The South German Conference
By L. R. Conradi
The annual meeting for the South German Conference convened at Stuttgart, a city of two hundred thousand inhabitants, January 11-15. There were delegates from Wurtemberg, Bavaria, Baden, Hesse, and Alsace-Lorraine. The conference sessions were held in the regular meeting-hall of the church at this place, which now numbers over sixty members, while the evening services were held in a music-hall, which was crowded every night. Elders H. F. Schuberth and J. T. Boettcher, and the writer assisted in the meetings. This conference contains a population of thirteen million, and while the South for a time remained rather behind the North in its growth, yet recently it has been coming up well, and the last year shows a healthy increase. Although the president had comparatively little help, yet one hundred and seventeen were baptized, and seven were added by vote, increasing their membership to four hundred and one. The tithe was $4,381, against $4,102 in 1903; and their offerings $954, while for the previous year the offerings were $594. The South German Conference paid two tithes to the German Union this year, and although its income was not equal to its expenses by about eleven dollars, yet it had a small surplus from 1903, so that this deficit was easily covered. Several new churches and companies were added during the year. Very singular is it that these companies and churches were raised up in Bavaria, where we have had the most difficulty in our efforts to carry forward the work. After we had been operating a while in this kingdom, the government stopped our meetings. We have twice appealed to the government to be at least tolerated. In this we have both times been refused. In Nurnberg we have a church of about forty members, and each one who attended the Lord's supper was13fined twelve dollars. I visited one of the higher officials. He excused himself on account of the law. He said that we had liberty, for there was a statute passed in 1803 granting religious liberty; but at the same time it states that no religion can be introduced without the consent of the king. As the king has twice refused to grant us this right, we must still suffer the consequences. But while the government may try to restrain, yet God's Spirit is not bound by earthly powers and governments. It is this very part of the South German Conference that has made the greatest advancement the past year, and we had quite a good representation from that kingdom at the meeting. The church at Ulm, a city of fifty thousand, has also shown a good increase. We were glad to see so many men at the meeting,—men who have lately embraced the message. Twelve were baptized at the conference. The delegates and the brethren throughout the field have shown a real interest in the financial support of the cause, as they have given liberal Sabbath-school and First-day offerings, and have heartily supported the suggestion to take up a special collection for the Washington fund. Brother Weber was unanimously chosen president for another year, and he will have one ordained minister to help him. Brother Erzenberger is also expecting to settle in this conference, and although he is in the employ of the Union, yet he will help the South German field as much as possible. The conference has three licentiates and five Bible workers to begin the new year. The canvassing work has shown more growth in the South German Conference than in any other field of the Union, the sales advancing from seven thousand dollars to twelve thousand dollars. One brother sold eight hundred and sixty-five copies of “Great Controversy” in 1904. There was perfect union in the deliberations of the business sessions. A good spirit prevailed. The work as a whole has shown greater evidences of prosperity than during any previous year. Friedensau, Jan. 31, 1905.