In Bohemia by Guy Dail

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 14, 1912

In Bohemia

By Guy Dail

GUY DAIL

The first annual session of the Bohemian Mission field has just been held here in Reichenberg, September 5-9. Of the one hundred forty-three members in this field (organized Jan. 1, 1912) about one hundred were able to attend. Brethren J. G. Oblaender, O. E. Reinke, and J. Wolfgarten assisted the six local workers in the meetings, none of which was of a public character.

From the very beginning there was a good spirit, and we have attended no conference where greater liberality was shown for the cause of missions. Friday afternoon fifty persons were at the last business meeting, and after having listened to the appeal for the many millions in our great mission fields, 1,503 crowns (about $300) was raised in cash and pledges for the Ten-cent-a-week Fund. On Sabbath evening, when more were present, 201 crowns was raised, making 1,704 crowns in all. There were no large gifts, but the brethren gave as God's Spirit moved upon their hearts, without any urging on our part.

Were we to speak of the difficulties, which are many, it would not remove any of them, so we prefer rather to mention the courage shown by the brethren. One man, for example, who received the message by reading, has been so blessed of God that he has been successful in getting about twelve persons into the truth. I was much pleased to see this simple, whole-hearted brother, whose hands showed him to be a hard-working man. Would that we had more men of such faith and missionary zeal.

Sabbath afternoon Brother A. Bereck was ordained to the gospel ministry, and one local church elder was set apart to his special office at the same time. The season was followed by a praise service, one of the best I ever attended.

Brother Posch, who had just arrived in this field from Germany to lead out in the canvassing work, daily instructed about a dozen colporteurs and such others as were interested. We have some bright, promising young people who are giving their time to the circulation of our literature, in the face of very great obstacles, and they are having success.

The greatest need of this country of Huss and Jerome is workers,—more workers, who can go forth in the spirit and power of the message and successfully present the truth to the seven million inhabitants of this land. One young man, whose mother tongue is Bohemian, will go to our Friedensau School, which has already trained several promising young people for the work here.

The political situation in Austria is ever becoming more acute. It is now time for us to be up and doing. Many honest-hearted men and women will be won to follow the Bohemian Reformers, who loved not their lives unto death, and these souls will prove burden-bearers in finishing the work of God in this land. We sincerely request for Brother F. Gruber, the reelected superintendent of this mission, and for his fellow workers and our brethren and sisters in Bohemia, an interest in the prayers of our people everywhere.