Southern Germany by J. H. Schilling

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 17, 1908

Southern Germany

By J. H. Schilling

THE work of the third angel's message is making progress in this field. During the first three quarters of last year we baptized one hundred forty persons; during the corresponding period of this year one hundred ninety were baptized. The increase in the tithe and in all the regular offerings has been encouraging. During the last six months we have had many experiences which have taught us to be more diligent and persevering in pressing the battle forward. We have also learned to be more careful and prudent in preaching the message. Since the Lord has given us freedom in Bavaria, our churches have greatly increased in numbers and in power.

Last summer we were permitted to

conduct a series of lectures in Augsburg, where, as all know, the great Augsburg Confession of Faith was framed and adopted. The lectures were held in a tent, which was something new for this city. The brethren who conducted the meetings spoke the truth in a decisive and positive manner, and a good interest was awakened. The daily papers, without our solicitation, began to print encouraging reports of our meetings, and as a result the interest constantly increased. Finally the ministers of the city learned of our progress, and began to write against our work in general, thinking thus to destroy the interest; but instead of quenching the flame of truth which was kindled, they caused it to burn brighter and clearer than ever. Of course the brethren did not let an article pass without answering it, and in this way our cause was made more prominent in Bavaria than ever before. The interest was good to the end, and the Augsburg church was greatly strengthened in membership and in courage. We now have a flourishing church there. Truly the Lord always causes the wrath of man to praise him.

In Munich, the residence-city of the prince regent of Bavaria, the Lord caused his work to gain a similar and unexpected victory. A certain man, posing as a minister of our denomination, began to work in various sections of the city. After a short time the city authorities became alarmed because of the error he was preaching, and began to inquire whether he was really a member of our denomination, and whether we believed what he preached; whereupon they were informed that we did not know him, neither could we indorse what he taught. The police were then commissioned to arrest him for his false pretense. The articles which had appeared in the papers against him, or rather against us, because he preached in our name, were by order of the magistrate recalled. In order to have a trustworthy statement of our history, progress, and teaching, the publishers of the “Bavarian Year-Book for 1909,” at once solicited a short but comprehensive sketch of our origin, development, organization, present financial statistics, and the principal points of our faith. Thus the Lord again turned the wrath of man to praise him.

In Worms, that great city of the Reformation, we have a company; but it is small, notwithstanding the fact that much work has been done there. Last winter an earnest effort was made there, but without any results. Why should not these cities of the Reformation open their doors to this second reformation as they did to the first? May God help that it may yet be so!

While our hearts are pained with the indifference of such cities as Worms, from which, because of their former history, the light of the third angel's message should shine forth with the greatest power, we are made glad that other cities which withstood the Reformation, and remained firm for the Catholic faith, are opening their doors to us. The more prominent of these are Munich, Wurzburg, Strassburg, and Metz. The first two of these cities are in Bavaria, the latter in Alsace-Lorraine. Two years ago one would hardly have dared to preach the message in these provinces. Munich, the Athens of modern Europe, is truly a field white for the harvest. Our church there is flourishing. Wurzburg, where the X-ray was discovered, has lately become the seat of a brighter ray,—the ray of the last warning message to a dying world. In Strassburg we have gained an accession of over twenty-five members in one year, while in Metz we have also organized a church during the past year. It is gratifying to see how the truth, opposed on every side, is pressing its way into the hearts of men, cities, and nations. Brethren, continue to pray for us. We also pray for you.

J. H. Schilling.