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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Aug 3, 1905

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 82, No. 31.

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Hungary

By J. F. HUENERGARDT

J. F. HUENERGARDT
The people of God are always glad to hear that the message has reached a new people, and is being proclaimed in another tongue. Last summer, we were able to report to our brethren the organization of our first Slavonian company of believers in Hungary; this summer, we are already able to see the work advance among the Servians.
History students will know that Hungary is a part of that territory which was for hundreds of years the battle-ground of nations. Before, during, and for some time after the division of the Roman empire—and especially in the fourth and fifth centuries A. D.—Hungary was, so to speak, everybody’s and no man’s land. This is the reason so many different peoples and languages are found here.
The work was first begun among the German-speaking people. Soon after, however, some Hungarians embraced the truth, then a few Russacasiens; after that some Slavonians; and now we hope soon to organize the first group of Servian believers. Several are already keeping the Sabbath, and supporting the cause of God according to their ability. For this we are especially thankful to the Lord, and our hearts are filled with hope that we shall soon find some who will be able to begin the work in Servia—about the only country in Europe which Seventh-day Adventist workers have not yet entered. It is a sad fact that other Christian denominations have also left this country almost untouched. Brother Todor, one of our Hungarian Bible workers who speaks the Servian language quite fluently, is now working among the Servians in Hungary. We hope and pray that there may soon be developed workers who will be able to labor in Servia proper.
On my last trip among the Servians in Hungary, I found a man who, several years ago, heard of people who kept the seventh-day Sabbath. He at once wrote letters to Hamburg and other large cities in Germany; but not being able to address the letters correctly, he had no success in finding us. He then wrote to Budapest and several other cities in Hungary, but with no better results. At last, through the agency of the BibleSociety, he received my address in Budapest, and so wrote to me. This man now rejoices in the truth, and through him others have accepted it.
On this same occasion I visited a community where a number of Servians and Slavs came together to inquire about the truth. These people have been keeping the Sabbath for a number of years, but were not yet clear on the tithing question and health reform. We prayerfully discussed these questions in several meetings, but without success. Finally the Spirit of the Lord led us to relate the experience of this people in the early days. I told them that at the beginning of this movement many were united on the Sabbath question, but would not unite on account of divers questions upon which they could not agree. This had proved a great hindrance in the cause of God, and delayed the work. The Lord, however, gave his people the spirit of prophecy, according to the Scriptures. Eph. 4: 11-14; Rev. 12: 17; 19: 10. By this spirit of prophecy he brought union and harmony into the lives of his people, and organization. The tithing system and all other truths were accepted. Our past experience has shown us that the Lord has blessed his people since, and I would advise them also to believe in the Lord and in his prophets, that they might be prospered.
This brought a sudden change over the whole meeting, and even the one who most strongly objected, declared: “I will not contend against the Lord.” We thank the Lord for these victories, and hope soon to be able to report greater success.
I will close with just a word to our American brethren and workers in the large cities of America, about our little Hungarian paper, Az Arato. We would like to call your attention to the many Hungarians who emigrated to Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Boston, New York City, and other important cities of the States. We will gladly send addresses of families who have already heard the truth here, and will also distribute copies of our paper among them. We have twenty millions of people here in Hungary, and only a few workers to spread the message. We need your prayers and help, dear brethren. Who will respond?
Rakosszentmihaly, Raikoczy utcza 11, Via Budapest, Hungary.