A Severe Loss for Our European Educational Work by Louis Richard Conradi

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 29, 1914

A Severe Loss for Our European Educational Work

By Louis Richard Conradi

IN the midst of the turmoil and confusion of war, our educational work in Europe has sustained a most severe loss in the premature death of Prof. Otto Luepke. Elder Luepke was born Aug. 14, 1871, in Magdeburg, where he attended the Lutheran school from 1877-85. From 1885-88 he attended the Royal Preparatory Teachers' Seminary in Quedlinburg, and from 1888-91 the seminary at Osterburg. Having successfully finished his course as teacher, he was at once called to instruct in the preparatory seminary at Quedlinburg, and until October, 1897, he taught in high schools for boys and girls. Having meanwhile heard of the truth, he, with his mother, embraced it. He resigned his position, and began to work in Hamburg. Later he held a course of lectures in Kiel and Flensburg. In 1899 he went to Berlin, and in November of the same year took charge of our mission school at Friedensau.

For nearly fifteen years he was in charge of our leading school in Europe, and through God's blessings, that school developed from very modest beginnings, until last year there were over two hundred students in attendance from all parts of the Continent. Professor Luepke had rare gifts for teaching. He took a deep interest in the spiritual welfare of his students, inspired them for mission work, and was also talented in music. Besides his regular school work, he did considerable literary work, editing our Sabbath school Quarterlies, and our German educational paper, writing for our other journals, and also did valuable work on our German hymn book. As he attended our General Conference in Washington in 1909, many of our brethren in America will remember him. Surely all those who ever visited Friedensau will deeply sympathize with us in our loss. Professor Luepke leaves an aged mother, a faithful companion, and three children, to mourn their loss.

For several years he was ailing, and fears were entertained that he was suffering from that dreadful disease, consumption. He spent a number of months in the Harz Mountains, and seemed somewhat better, but failed in health again this spring, and went to Meran, in the Tyrol mountains. Only his dear companion was with him at the time of his death, August 13. On account of the outbreak of the war we did not even hear of his death until several days later. But it can be truly said of him: "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."

L. R. CONRADI.