Holland Mission Field by J. Wibbens

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 17, 1914

Holland Mission Field

By J. Wibbens

THE eighteenth annual meeting of the Holland Mission was held at Rotterdam, July 1-5, 1914. All the conference workers were present, also Elders L. R. Conradi, H. F. Schuberth, N. Z. Town, J. G. Ob-lander (president of the West German Union), R. G. Klingbeil, and Brother H. Boex. About one hundred of our own people were at the meeting, and the outside attendance at the evening services filled the large hall.

The work in Holland has seen some unusually trying experiences, but has now so far recovered that the president could report 322 members. During the year 1913 fifty-seven new members were taken into church fellowship, and in the first half of 1914, forty-four persons. The tithe amounted in 1913 to $2,540; the total offerings to missions, $541. The gifts to missions during the first half of 1914 were only four dollars less than the total amount given during 1912. The corps of workers in this field consists of two ordained ministers, four licentiate ministers, five Bible workers, and two lady nurses, also an average of twenty-four canvassers. These canvassers sold in 1913 about $6,400 worth of our literature. In connection with the conference meetings, very profitable canvassers' meetings were held. The subscription book plan is but very little followed, the books being sold at the time of the canvass. The canvasser carries an assortment with him. This is doubtless the reason that the sales of large books are not large comparatively. As the Hamburg Publishing House is getting out an edition of Elder Conradi's work on “Daniel and the Revelation” in the Dutch language, it is to be hoped that some canvassers will give the subscription book methods a fair trial.

On Sabbath Elder Conradi preached a powerful sermon, and many were led to dedicate themselves anew to the Lord. The Sabbath school collection amounted to a little over twenty dollars.

Although Holland has the name of being a Protestant country, yet two fifths of the population are Roman Catholics. As in other Protestant countries, Roman Catholicism is making progress with rapid strides. In centuries gone by, Holland furnished a home for Protestant and Jewish fugitives; now it becomes the place of safety for monks and nuns driven from the western European Roman Catholic countries. The influence of these elements, driven from these countries because of their detrimental influences in state and society, is looked upon by many with grave apprehension. Yet the majority of the Protestants here have ceased to protest, and in political affairs Calvinists and Romanists stand shoulder to shoulder. The third angel's message is needed here as much as elsewhere, and certainly the Lord has souls who will follow and serve him when the message is properly presented. The general prospects of the work are good. Pray for the workers in this field.

J. WIBBENS.