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An Eastern Tour

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 15, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 20.

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An Eastern Tour

By Ole Andres Olsen

RECENTLY I had the privilege of attending the Greater New York conference and at the same time of visiting other places. I found that the work among the foreigners is making progress in New York and Brooklyn. The Lord has greatly blessed the efforts among the Germans.
Thursday evening, April 3, I spoke in the new mission house in Brooklyn, which the Scandinavians have just finished. It is a very neat and commodious building, and will greatly facilitate the work and be an honor to the cause. This is a very important forward move in the work among the Scandinavians in that great city.
The following evening I met with the Hungarians in their little chapel in New York. The meeting-place was crowded and the congregation most enthusiastic. God has greatly blessed Brother John Sivak in his work. During the year 1912 twenty-one members were added by baptism, and this year eight more have been baptized and united with the church, which now numbers forty-one. There is an excellent interest among the Hungarians in New York. Seven of the young men are doing colporteur work with good success. We hope that some of these may develop into laborers who can open work among Hungarians in other places. The interest is also spreading to Bridgeport, Conn., and Passaic, N. J.
On the last day of the conference I had the pleasure of participating in the ordination of Brother John Sivak to the gospel ministry. This marks another little mile-post in the advancement of the message, as Brother Sivak is the first one of the Hungarian nationality to be ordained to the gospel ministry in this country. May the Lord continue to bless Brother Sivak and the work among the Hungarians to the salvation of many souls.
On Sabbath, April 5, I met with our Slavik-Bohemian-Polish church at Newark, N. J. Since my last visit there they have erected and completed a fine mission chapel at the cost of five thousand dollars. This was a large undertaking for this church, but by perseverance and sacrifice they have accomplished it. The members have done all the work themselves, with the exception of the plumbing, by working after hours during the week till dark, and on Sundays. They are all of excellent courage. We had meetings in the forenoon and afternoon, and celebrated the ordinances with much joy.
In company with Elder W. B. White, I left New York on Sunday afternoon for South Lancaster, Mass., to meet and counsel with our French brethren concerning plans for work during the coming season,—one at Manchester, N. H., headed by Elder Passebois, the other near Worcester, Mass., headed by Elder Roth. Brother Hannon will soon return to Wisconsin to begin work among the French as the way may open. Brethren Lanaville and Jean will canvass during vacation.
It was a matter of much interest to me that we could have a counsel over the French work with such a number present. The brethren are of good courage. The work is beset with many difficulties, but with God's blessing and persevering efforts success will follow. The outlook is encouraging.
O. A. OLSEN.