Central European Union by L. R. Conradi

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1916

Central European Union

By L. R. Conradi

L. R. CONRADI

This union comprises the very heart of Europe — German Switzerland, southern Germany, and Austria, except Galicia, and has a population of about forty million.

During the month of January the writer attended four local conference meetings in this union, the last one being connected with the union committee council and audit.

All the meetings were splendidly attended. Harmony and a good spirit prevailed throughout, and every one felt encouraged to go forth, in the strength of the Lord, to achieve greater things for him.

Our first meeting was held in Basel, where twenty-six churches were represented by eighty delegates. Four new churches were received into the conference. Seventy-five persons were received into church fellowship last year. The membership at the end of the year was 783. Twenty-two canvassers and six other gospel workers were employed during 1915, with good results.

The South German Conference held its meeting in Karlsruhe, where twenty churches were represented by seventy-three delegates. During the past year 127 members have been received into church fellowship, increasing the total enrolment of the field to 810.

Most excellent growth and increase in members and finances were also seen in the Württemberg Conference. Our hall at Stuttgart was filled to overflowing. Ninety-four were received into church fellowship last year, increasing the membership to 727.

The fifth meeting of the Bavarian Conference was held in Nuremberg. The large hall we had was filled to overflowing. Ninety-six delegates were present. This conference showed the best gain, 185, increasing the membership to 894. In Nuremberg proper are two churches, with 260 members. Near by there is a church of forty-four members. At Munich there are two churches, with 243 members.

The union report showed a good growth also for our work in Austria. Not fewer than 238 members were received in the five Austrian fields last year, increasing the total membership to 1,200. They also had a good financial showing. At the present rate of growth it will not be long until Austria will develop into a strong field of its own.

Great difficulties were encountered in the work during the year. Our meetings were stopped and interfered with, our workers were unable to travel, and our canvassers were brought into all sorts of trouble that hindered them in their work. Yet, in spite of all this, the work of God is onward.

The union as a whole received 723 new members, increasing its membership to 4,414. Its tithe amounted to more than $53,000. It turned over to the division conference $13,000 in offerings, and in second and surplus tithe more than $15,000.

This union now stands third in the European Division, both in membership and in means. In a short time it has become a strong factor in our work. The presidents of the four conferences remained the same as formerly. Brother J. Erzberger is doing what he can in his home conference in Switzerland. He has been troubled considerably with his eyesight. Some of the fields have very few workers, and some are without even a director; hence the union president has to look after several mission fields as well as a local conference of which he is president.

The prospects were never brighter for this union than they are at the present time.