Word From Elder Conradi by Louis Richard Conradi

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 14, 1915

Word From Elder Conradi

By Louis Richard Conradi

Although traveling is rather difficult, yet we managed to have our general meeting for the Dutch field, in Amsterdam, August 12-15. We were happily surprised to find our churches so well represented. On the Sabbath there were about one hundred and seventy members present. We were also pleased that such a good spirit prevailed during the meeting.

The annual report was rather encouraging. Sixty-seven persons had been received during the year; the net gain was forty-one, the membership at the close of the year, June, 1915, being 354. The tithe rose from 6,876 florins to 9,581 florins, or about $1,000 increase. The average tithe rose nearly two dollars a member. The Sabbath school gifts increased about $20, while the general gifts to missions decreased about $500. Brethren Forthuis and Meyer were ordained at this meeting.

With Brother Wibbens in charge of the field, we have now four ordained ministers in Holland, and also a good staff of other gospel workers and canvassers. There is no reason why the membership should not quickly increase, and a good self-supporting conference be developed here ere long. As Brother Klingbeil was not able to meet with us, the only visiting brethren were Elder Oblaender and I.

On our way there we visited the Peace Palace at The Hague, as I had never been there before. All the world contributed to this magnificent building. High hopes were entertained when it was erected, but how little has thus far been accomplished by it! In one large hall the walls were decorated with the photographs of all the rulers of the world, and the chairs beneath bore the coat of arms of the respective countries. But the chairs were empty, and the rulers are, to a great part, engaged in deadly strife. In the whole building not a clerk was busy fostering peace. Only a few guards were in attendance to show strangers the sights. We saw the artistic representations of human ideals that will never be realized in this world under human rule, but which will surely come to realization when the King of kings establishes his everlasting empire on the new earth. May his reign quickly come.

L. R. CONRADI.