The Eighth Annual Session of the German Union Conference
By Guy Dail
Nestled among the green and ever-fragrant young pine-trees on the quiet meadows of Friedensau, there are between one hundred forty and one hundred fifty tents pitched, accommodating the larger number of the more than twelve hundred brethren and sisters who have been able to attend the great spiritual feast held here July 16-26. All parts of the German Union Conference field have been well represented, delegates being present even from German East Africa. We have never had a more thoroughly missionary conference in the German Union Conference. As will be remembered, beginning with Jan. 1, 1908, Russia, with one hundred forty-six million inhabitants, and twenty-five hundred members, was cut off from the German Union Conference territory; but in spite of this, the German Union Conference is still one of the largest and strongest we have. It is composed of the German empire, Austria-Hungary, the Balkans, Holland and Flemish Belgium, German Switzerland, and, as mission territory, it includes German East Africa. Here is a population of about one hundred forty-three million, speaking over fifty languages. If we make a comparison of the German Union Conference territory of today with the same territory one year ago, we find that in July, 1907, its membership was 6,591. During the last twelve months, 1,705 persons have been baptized, and two hundred one received by vote, giving a net increase of 1,292, against 1,348 baptized and 198 received by vote the previous year. Our present membership is 7,883 (at the close of the second quarter of 1908). Fifty persons have been baptized at this meeting. The tithe from July 1, 1907, to July 1, 1908, was 348,100 marks, against 291,800 marks the previous year—a gain of 56,100 marks. The Sabbath-school, First-day, and annual offerings were about 63,000 marks, or 21,000 marks more than for the previous year. [A mark is about twenty-five cents.—Ed.] The past year has seen the organization of two new conferences—Hungary and Saxony. And at this meeting it has been voted to open work in Croatia, whither Elder R. Schillinger, of Switzerland, and Brother A. Mocnik, of the Friedensau School, are to go. Sister Louise Rowlin, of the Silesian Conference, will open the work in Galicia. Other German Union Conference workers were also chosen to go out as foreign missionaries. Brother W. Scholz, of Berlin, and Sister Brefin, a nurse at Friedensau, are recommended to the work in Syria, whither we have but recently sent our former German Union Conference Secretary, Brother W. Ising. Brethren W. Koelling, P. Drinhaus, and M. Poenig, were appointed to go to German East Africa. Brother Van de Groep, of Holland, is recommended for the Dutch East Indies. We are glad that notwithstanding the large German field, the Lord has so blessed the work of the school at this place that we can more and more answer the demand for European workers in these various foreign lands, and thus help in carrying out the instruction of the Lord with reference to the manner in which European Protestant countries should assist the darker heathen portions of the earth. Last year the Friedensau Industrial Training-school had about one hundred fifty students. Since its establishment, it has enrolled four hundred eighty pupils, three hundred thirty of whom have entered the work. At this meeting, forty-three additional students have been received. Ten nationalities are represented among the young men and women in the school. About fifty have entered the work from here this year. These students are scattered in all parts of the14territory of the German and Russian union conferences, as well as in Africa, Asia, and South America. Although the school is not a money-making institution, yet it does not lose. It is now proposed to erect a new main building for additional and much-needed class rooms, with one wing containing five teachers’ dwellings, and, later on, a wing furnishing sleeping and living apartments for about fifty more students. Our school and educational facilities have not kept pace with the growth of our membership, and the increase of our tithe. When finally completed, the Friedensau School will accommodate two hundred students. The old people’s home is gradually filling up, having at present twenty inmates. The sanitarium, which has been enlarged, and fitted up with an X-ray apparatus, is filled to overflowing with patients, having about one hundred under treatment now. The health food factory here, and the food store in Hamburg, have had a fair gain. However, the increase in the cost of raw material, which has not been accompanied by a corresponding rise in the price of our foods, has made it impossible for the factory to declare as large a gain as in former years. The Hamburg Publishing House has just closed the best year it ever had. Its gains have been used in enlarging the business the past year; but we are glad that it has been necessary for the shipping, stock, and printing departments to be enlarged. In 1907-1908 there were printed in Hamburg and in Leipsic, sixty-two million pages of tracts, pamphlets, and books, eleven million of which were in foreign languages, the rest in German. Of our German periodicals, 1,904,700 copies were issued, and 82,425 copies of the foreign papers. Publications were issued in fourteen languages,—German, Dutch, Esthonian, Lettonian, Russian, Polish, Bohemian, Hungarian, Slavonian, Servian, Rumanian, Wendic, Portuguese, and Spanish. If we compare these figures with those of the previous year, we find that about three times as many pages of the foreign books, tracts, and pamphlets were issued this year as last, and about one fifth more pages of the German. Of the German periodicals, four hundred thousand more were put out last year than the year before, and four thousand more of the foreign periodicals. During 1907 about four hundred fifty thousand marks’ worth of publications were sold by the publishing house. We are pleased to state that God was with us in the transaction of the business that came up before the delegates. In general, there was no dissenting voice to the actions taken. It was voted that the management of the German East African mission be turned over to the General Conference Committee, beginning with Jan. 1, 1908; and thus for this present year, the German Union Conference will need no appropriations from without, to assist in carrying on its work. An additional burden is being assumed by the union conference in the efforts it is making to increase the number of workers in its mission fields. The material fund for another edition of “Ministry of Healing” was begun, and about five thousand marks were raised for this purpose in gifts and pledges. The sale of the book has gone very well indeed, about eight thousand copies having been disposed of the past two years. A vote of sympathy was passed for the relatives of Brother G. Sander, who was taken from our force in German East Africa the past spring. The growth of the general work in Europe made it seem advisable to relieve Elder L. R. Conradi of the German Union Conference presidency, which was unanimously given to Brother H. F. Schuberth, who has been vice-president of the union for some time. Elder J. H. Schilling was chosen vice-president; Brother R. Rall, secretary; Brother A. Doerner, corresponding secretary; and Sister B. Severin, treasurer; Brother Rall will also act as secretary of the tract and Sabbath-school departments. The delegates fittingly expressed their appreciation of the help of God rendered the union conference through the services of Elder Conradi, and assured him of their continued interest and prayers in his future work. Brother H. Dierking, of the German Union Conference District, and O. Janert, who is to go to Rumania, were ordained to the ministry, while a special prayer was offered for the missionaries departing to Africa and Asia the second Sabbath afternoon of the meeting. God’s blessing was very near. Our wealth is in our young men and women. We have now two hundred gospel workers, thirty-six of whom are ministers, thirty-seven licentiates, and one hundred seventeen Bible workers, and some other laborers. There are about two hundred eighty-five colporteurs,—a small number of workers in proportion to the density of the population. This does not include the new workers just sent out from the school, about fifteen of whom enter the evangelical work. The first Sabbath forenoon about two hundred remained for prayer and special seeking of the Lord. The Spirit strove with the people. God’s servants had freedom in presenting the message. The outside attendance was good, especially the second Sunday. The labors of Elder W. J. Fitzgerald, who was with us the first part of the meeting, were appreciated, and blessed of God. The workers’ meetings were specially helpful, instructive, and very practical. Elder Conradi had freedom in leading out in the study of the life of Paul, as an example of how we should work. The German brethren who ministered in word and doctrine were also enabled to preach the truth in a clear, convincing, converting manner. The music rendered by the Friedensau School choir was excellent. The people go from here expressing their gratitude for the glorious meeting we have had together, and their determination to be more faithful to God than ever in the past. All departments of the message have been given attention, and all are glad to have been here, to meet with God, and re-dedicate themselves to him. The work is onward; the outlook is encouraging; and we trust that still greater things may be done for us because of the presence of our God with us, and the greatness of our demands upon his mercy. Brethren, pray for the German Union Conference, for its workers, and for the one hundred thirty-five million souls who are within its borders in Europe, many millions of whom never have heard a word about the third angel’s message, and the Lord’s soon coming.