p. 17 | A Forward Move in the East by Ole Andres Olsen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 25, 1910

A Forward Move in the East

By Ole Andres Olsen

JULY 7 I left Chicago to attend the council called at Greater New York to consider plans and arrangements for city work, especially in the great cities of the East.

Our attention has for some time been called to the work that should be done in our cities, and of late the spirit of prophecy has appealed to us most urgently to take up this work with more energy and with larger plans than ever in the past. We spent a number of days together studying the situation, and laying plans for a decided, aggressive campaign; and we have reason to believe that this meeting will mark the beginning of an advance move in the great cities of this country. One of the greatest difficulties that we meet in planning for this campaign is the lack of workers of efficiency and experience.

It was decided to carry on a strong Bible training-school in Greater New York in the English, to assist in developing workers to meet the calls both near and afar at the present time. Similar training-schools will also be established in other cities as rapidly as possible.

At the present time there are eight tent-meetings in progress in Greater New York. Five of these are conducted in the English language (one of these is for the colored people), and one each in the German, the Swedish, and the Danish-Norwegian. All these tent efforts report a good attendance, also a marked interest. May they result in the ingathering of many souls for the kingdom of God.

Work Among the Foreign Nationalities

When we begin to consider the work to be done for the great cities of our country, we are at once confronted with the tremendous foreign population that we find in these great centers. For instance, in Greater New York fully two thirds of the entire population are treated by the government as foreigners. Forty-four different nationalities are represented in larger or lesser numbers. This condition presents a formidable problem indeed.

While planning for a training-school for English workers, I am glad to say that at the same time plans were also laid for a training-school for workers in the foreign tongues in the Greater New York Conference. This is an important

move, and will mean much to the development of the work among the foreign nationalities.

Besides this, another important step was taken,—the appointment of Brother A. Boettcher to take supervision of the work among the foreigners, under the general direction of the General Conference Foreign Department, in the Atlantic and Columbia union conferences. This has special reference to the many nationalities other than the German and Scandinavian. Brother Boettcher, who speaks a number of languages, seems to be especially fitted for this position. Three years ago he came here from Europe at the request of the General Conference, to connect with the work in the interests of the foreign nationalities in the United States. During the time he has been in New York, he has given special study to the conditions, needs, and surroundings of the foreigners in this country. We feel sure that this appointment is a fitting one, and will greatly aid in developing the work among the foreign nationalities.

It was also recommended that Brother Boettcher be ordained and receive credentials. The ordination took place on Sabbath, July 23, in the German Church in Brooklyn, Elders R. D. Quinn, H. R. Johnson, B. E. Miller, and the writer being present and taking part in the service.

We have also been able to secure the labors of Elder H. R. Johnson and his wife to connect with the foreign training-mission. Brother Johnson has had a long experience as a minister, and for some time has been a Bible teacher in Union College, and so comes well equipped for this work. Brethren Boettcher and Johnson will thus unite in carrying forward a Bible training-school for the development of workers among the foreign nationalities.

In this move special attention will be given to the Italians, Bohemians, Hungarians, and many others for whom little or nothing has as yet been done. We have met a number of representatives of these various nationalities who, with proper training and experience, will develop into good workers. These are much needed. May the special blessing of the Lord rest upon this very important move, and may laborers be quickly developed to enter the whitened harvest-fields everywhere.

Another Important Move

At the General Conference council held at Washington, D. C., last April, it was voted to ask the Latin Union Conference to send us a laborer who could devote his entire time to the sadly neglected French work in this country. Hundreds of thousands of French people are scattered throughout the length and breadth of this land, and in the East they form the majority of the population in many of the great cities; yet for some time we have not had a single active laborer among them. The brethren in Europe have kindly responded to this call, and recommended Elder Gustav Roth to take up this work. With his family Elder Roth arrived in Boston from Europe on July 28. They are all well and of good courage, and ready to throw their whole interest into the work for the French in this country.

We are glad that the way has opened to make this important move, and now let us pray that God's blessing may in a special manner rest upon the labors of Brother Roth. We rejoice to see these forward steps taken; and we sincerely trust that the blessing of the Lord may manifestly attend all these efforts, and thus hasten on the work to its glorious consummation. O. A. OLSEN.