Fifth Annual Session of the Prussian Conference by GUY DAIL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 26, 1908

Fifth Annual Session of the Prussian Conference

By GUY DAIL

THE fifty-seven delegates that represented the seven hundred thirty-nine members of this field have just finished the best meeting our people have held, having been in session from January 29 to February 2, at Dantsic. One of the remarkable things about this conference is that it has harmoniously and expeditiously conducted its business in the old Lutheran church building of the City Orphanage, which was first opened to public worship in 1704, and, having been rented and renovated by the Dantsic church of Seventh-day Adventists last November, largely through the kind offices of a friend of our people, it was rededicated after Elder Conradi's return from Russia. As might be supposed, the clergy began to speak and to write about the desecration of this orthodox property at the hands of this “sect.” But the more stir they made, the more publicity they gave to the work of God for these days. We see in all these little things evidences of what can happen as soon as the church is ready to be brought to the attention of the world.

Dantsic itself is an old city, being first mentioned in the latter part of the tenth century. It contains 165,000 inhabitants, and is the capital of West Prussia, one of the two provinces in the territory of the Prussian Conference. (East Prussia is the other province, and the field has a population of over 3,670,000.) Belonging to the Hanseatic League, Dantsic was one of the most important commercial cities of the Middle Ages; and to-day it, alone, of all the larger North German towns, is a rival of Lübeck in the preservation of its medieval characteristics. Many of its streets have a very antiquated appearance, with their “narrow, lofty, and richly decorated gable facades; . . . although a peculiarity of Dantsic, the Beischläge, or raised landings with open-air seats, are gradually being removed, as interfering with modern traffic.”

Throughout the meeting, God's Spirit was felt, and the word was presented with power by his servants. The visiting brethren, L. R. Conradi, J. Erzberger, J. H. Schilling, and A. W. Petersohn, were blessed in their efforts to help the people. About one hundred fifty of our own brethren were in attendance, and as many strangers were out to the lectures.

One of the most encouraging features of the work in this conference is the growth of the canvassing department. The sales for 1907 amounted to 22,828 marks, against 13,797 marks in 1906, and 17,151 marks in 1905. There has been very little increase in the number of colporteurs since 1906; but they have put forth more earnest efforts, which have been blessed of God. Last year seventy-five persons were baptized, and thirteen were received by vote; but the net increase has not been large for 1907, and there has been a falling off in their tithe and weekly offerings, but an increase in the Sabbath-school and annual gifts. The tithe for 1907 was 18,734 marks, or 25.35 marks per capita, against 30.26 marks a member in 1906. In 1906 many tithed their capital, and that helped to swell the income of the German fields very materially. Five were baptized, and a splendid revival service was held. Sabbath was a good day. Brother J. Christoffers was ordained to the ministry, and there are now three ministers, four licentiates, and three Bible workers engaged in proclaiming the glad tidings for our day in the Prussian Conference. They are assisted by about twenty-five canvassers.

We would not take space to refer to all the resolutions considered at this meeting. In view of the increase in opposition we have to overcome, it was recommended here, as in the other German Conferences this winter, that our people take special pains to provide themselves with our standard denominational works, as the “History of the Sabbath,” “Rise and Progress,” “Patriarchs and Prophets,” “Great Controversy,” “Testimonies,” etc., and that these books should be lacking in none of the church libraries. Not only ought they to be accessible, but they should be carefully studied by all our people; and much stress was laid on the importance of this study. We know that many give up the truth because they are not firmly

established in it, and so when some new doctrine comes along, they are carried away by it.

Elder E. Enseleit was unanimously chosen president for the coming year. The brethren and the workers leave here with much more courage to press the battle to the front, than they have ever had before. They realize that time is short, and that we must work while it is day. To this end, they wish God's people to pray for their success the coming year.

GUY DAIL.