THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS OF EUROPE.
By Editor
The readers of the REVIEW have some knowledge of the fact that there are in Europe some fifty Sabbath-keepers who are also waiting for the revelation of the Son of God in the clouds of heaven. These are principally found in the Cantons of Switzerland, though a few reside elsewhere. We have reason to believe that these brethren and sisters are persons of real piety and moral worth. They are manifestly people of intelligence, who are able to give the reasons for their faith and hope. We cannot take any credit to ourselves for being instrumental in raising up this company of commandment-keepers. Eld. M. B. Czechowski, a Seventh-day Adventist minister, a native of Poland in Europe, and formerly a Roman Catholic priest, went to Europe several years since, under the auspices of the various bodies of first-day Adventists. His sympathy was somewhat withdrawn from the S. D. Advent people in consequence of some unfortunate circumstances which arose some little time before his departure to Europe. The most of the trouble was caused by mutual misunderstanding. We have no severe censure to place on Eld. C., nor do we wholly exonerate ourselves from blame. We should have taken greater pains to explain things that were misunderstood by him, and should have had greater interest in this noble-hearted man. Yet we were not wholly without reason for being perplexed at his course of action, and for finally leaving him to do whatever he pleased, without attempting to influence him. Eld. M. B. C. felt deeply for Europe. We do not doubt that the Spirit of God was impressing his mind. But as he found that we were not ready to send him to the Old World so soon as he thought it duty to go (for we thought the time had not come for him to do this), he sought aid from the first-day Adventists. This was extended to him by them, and by their aid he went to Europe. In sympathy, he was with them; in doctrine, he was mainly with the Seventh-day Adventists. But we supposed that he had given up the observance of the seventh day. It was, therefore, much to our surprise that we learned, some two or three years since, that Eld. C. was not only adhering to the Sabbath himself, but that he had raised up a body of Sabbath-keepers in Switzerland. About two years ago these brethren opened communication with us by letter. The last spring we invited Bro. Albert Vuilleumier, elder of the church, to attend our General Conference, pledging ourselves to meet the expense. As he could not come, the Swiss brethren made choice of Bro. James Ertzenberger to come in his stead. He arrived at Battle Creek June 15. He was able to converse fluently in German and in French, but wholly unable to speak English. We have become very deeply interested in this dear brother. He has given the best of evidence that he is a man of God. He has attended all our camp-meetings west of the State of New York, and thus many have had an opportunity to form some acquaintance with him. We are certain that he will ever be held in affectionate remembrance by all who have become acquainted with him. He has made great progress in learning the English language. It seemed very necessary that he should remain in this country long enough for this, that he might prepare himself to translate our works into German and French. We regard the circumstances of this case as a wonderful call to us from the Providence of God to send the present truth to Europe. We cannot refrain from acknowledging our backwardness in this work. But it is in our power to redeem the past, by discharging our duty for time to come. We learn that the office of publication established by Eld. M. B. C., in Switzerland, or, more properly speaking, the building which he erected on a lot of land purchased by him near Lake Neuchatel, is mortgaged for nearly all it is worth. This must be paid up, or the property will pass into the hands of worldly men, the first of next January. Eld. C., from financial embarrassment, has suspended the publication of his paper, and is in Hungary. His family are still occupying a part of this building. We think this property, which serves as printing office, chapel, and dwelling-house for Eld. C.'s family, should not be lost. We have had no hand in raising the means which purchased it; but as it is mortgaged for very nearly its full value, and is, we suppose, certain to be lost if we do not redeem it, we think we may, under these circumstances, honorably take hold of the matter. We do not wish to take what does not belong to us; but if we can clear this office from debt, so that the Swiss brethren can own it themselves, it seems very important to do so. As it will cost very nearly its full value to do it, we do not see that others can complain of us in so doing, especially as they do not see fit to engage in this redemption themselves. Here, then, is the need of some $1500 or $2000 in gold. And we have one other matter of this kind to set before our people. Bro. A. Vuilleumier, and his brother Edward, are watchmakers of high repute for the excellence of their work. In consequence of the recent failure of a bank in England, they have met with such heavy losses as to involve all their property, and that of some other of the Swiss brethren who were bondsmen for them. In this time of pecuniary distress, they ask us to aid them in the following manner. They do not wish anything as a donation. But they ask us to advance them means, and let them have time to pay in their excellent watches. We think they should have help. Those who are willing thus to aid these worthy brethren, may send means to this Office, and we will take care to forward the same, and also to have the watches sent to this Office. We are happy to present, in the Conference Department, a brief communication from Bro. Ertzenberger. It will be seen that he has made much progress in learning our language. We hope that Bro. E. may speak to us often through the REVIEW.