p. 12 | The East German Conference by Ludwig Richard Conradi

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 27, 1905

The East German Conference

By Ludwig Richard Conradi

L. R. CONRADI

The East German Conference had its annual meeting in the capital of the German empire, Berlin, a city which, with its suburbs, contains about three million people. Until last November there were in this great city five distinct churches, with a combined membership of two hundred and fifty. It was very hard to secure suitable meeting halls, and the brethren were paying about one thousand dollars for rent, heating, and lighting in the local meeting places they were occupying. Upon occasions when we desired a general meeting of all the believers in Berlin, it was very difficult indeed to get a place for their proper accommodation. We studied over the problem quite a while. We thought of renting a lot and building a chapel, but this would have involved a large outlay of means. We finally found, right in the center of the city, a building which had been erected for a synagogue, and rented to a Jewish congregation; as their contract had expired, and they wanted the owner to cut down the rent, the owner was pleased to have us take the place for one thousand dollars per annum. He was willing to partially fix up the chapel for us, but on our part we bargained to put in the seats, a baptistery, and make some other minor changes, involving an expense of seven hundred dollars. This money was raised among the members and by donations. The building seats nearly five hundred. At the time of this meeting, all these churches were united into one church, which now numbers about three hundred. These, with the delegates from the East German churches, and the outside attendance, filled the chapel to overflowing each evening.

The East German Conference has shown an excellent growth during the past year. They were able to baptize two hundred and nine members, and receive seventeen by vote, making their present membership nine hundred and ninety-eight. Their tithe has also materially increased. In 1903 it was $8,165, while for 1904 it was $8,714. The offerings in 1904 were $2,151; 1903 they were $1,608. The net increase is much larger than would at first appear, as the Prussian Conference was not formed until the third quarter of 1903, and thus its tithe was counted in with the tithe of the East German Conference. New churches and companies in Silesia, Pomerania,

Posen, and Saxony were received into the conference at this meeting.

Brother E. Enseleit was ordained to the ministry, so that there are now five ministers in the East German Conference. Each of these ministers has been placed in charge of a province. This enables the president, who is located at Berlin, to devote more time to lectures during the winter months. Brethren Schuberth and Boettcher assisted us in these meetings. The interest created by these lectures will be followed up. The canvassing work showed a good increase in this field, especially in the provinces of Silesia and Posen.

The conference could audit all the accounts of its laborers for the past year, and pay two tithes to the German Union, and still have a surplus with which to begin the new year. They will therefore be able to increase their corps of workers, which they intend to do as soon as the proper persons can be found.

The East German field has the largest population of any of the German Conferences. It surely seems to be a promising part of the Lord’s vineyard. On Sabbath twelve were baptized in the baptismal font, and still others offered themselves, and will go forward in this rite later on. Elder Frauchiger was re-elected president for the coming year.

While here, it was necessary for me to call upon a leading official in the government with reference to some of our books; for we have again had difficulty in various parts of the empire, where the sale of our paper and some of our books has been prohibited to the canvassers. The laws of Germany are exceedingly strict; and if any one complains against a book or paper in any part of the German empire, as being obnoxious, this complaint is recorded; and if no one appears in defense of the paper or book in question before a certain time, the complaint is forwarded to headquarters, where are prepared the lists of such publications as are excluded from the colporteur. These lists are sent to every part of the country. Our canvassing work is a very important factor of the third angel’s message in Germany, and our canvassers have to be very careful as to how they perform their work, so that they may give no just reason for any one to object to them or to the periodicals or books they are circulating.

In all the deliberations of the East German Conference the greatest harmony and union prevailed, and our people were much encouraged, and returned to their homes with the determination to press forward in the work of God.