p. 17 | In the Silesian Conference by Guy Dail

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 23, 1908

In the Silesian Conference

By Guy Dail

ONE year ago this field was organized out of the territory of the East German Conference, and at that time it had a membership of 381. The first twelve months of its separate existence witnessed 118 accessions, and a net increase of ninety-two, so that its present membership is 473. Last year its tithe was 21,121 marks, or an average of 44.65 marks per capita. Its Sabbath-school, weekly, and annual offerings amounted to 4,300 marks. The book sales were 18,321 marks, against 13,322 marks in 1906.

Posen and Silesia are the two provinces that make up the territory of this field, and their population amounts to 6,929,250, a large number of whom are Poles. We were much pleased to hear some of them bear testimony in their mother tongue during the social meeting Sabbath afternoon.

The city of Posen, where the second annual Silesian conference was held February 7-11, was the capital of the kingdom of Poland until the close of the thirteenth century. It now contains about 141,000 inhabitants; it is a growing town, with a number of fine modern public buildings, among which is the new castle of the German Crown Prince. Of the old structures, one of the most interesting is the Rathaus, or city hall erected as a Gothic edifice, but rebuilt in the Renaissance style (1550-1552) after a fire in 1536.

There were about one hundred twenty-five of our own people at the meeting. The lectures for strangers were held in four or five large halls in different parts of the city, and they were visited by three hundred or four hundred fifty each evening. The truth was presented in a straightforward, simple manner. One of the signs of the times has been the bitter spirit that is shown our work and workers in this place. One of the public Christian homes which provides accommodations for passing strangers, refused us lodging because of our religious belief. One evening during the conference there was a lecture against us and our work. Several of the brethren attended, and they report that only the greatest ignorance or the most wilful misrepresentations could be responsible for such untruths as the speaker uttered about the third angel's message. However, there were not more than about a fifth as many present as attended our own meeting that night. In our meeting two evenings later, the conference president replied to the charges made against us.

One of the most emphatic points made at this conference is the need of more literature in the Polish language. Thus far we have in that tongue “Christian Temperance,” “The Sufferings of Christ,” “Two Thrones,” “Full Assurance of Faith,” “Is the End Near?” and “God’s Prophetic World Clock.” “Glorious Appearing” is in process of preparation. Other works will soon be out in this language, for it is felt that we must do more to get the truth before the Polish-speaking nationality. These publications are issued by the Hamburg House.

Aside from the assistance of the local workers, Brethren L. R. Conradi, J. Erzberger, J. H. Schilling, and A. W. Petersohn were able to help in the work of the meeting.

There was the greatest harmony in the business sessions of the Silesian Conference. Elder J. Pieper was unanimously chosen president. The resolutions were of the same general character as in the other German meetings that have been reported in the REVIEW recently. There was a slight deficit after the auditing was done, for the annual income did not quite cover the expenses; but plans are laid to prevent such an

event in 1908. One of the workers, Sister Goldkuehler, who had but recently come from the Friedensau school, and was engaged for a short time in the Bible work here, was laid to rest during the latter part of the year. A resolution was passed in which the delegates fittingly expressed their sympathy to the parents and relatives of this sister. It was also voted to strengthen the poor fund of the conference, and a good collection for this purpose was taken on the spot; while the Sabbath-school and weekly offerings were liberal.

Four were baptized at Posen. One man was ordained to the gospel ministry—Brother C. Dangschat. The field begins its new year with three ordained ministers and ten Bible workers. There are twenty-six regular canvassers at work here.

We wish the brethren and sisters in Silesia and Posen well, the coming year, and trust they may be remembered in the prayers of our people. GUY DAIL.