The German-Swiss Conference by L. R. Conradi

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 16, 1909

The German-Swiss Conference

By L. R. Conradi

L. R. CONRADI

At Uster, about twelve miles from Zurich — the old home of Zwingle — the German-Swiss Conference had its session from July 14 to 18. When Elder O. A. Olsen and myself arrived on the fourteenth, we found above the town a village composed of about thirty neat dwelling-tents, the preaching tent (which would seat about five hundred persons), and the dining-tent.

At the first business meeting all the churches were well represented, and on the Sabbath there were three hundred of our people on the grounds,—the best attendance we ever had. The German-Swiss Conference had a prosperous year. From July, 1908, to July, 1909, they had nearly one hundred additions to the church, bringing up their membership to five hundred eighteen.

Before the meeting, they had a short institute for the canvassers, who have had quite good success in securing subscriptions for our periodicals and in selling our smaller publications.

The evening services were well attended by the people from the town and the surrounding country, and on Sunday the camp was crowded. The business of the conference went forward very harmoniously. Elder J. G. Oblander was re-elected president of the conference.

While strong churches are developing in Zurich and in Basel, we are glad that of late there has been also quite a growth in Bern, the capital of Switzerland.

As suitable tents for the climate of

Switzerland are quite expensive, and the brethren had to pay about fifteen hundred dollars for the new tent they had purchased, and as only two hundred dollars had thus far been collected toward the payment of the bill, we extended an urgent call at this meeting for funds to apply on the payment of their tent, and in a short time five hundred dollars in cash and pledges was given toward the enterprise. Also, when we set before the people the needs of our missions on the Sabbath, their Sabbath-school offerings amounted to over fifty dollars; and on Sunday they gave twenty-two dollars more toward the work in “the regions beyond.” Several persons also promised larger amounts for the mission field.

Although at first the work in German-Switzerland moved rather slowly, and they had quite a good deal of difficulty to secure brethren who would be pillars in the church, yet of late a change has come in this respect. Quite a number of young people have also taken their stand. At the time of this meeting an educated lady, a state teacher, who had been formerly impressed with the truth, decided fully to cast her lot with us.

There is much work yet to be done, especially in the Catholic cantons, as well as in the other parts of German-Switzerland. The prospects are bright for the future of the work, and we are sure that among the two millions of this conference there will yet be many witnesses raised up for the precious truths of this message.

Hamburg.