as this is the native custom, but we did not do it. They thought we must be hungry, so they sent a servant with a tray on which were two glasses of milk and some sweets, and a basin of water to dip our hands in. As we did not eat the sweets, it gave us opportunity for a long conversation on diet while waiting for our bearers. The prince himself, a very large man with heavy eyebrows, seemed much interested. He said that other Europeans did not eat like that. The nearest white neighbor, eight miles away, used tobacco, liquor, etc. I told him that that did not make it any better, and that we could not expect to cure any unless they were willing to give up smoking and to discard the hot spices, which are so commonly used here. Several of the men present spoke of their different ailments, and one very intelligent-looking man whom I had noticed smoking intensely, came forward, asking advice for his headache. Thus the way opened for us to preach the gospel of health where it had never been taught before. We had also an opportunity to talk with them about the worship of idols. They claimed that it was necessary to have an intercessor, just as it was needful for me to have an interpreter, and that the object was worshiped with this intent. The people have some truths, but superstition and tradition have perverted what they have. Pray that the Lord may use us as light-bearers in the dark places of the earth.
THECKLA BLACK.
The Story of Two Prophetic Charts
By Z. G. Baharian
SATAN tries to hinder, but God takes it into his hands to proclaim the message. I recently ordered two prophetic charts from the Review and Herald to be sent to Adana, Cilicia. They were sent registered, and when they arrived at the postoffice of Adana, the director opened them to be investigated. What then followed will be seen from the following letter, sent me from Adana, dated March 26:—
“MY DEAR BROTHER: Two charts of the beasts have been sent here from America. They were sent registered. The director of the post office called your father on Sunday, and opened them to show him. Then he asked about these beasts—what they are, and what do they signify, and who sent these to him. Your father told him that he did not know who sent them, but our church has these charts, and they belong to us, but who sent them, and from where they have been sent, he does not know. He was then told to call again to give their significance. It was thought proper that I go with him, so the next day—Monday—in the afternoon we went to the post office. The director had some business on hand. He finished it, and then invited us to sit down. After formal salutation we began to talk. He asked your father whether he had brought the Bible. Then he opened one of the charts, but at this time he sent for the interpreter of the government also. When we were asked who are these beasts, my dear Companion, Christ, strengthened me, and I began to describe first the ram and the he goat, because the single horn, and the little horn which became exceedingly great, had called his attention.
“While I was reading and describing from the Bible, the interpreter came in, and would have me describe the chart from the beginning. This was what I was desiring, because it was an opening to preach the everlasting gospel. I began by reading Daniel 2, and before I read two verses, the interpreter (a Catholic) took the Bible himself, and read the whole chapter. I was also describing while he read. Then he read the seventh chapter, and gave me the Bible. I also described it fully. There were about ten souls, all noted officers of the post office. I described the ram and the he goat, its four horns, and the little horn, the red dragon, the beast with seven heads and ten horns, and the two-horned beast. Then the director asked about the woman clothed with the sun, etc. I told him she was the church. At last I described the ark, the high priest, the table, the three angels, and the coming of Christ with a sickle in his hand. These I read from the Bible, so that about two hours I preached them the everlasting gospel. The director said, ‘What is the end of all these?’ I answered, ‘The coming of Christ to reap the earth. This is our message to the world. The end is coming, and we are giving this last message to the people in this way.’”
“I forgot to tell you that I described the twenty-three hundred days also, because the director asked about it too. I told them that these days ended at 1844, and that now we are in the judgment time. Then the director turned to the interpreter, saying, ‘Sir, these seem to be harmless. Let us give them to these men, because they are religious things.’ The interpreter said that he knew that they were not harmful, but he could not give them without first asking his ruler—Vali. Then the director asked about them of Mearif, the committee of the public instruction, and got the answer that they could be given us, as they were not harmful, or they might be sent back to America. Then the postman took the charts, and with the interpreter we went to Vali, the chief governor of the province. After formal salutation, Vali commanded us to describe the charts. I described the great image. Then he asked about the beasts. I also described the woman and the United States of America, etc., reading from the Bible as I did so. Then Vali asked the interpreter why he had made us read these things to him. He was afraid that some danger might happen to him because our denomination was forbidden by the government. He said the Christians do not acknowledge us, and commanded that such things that are forwarded to us must not be given us, and these charts must be sent back to America. So we came out of his presence. This is the case. About three hours we talked more at the post office about our truths.”
“I am much rejoiced. The Lord opened a large door that I might be able to tell in length. Glory to God.
“Your brother in Christ,
“ S. K.”
It so happened that I forgot to write to Adana about these charts, that I was sending them. So they were not expected. This was providential, because their attention was turned to the charts rather than to him who sent them. I am thankful that through these charts the gospel was preached to the highest man in the province, and to others. God is indeed in this message, and using every possible means to proclaim it.
I have other interesting items for the REVIEW, to show how the Lord is moving on the work. Z. G. BAHARIAN.Constantinople.
“In Prison, and Ye Came unto Me”
By Hattie L. Johnson
Having received a generous supply of literature in response to my appeal in the REVIEW and the Southern Watchman, I feel that it is but justice to let those sending the same know something of what I am doing with it. Last March, I and Sister M. C. Sturdevant, who is now in Africa, began to take young people's papers to the stockade. Since that first Sunday, I have missed but one, taking from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty papers. Sometimes my supply has been insufficient to meet the demand. It is a source of great joy to know that there are many eagerly waiting for their papers. What a blessed privilege to tell them of our dear Saviour and his love for them! I have been told that they are more orderly and quiet than they used to be. The keepers always ask me to leave them some of my papers to read, as they think them “fine.”
To that place alone I have taken over one thousand of our periodicals. Truly our God is good. Then during the week Sister Willeford and I visit hospitals, the Home for Incurables, the Soldiers’ Home, and the jail. I assure you that our own souls are watered while we tell of Jesus and his love. We are told that card playing has been abandoned in the jail.
The Soldiers’ Home was burned down last year, with all its contents. The soldiers are anxious to obtain Bibles, as theirs were burned. Through Sister Allee’s influence I received a large box of periodicals and Bibles from Battle Creek. Perhaps some dear souls have made a sacrifice in sending these Bibles, but in eternity it may be revealed that some who have read the marked places, have made the many precious promises their own.
May the dear Lord bless every soul that has helped me in this work. Pray for us that our work may be done in the fear of the Lord, and that he may receive all the praise.
I shall be very thankful still to receive copies of any of our periodicals. Please address me at 18 Broyles St., Atlanta, Ga.
HATTIE L. JOHNSON.
Cape Town, South Africa
By Ellen Burrill
CLAREMONT UNION COLLEGE.—Our school is composed largely of children from the outside. Our oldest student is twenty years of age, and our youngest boarder is six. At first I did not like the idea of taking in the small children, but now we would sadly miss our bright little ones, should they leave us. Mrs. Ruble is matron and preceptress. Mr. Hayton has charge of the older boys, and I have the little ones. We have them all in one large dormitory room on the third floor. In summer they are easily cared for, because they play on the grounds; but when the rainy season comes, they have nowhere to play, and so the days pass wearily.
Last year three of our pupils finished the course of this school. One is now teaching in the college, one in our church school in Cape Town, and one is attending the conference school, preparatory to ministerial labor. I have sometimes thought that in these three young people the Lord is beginning to roll away the reproach which has so long rested upon us as a school,—that we train no workers. True, we have tried; but so few will remain until they are old enough to work.
There is much to be done in this dark continent, and I am glad I came here. I believe that the Lord sent me, and my desire is to remain until he calls me elsewhere. There are obstacles and difficulties,20but these strengthen my determination to be an overcomer.
My room on the third floor faces Table Mountain. I have never seen a more heavenly view than we have at every sunset. The sun sinks behind the mountain, and the whole sky far above it seems golden and crimson. It reminds me of that prophet of old, who, on lonely Patmos, saw the scenes described in the Revelation.
At present we have two mission bands here in the college. On account of the youth of our students, and the fact that most of them are not Adventists, we cannot do the missionary work we desire to do. We are now doing all we can, collecting papers and distributing them in the concentration camps and among the soldiers. War is a dreadful thing. The suffering caused by one war can never be known or realized.
ELLEN BURRILL.
Bay Islands, Central America
By H. C. GOODRICH
RUATAN.— I have been holding meetings here two weeks, with good success. Three persons were baptized, and two others were prevented on account of sickness. Four have not yet put away tobacco, and there are still others who have accepted only part of the message. I do not preach doctrinal sermons here, but when I visit the people at their homes, I talk to them of the truth for this time. H. C. GOODRICH.
