In Holland and Flemish Belgium by GUY DAIL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 15, 1908

In Holland and Flemish Belgium

By GUY DAIL

GUY DAIL

The annual session of the Holland and Flemish Belgium mission was held in the pleasant city of The Hague, July 29 to August 2. About one hundred eighty of the two hundred twenty-five Sabbath-keepers in this field, and a number of interested persons in the city, were in attendance.

As we met the brethren, and saw the expression of hope and courage that was plainly visible on their faces, our thoughts went back to the meeting held in 1902, when we had about two hundred forty-five members, but when gloom, doubt, and dissatisfaction marked the conduct of by far the larger number of them, because of the “new light” they had discovered, and the strong national feeling among some of the leaders. We recalled the hard struggle, the falling away of nearly two hundred members, and for the moment reviewed the long pull our faithful members have had in bringing the work up nearly to the same numerical strength it then had. We are glad God remembered his people, that he worked for them, and that brighter days have dawned for us in Holland.

There are many tokens of improvement. One of the chief is the growth in the canvassing work, the sales for 1907 being $3,588, against $794.43 in 1905, more than quadrupling within two years. It encourages our hearts to know that thirty-two canvassers are now at work here under careful and thorough leadership, and that the Holland paper has increased its circulation to sixty-five hundred—five times what it was a year and a half ago.

The meetings have been characterized by earnestness and the blessing of God. Six were baptized. Brethren J. Wibbens and P. Schilstra were ordained to the ministry. About fifty came forward for a deeper work of grace in their hearts after the forenoon service Sabbath.

The brethren feel very grateful for the tent that has been given them by the friends in America; and it is now pitched in Brussels, where we have a good interest. A fund is being raised for the purchase of a tent for the Holland part of the field. The brethren hope to have this tent made the coming winter, if possible.

Five young people were recommended to the Friedensau School from here, so that we trust we shall soon be able to put some more earnest young Dutch workers into the field. We know all will be glad to learn that already there is considerable enthusiasm in this country with reference to furnishing Holland workers for the colonies, and that their first-fruits in this direction are already seen, as Brother van de Groep is under appointment to the Dutch East Indies, and will be en route to that field by September 12. We trust it may not be long until Holland will be able to offer other laborers for the “regions beyond” among its large colonies.

Brother R. G. Klingbeil was again chosen superintendent, and Brother Wibbins secretary, of this mission. Elder Klingbeil will change his field of labor from Brussels to The Hague, that he may again be more centrally located to look after the churches to better advantage; while Elder Wibbins, assisted by the French-speaking laborers there, will follow up the interest in Brussels.

Although this is but a small field, so far as territory is concerned, yet it contains over nine million people. Its tithe last year was $1,597, while the offerings were $221, against $1,050 tithe, and $150 offerings in 1906. There was a gain of about $418 in tithes and offerings.

Harmony prevailed in all the work of the meeting, and the Lord gave freedom and power to his servants from abroad,—Elders L. R. Conradi, H. F. Schuberth, and Ed. Frauchiger. All go back to their homes feeling that they have enjoyed the best meeting we ever held in Holland, and they are of good courage for the coming year. We commend the work and the workers and the brethren and sisters in Holland and Flemish Belgium to the interest and prayers of our people in all lands.

Hamburg.