A New German Conference by Guy Dail

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 30, 1908

A New German Conference

By Guy Dail

GUY DAIL

The last of the new fields to be formed in the German Union this season, was the Saxon Conference, which was organized at Leipsic, Feb. 12-16, 1908. Aside from the local workers, there were present at the meeting Brethren L. R. Conradi, H. F. Schuberth, O. Lüpke, Dr. Meyer, W. Ising, G. W. Schubert, J. T. Boettcher, J. Erzberger, and J. Huenergardt, who attended the sessions of the German Union committee that were held here at the same time.

Forty-one delegates represented the following eleven Saxon churches: Auerbach, Chemnitz, Dresden, Eibenstock, Leipsic, Meissen, Ober-Lungwitz, Ober-Schlema, Plauen, Wurzen, and Zwoenitz. This conference has a membership of three hundred ninety-seven. Aside from these delegates there were about one hundred fifty others in attendance; the evening lectures were well visited by strangers, who manifested a deep interest in the word spoken.

The duties of a conference were plainly set before the delegates. They were also told their privileges, and cheerfully promised to take an active part in the spread of the message in their densely populated kingdom. They were reminded also of the great need in the mission fields of the German Union, to which they give two tenths of their tithe. They also gladly promised all their offerings to the General Conference for missionary work in other parts

of Europe, in Asia, and in Africa. In May, 1907 they had a tithe of 19,893.49 marks; their Sabbath-school donations were 1,779.72 marks; their weekly offerings, 1,232.35 marks; and their annual offerings amounted to 1,261.39 marks.

Eighty persons were received into our membership in this part of the field during 1907; the net gain was thirty-three. At the beginning of last year, there were four workers here, while at the end of the year, there were five. At the conference just held, papers were granted to three ordained ministers, one licentiate, five Bible workers, and sixteen colporteurs.

The territory of this conference formerly belonged to the East German field. It includes simply the kingdom of Saxony, with a population of about four million five hundred thousand. Dresden, the capital city, contains five hundred thirty thousand inhabitants; the second city in point of population is Leipsic, the center of the German book-trade, with five hundred four thousand people. Two thirds of the Saxonians are engaged in manufacturing. Their large coal fields give them cheap fuel. This is one of the most thickly settled countries in the world. It is said to have seven hundred forty-three persons to the square mile.

The resolutions passed were, in general, such as have already been referred to in our former reports concerning the German midwinter meetings. However, there was one resolution of special interest:—

“As we are commanded to fear God, and honor the king, and to be subject to the civil government in all things within its sphere; therefore,—

“Resolved, That we petition the government of the kingdom of Saxony, for incorporation rights also in this land, such as we recently were granted in Bavaria. We assure the government not only of our thanks, but also of our intercessions (for those in authority) before the throne of grace.”

It would be instructive, could we take the time to give our readers a view of the manner in which the truth has been carried here in this small kingdom. Suffice it to say, there are many difficulties confronting the workers, which are unknown in other and more favored lands,—lands where we as a people enjoy unrestricted liberty. However, let us hope and pray that the same Father who has given us freedom in Russia, in Bavaria, and now partially in Austria, will work on the hearts of the rulers here, that we may enjoy the same rights as are accorded us in other parts of the field.

The ordination of three church elders and two deacons took place Sabbath afternoon. It was a season of refreshing to those present. The nominating committee suggested Elder K. Sinz as the first president of the Saxon Conference, and he was unanimously elected.

The brethren returned to their homes with thankful hearts to God for his bounties, and full of hope for the future growth of the work in their young field. May God give his blessing in still greater measure to the spread of the message here. Hamburg, Germany.