Letter from Switzerland.
By Albert Vuilleumier
IN CHRIST OUR LORD, VERY DEAR BRETHREN WHITE AND ANDREWS: I proposed, a long time since, to send you a short report concerning the Seventh-day Adventists in Switzerland during the year 1869. I do this with more pleasure and with more encouragement because I know how you feel about this work, and that you take a holy joy in all that concerns the proclamation of the third angel’s message and the preparation for the second coming of Jesus Christ. I have learned also of the great interest which is taken in us by the dear brethren who are in America. Their prayers, in union with ours, ascend without ceasing before the throne of grace, that the children of God may come out of Babylon to be strengthened and sealed, that they may be a people well prepared to meet the dear Saviour at his glorious coming. I think that the dear brethren and sisters in Christ will learn with pleasure the news of their brethren in Switzerland. We have had great pleasure in being able to send you, according to your desire, one of our number, in the person of our dear Bro. Ertzenberger. He has told you how much we are rejoiced, and how thankful we are to God because he has enabled us to know the present truth, and also of our strong desire that this truth may spread and grow in Europe. Our hearts are very much encouraged to learn by Bro. Ertzenberger that you work without ceasing for the dissemination of this truth in Europe, and that the dear brethren of America take this great and holy work to heart. Be blessed, very dear brethren in Christ, because you understand Luke 14: 13, 14, so well. Since the departure of our Bro. Ertzenberger, we have no missionary who labors personally in the field of this mission. But every brother and sister, who have received the message, have it in their hearts to proclaim it, according to their ability, in the place in which God has placed them. However, we have reasons to praise God. We could do but little, but it has been abundantly blessed. During this year, fourteen have been baptized. There are still several others who keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and are desiring baptism. Although the proclamation of the third angel’s message was not known in Switzerland before Bro. Czechowski came, we believe that many are now engaged in the study of the prophecies, believing that the end of all things is at hand. Many expect and say, if this work (the mission of the Seventh-day Adventists) is of God, it must go forward. Dear brethren, continue to pray for us, that we may grow in sanctification, that our light may shine, that we may be worthy to bear the light of the truth; and at last that we may enter through the gates into the holy city, to meet with you, where there is no separation, to sing the song of the Lamb. Praise God, we have not had much to suffer, and have had the privilege of meeting for prayer every Sabbath, and to meditate on the holy word. We feel the necessity of living in union with God and doing his holy will. We feel also to pray that God may send faithful laborers into his vineyard. Rom. 10: 11-15. It is with much pleasure that we have learned that perhaps you can send a missionary with Bro. Ertzenberger. You know that a prophet is not honored in his own country, and that the Lord says we must be prudent. Matt. 10: 16. See also 1 Cor. 9: 22. We believe in following the word of God, that we may have his blessing abundantly. We are rejoiced to know that you will keep our Bro. Ertzenberger till the Conference, in May. He has, in this way, opportunity to learn more perfectly the present truth, as well as the English language; so that he may be able to translate with facility your books. We are strengthened in faith by your love for the work of the Lord, and by all that you have done for us. Dear brethren, receive our sincere thanks. May the Lord bless you abundantly, in our prayer. Pray for us. Allow me to refer you to Heb. 13. Your brother in Christ. ALBERT VUILLEUMIER.