Eighth Meeting

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 27, 1909

May 17, 3 P. M.

Elder H. W. Cottrell called for a continuation of the reports from the German Union Conference. Elder K. Sinz, speaking through an interpreter, Elder L. R. Conradi, for the

Saxon Conference

reported as follows:—

The field which I represent is the cradle of the Reformation. The territory is small, but has a population of four million five hundred thousand. Our work there was at first under the direction of Elder Perk, but he was sent out of the country, being a foreigner. As I was born in that country, I was called to labor there, but have been greatly hindered. At every meeting, even when met for singing, there were detectives present, noting what was said and done; but to-day the authorities are more favorable to us. We can not yet baptize openly, nor celebrate the ordinances of the Lord’s house. In spite of all these difficulties, the truth has spread in such a manner that by January, 1908, the believers could be organized into a conference. Our membership is now four hundred thirty-four, and our tithe for last year was over five thousand dollars. We are grateful for our success, and our brethren and sisters there are of good courage.

Middle German Conference

In the absence of the president of the Middle German Conference, W. Prillwitz, his report was presented by Guy Dail, as follows:—

This is the youngest conference in the German Union. It contains a population of five million four hundred forty-eight thousand three hundred, among whom we have twenty churches and companies, with a membership of four hundred eighty-two. We have two ministers, three licentiates, six Bible workers, and two other helpers. During the first quarter of our organized existence, we have had a gain of thirty-four members, and the tithe was twenty-eight hundred dollars. In spite of opposition the Lord has blessed the work. We are happy that our opponents are being silenced by the truth, and that the Lord is leaving these efforts not without results.

Holland and Flemish-Belgium Mission Field

In the absence of R. G. Klingbeil, the superintendent of this mission, his report was presented by Brother J. Wintzen, in substance as follows:—

The members of the Holland and Flemish-Belgium Mission field send their sincere greetings and best wishes for the blessing of God to the General Conference assembled.

While the area of our field is not large, yet we have nine million people to work for. Our staff consists of eight laborers, and we have now about two hundred fifty members. In 1908 their tithes and offerings amounted to $2,607.96. God has richly blessed our canvassing work. We have twenty-nine canvassers, who, in 1908, sold books to the value of six thousand fifty-nine dollars. Our Holland paper, Teekenen des Tijds, is published monthly, with an average of seven thousand copies. The work here has grown amid many difficulties. All our brethren and sisters firmly believe in this third angel’s message, and are working to bring the message to their neighbors.

The Balkan Mission

This union mission field was reported for by Elder H. F. Schuberth, president of the union, as follows:—

The Balkan Mission consists of Rumania, with a population of seven million seven hundred thousand, and Bulgaria, with four millions. Five years ago Brother J. F. Hinter went to Bucharest, and found there a company of sixteen Sabbath-keepers. The membership of this church has now grown to one hundred six. Although in their unconverted state the many nationalities of which this mission field is composed are continually at odds with one another, yet the third angel’s message makes them all one in Christ. Though many times threatened with banishment, Brother Hinter has been able to work all these years without serious molestation. However, only a month ago, he was compelled by the authorities to leave the country, and has taken up his residence on the border of Rumania, where he can look after the work in the field. I was there myself at the time, and was compelled to leave within twenty-four hours, because it was stated that the growth of our work was threatening the prosperity of the Greek Church. The total membership of this field is one hundred thirty-seven, and our force of laborers includes two ministers and four Bible workers. Our tithe for 1908 was $1,195.37. The work and workers here have every need of the prayers of our people.

At this point the chairman called for further reports by the brethren from the Russian Union Conference.

The South Russian Conference

D. Isaak, president of the South Russian Conference, reported as follows:—

In October, 1905, I was assigned to South Russia, which field then had a membership of two hundred seventy. In the three years following, through the blessing of God, we have added three hundred forty to that membership. This includes both Russians and Germans, and one family of Jews. In 1907

this mission field was organized into a conference, known as the South Russian Conference. We have four laborers. The calls for laborers are coming in much faster than we can possibly answer them. We have great hopes that our coming school will help in this respect. One Russian laborer has been working at Sevastopol for the past year, and has had his hall filled every evening, and a church of sixty-two members has been organized. Three of these, who were sailor-soldiers, are now suffering imprisonment for their faith.

Our canvassers in general are doing well in selling books, tracts, and papers. This conference, even from its beginning as a mission field, has been self-supporting. We have at present sixteen churches and three companies, with a membership of five hundred seventy-two.

The West Russian Mission

The report from this mission field was presented by D. P. Gaede, the director, who said:—

Over a century ago my forefathers, known as the German Mennonites, emigrated to Russia from the plains of eastern Prussia. They had been promised in Russia “religious liberty forever,” but Alexander III interpreted “forever” to mean just one hundred years. This caused many to emigrate to America. Among these, my parents came to America in 1879, I at that time being twelve years of age. I accepted present truth in Kansas, and later went back to the old country to labor for the native Russians. The nine years that I have now labored in Russia have been full of rich blessings and the ingathering of precious souls. I have seen the increase of members in Russia from seven hundred to three thousand, and the workers from five to fifty.

The Lord has gone before us in our work. There is an “away from Rome” movement in Poland, the special aim of whose exponents is to ignore the authority of the pope, give the Bible to the people, and allow the priests to marry. It has come to be a powerful movement. We believe this to be an open door for the message. A similar stir is being made among the Jews, several missionary organizations being at work among them. Last year I spent a part of my time among these people, and had the privilege of baptizing three persons.

At the close of this report Brother G. Perk, one of the first Seventh-day Adventists in Russia, if not the very first, told some interesting experiences in connection with his first witnessing for the truth in that country.