In Eastern Prussia by GUY DAIL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 18, 1909

In Eastern Prussia

By GUY DAIL

GUY DAIL

The territory of the Prussian Conference contains the two provinces of East and West Prussia. It has about three million seven hundred thousand inhabitants. This is one of the agricultural districts of Prussia. We have a large number of rural churches here. For years this district has been noted for the loyalty of its people to the crown. We found them also loyal to the message, and liberal in their support of the truth.

The sixth annual meeting of the Prussian field was held in the small city of Loetzen (population about ten thousand), January 13-17. About two hundred twenty-five brethren and sisters were present. One hundred strangers, some of whom were among the leading citizens of the place, came to the evening lectures, where the Lord greatly blessed the labors of Elders H. F. Schuberth, J. Erzberger, E. Enseleit, and H. Behr. One interesting talk was given on health principles by Dr. E. Meyer.

Brethren A. Rockel and F. L. Ott were ordained to the gospel ministry. Six were baptized; the ice, which was about a foot and a half thick, had to be cut to make way for the baptismal service. Three new companies were received.

There are about forty churches and companies in this conference; and during the year 1908 there were one hundred nine members received, bringing up the conference membership from seven hundred thirty-nine to eight hundred

nine. Seventy-eight delegates represented thirty-six of the churches and companies. The tithe was 23,691 marks, or 4,956 marks more than in 1907. So judicious was this field in its expenditures, that, after it had voted one thousand marks for Galicia, and had paid its twelve workers for 1908, it still had a surplus of fifteen hundred marks for the year. Its book sales were also very encouraging. During the last five years it has doubled its sales; and the past year, when compared with 1907, shows a growth; for in 1908 the sales were 26,487 marks, against 22,828 the previous year. Toward the new school building in Friedensau, four hundred seventeen marks were given in cash and pledges. (A mark is a little less than twenty-five cents.)

This conference also gave its president, Brother Enseleit, to take charge of the work in Galicia. In his place Brother E. Bahr, of the West German Conference, was chosen president.

One of the interesting features of this meeting was the question box, in which were received various questions concerning organization, the duties of church officers, discipline, etc. Brother Schuberth had charge of the answering of these questions, and was able to give much valuable instruction to the delegates and to the brethren and sisters present.

The members and the workers begin the new year with better courage than before. That there are difficulties before them, they all know. They also have learned that the Lord is greater than the difficulties, and that his Spirit is going out before his messengers. May the coming year see more brought into the truth than has any year in the past. Let us work and pray to that end.

Hamburg.