The Vistula Conference, East Germany
By Guy Dail
THE first annual session of the Vistula Conference was held here in Bromberg Dec. 27-31, 1911. Nearly two hundred of our own people were in attendance. The local workers were assisted by the same visiting brethren who were at the Konigsberg meeting. Because of the interest in the public illustrated lectures, it was necessary for us to secure a larger hall, and also to request our people to absent themselves from the public evening meetings entirely, and attend the overflow meeting held specially for them in our own rented chapel. The good interest awakened will be followed up by a new series of lectures for those not of our faith. The night of the first lecture, after Elder O. Luepke and I had gladly given place to the strangers who were trying to get into the lecture, we attended a prayer-meeting in one of the churches of the city. After we both had said a few words of good cheer at the pastor’s request, we were greatly surprised and pleased to hear him make the following announcement: “As you have no doubt noticed, there is a series of lectures being held in this city, and I judge from the posters that they are of a decidedly religious character. I would invite you to pray for the success of these lectures, to attend them yourselves, and to invite others to attend them. I myself expect to go.” At the close of the meeting, the minister offered a prayer in which he asked God to be with the brethren who were conducting the meetings at the place mentioned on the handbills, and to give them much of his Spirit and success. This gentleman did not know that the meetings had anything to do with our people, and therefore, of course, he did not pray for them on account of the two strangers who had dropped in to hear him that evening, and had taken part in the services. This experience greatly rejoiced our hearts, and made us feel that the Lord of hosts is working for his children in more ways than we realize; we are convinced that the God of heaven is anxiously waiting for his servants to humble their souls before him, and to clear the King’s highway, that he may do a short work in the earth. The president’s report of the year’s work shows that during 1911 ninety-seven persons were received into church-membership in this field. Ten workers are employed here. There was a net gain of sixty-seven, giving a membership of 499 at the close of the year. The tithe averaged forty-three marks a member. At the meeting 1,349 marks (263 marks of which was cash) was given for the work in the regions beyond. In spite of the fact that there were only twenty-three canvassers engaged in the territory of this conference during 1911, which was one less than during the previous year, the sales for 1911 amounted to 6,000 marks more than the sales for 1910,—being 18,468 marks,—and the prospects for future success in the canvassing work are bright. The delegates were glad that they could comply with the recommendation of the East German Union committee, and release the province of Posen, which is to become a part of a new conference, beginning with Jan. 1, 1912. The Sabbath day was one greatly blessed of the Lord. Brethren Andreas Krautschick and Otto Kapitz were set apart to the gospel ministry. The brethren and sisters in this field go forth to their homes with renewed strength and courage for another year’s earnest labor in the Master’s vineyard.