The German Work in the East by G. F. Haffner

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1911

The German Work in the East

By G. F. Haffner

IT was my privilege to spend a month in the Eastern cities, and visit our German churches. We are glad to report that we have German churches in Pittsburg, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Jersey City, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. We also have nearly enough material to organize a church in Boston, Mass., where Brother Pankoke is laboring.

The prospect for the future is good. There will be three tent efforts for the Germans this summer. The members of the churches are helping in these meetings by inviting the people and scattering reading-matter. We have some faithful members in these churches, and quite a number are spending much of their time in the work. Most of these members are sisters whose husbands are not in the truth, and in some cases are opposed to it; yet they are doing more in many respects than our churches in the West, where the members of families usually stand together. Their tithe is also greater per member than is the case in most of our churches in the West. I know of only one church in the West where a greater tithe is paid. The members have also more church expense in these large cities than have those in country places. The missionary spirit is certainly manifest among them. It is the East where the greatest work is yet to be accomplished. Here most of the German people live, and here but little has been done. We need more workers; for there are millions of Germans here who have not heard the truth.

We are glad that a beginning has been made, and that more is being done at present than has been done in the past; still much more should be done if these millions are to be warned. Let us concentrate our forces upon these large cities in the East, and give the message to them as soon as possible. The workers are of good courage, and aim to press the battle to the gates. Pray for them and the great work for the foreigners in these large cities. G. F. HAFFNER.