Austria by J. WOLFGARTEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 14, 1909

Austria

By J. WOLFGARTEN

For a long time I intended to proclaim our message in Gratz, the capital of Stiermark. The city has about one hundred fifty thousand inhabitants. It is beautifully situated. Near by is the Schoeckel, fourteen hundred meters high. We have some brethren here, but no public effort has been made. I visited the place the latter part of last September. We hoped to be able to hold our meeting under the auspices of our society, as, according to the law, a member of the committee of said society must open the meeting. The officials, however, would not grant the desired permission. We had already rented the hall, distributed invitations, and then to be thus disappointed! But the chief of police offered a solution. There was a law that would allow a citizen of Austria to open a public meeting for me. If I could secure such a person, he would then assume the responsibility for whatever might be said in the lecture. Two years ago I had made the acquaintance of a gentleman during a Bible reading in this city. All I could recall as to his identity was that he had a sandy beard, and was employed in the city hall. After a time, I also remembered his name. I looked for him in his office, but as I met a gentleman without the sandy beard, I was astonished, and thought I had made a mistake. However, the man recognized me, and I told him my request, and asked him if he would be willing to assume the responsibility of conducting the meeting.

“Indeed I would,” was his reply. Then he told me that just two days ago he had prayed that he might be able to do something for our good work, tears stood in his eyes, and he said, “My prayer has been heard.” We went to the police headquarters. On the way, I asked him if he was an Austrian citizen. “Yes,” he said, “I was a German, and have only recently been naturalized.” We went to the police, whose first question to the man was: “Are you an Austrian citizen?” “Yes,” replied the man. “Then kindly give your signature to this,” the officer requested. As we parted, I thanked God for his leading, and was persuaded that he has souls in this city.

Our friend opened each evening meeting with these words: “I greet you heartily. Mr. Wolfgarten will now speak to us” on such and such a subject. From one hundred to one hundred fifty persons came every night. As I was asked to go to Prague, I could not follow up the work, but Brother R. Schillinger was called from Croatia, and he writes that he has still a good interest.

But I almost forgot one thing. As I announced the open meetings in writing, one of the higher officers said that the law demands the intervention of three days between the announcement and the holding of the meeting. But I replied that three days was three times twenty-four hours, or seventy-two hours, and it was still about eighty hours till the time of the appointed lecture. “Yes,” said he, “that won’t do. I understand it as I have said.” “But,” I replied, “I think it must be as I have stated. I will be glad to ask the chief of police what he has to say about it.” “Well,” answered the officer, “I will myself go to the chief.” He returned after a short time, and said: “I contend that my understanding of the three days was the correct one, and yet we have agreed to make you no trouble in this matter, so you may begin the lectures Sunday.” I thanked him, and as I took my leave, I thought, “The Lord has also done this.” I shall never forget these experiences. Our friend must open the meetings, and, therefore, has opportunity to hear everything that is said. A short time ago, as we were on the way home, he said: “If I only knew what to do with reference to the Sabbath! I now feel more happy than formerly. My wife said, ‘What’s the matter with you?’ I replied to her, ‘Visit the meetings, and you will learn.’” God grant that this man may accept the light.

One more experience: I wished to speak concerning the little horn, and still I hesitated to say anything about it, as what I said was being reported stenographically by the police commissioner, who was always present. However, I delivered a lecture on our duty toward the government, based on Romans 13. As he saw our view of this matter, he did not seem to think us so dangerous, and the next time he did not come to the lecture. Thus I could speak freely and openly on this matter, and many in the audience showed their appreciation of our treatment of the subject. We must seek new ways to proclaim God’s truth under the circumstances that confront us in these lands. It is indeed God who leads us to see the way. At another time we may write more of the work in Austria. J. WOLFGARTEN.