p. 15 | In Rhenish Prussia by GUY DAIL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 28, 1909

In Rhenish Prussia

By GUY DAIL

M. GLADBACH.—The first of the season's mid-winter German meetings was the seventh annual session of the Rhenish Conference, held in M. Gladbach, December 23-27. This was the largest assembly of our people ever convened in Rhineland. More than five hundred of our brethren left the workshop and factory, to be present at the feast of good things offered by the conference. There was no special outside attendance, it being the holiday season.

The laborers' reports showed that the Lord had richly blessed their efforts the past year, for a greater number had accepted the truth in this field during 1908 than in any previous year. Three hundred eighty-two persons were baptized, and twenty-three were taken into church-membership by vote. Not only the workers, but also the individual members, have been richly repaid for their exertions in behalf of the spread of the message, and that, too, in the face of constant and bitter opposition. As the truth becomes better known, the clergy and spiritual leaders of the people are more active in warning their flocks against the special message to be proclaimed at this time, and we can see plainly that the dragon is wroth with the woman, and goes out to make war with the remnant of her seed. While we gain a goodly number of additions, we lose many members; for our numbers increased only from seven hundred sixty-four to ten hundred thirty-eight during the past twelve months. This shows that men are rapidly changing leaders.

Although Russia no longer is a part of the German Union Conference, still there is mission territory enough in Austria and in the Balkans to more than use up the union income. To enable the union quickly to develop the Galician field in Austria, the Rhenish Conference nobly voted fifteen hundred marks from its tithe toward a fund for this enterprise. Furthermore, henceforth the Rhenish field will annually place a tenth of its conference poor fund at the disposition of the German Union Conference, thus strengthening the union poor fund, just as the conference poor fund is made up largely by a tenth of the local poor fund of the churches. Our churches and companies were recommended to comply with the regulations laid down by the German Union Conference “Church Manual,” which deals with many questions concerning church organization, church order, church discipline, etc.

Owing to the urgent need of additional class-room, we are now erecting a new school-building in Friedensau. Toward this enterprise the brethren at the conference raised seven hundred ninety-two marks in cash and pledges.

The tithe, all of which has not yet been reported for the year, will probably be about ten thousand five hundred dollars, or just enough to cover the year's expenses.

Brethren H. F. Schuberth, O. Lupke, and R. G. Klingbeil, as well as Dr. E. Meyer and the head lady nurse from Friedensau, gave the local workers much appreciated help, and assisted in the public lectures. The health food demonstration, conducted before the audience, was a success. Brother John, of the Hamburg Publishing House, rendered valuable aid to the general canvassing agent, as well as to the thirty-five colporteurs who were at the conference.

All business was conducted harmoniously. The Spirit of God was especially near Sabbath afternoon, when Brethren W. Varlemann and R. Kumpel were ordained to the gospel ministry. The people in general expressed their joy at being able to meet together, and partake of so many rich spiritual blessings.

The nominating committee's report was unanimously adopted. Elder F. E. Frauchiger was again chosen president. He and the three ordained ministers, four licentiates, eleven Bible workers, and forty-seven canvassers, go out with new hope and cheer to gather in the harvest God may give them during the coming year. Remember the Rhenish-Prussian Conference, with its six and one-half million inhabitants, at the throne of grace.

GUY DAIL