The German Advent Message by Editor

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 29, 1910

The German Advent Message

By Editor

Editorial

“For who hath despised the day of small things?” Zech. 4:10. Not those, certainly, who have understandingly observed and studied the development of the cause of God.

Now we are thankful for the part that the German tongue is acting in the spread of the advent message. Next to the English, it is the tongue most widely diffused commercially over the world, and in it is now printed also, next to the English, the largest volume of our literature. It was amid many difficulties, however, that the beginning was made.

IN the REVIEW of April 24, 1856, Jesse Dorcas, of Ohio, called for a German tract on the Sabbath; and in an editorial note Elder U. Smith quoted the words of Rev. 10:11, “Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues,” adding, “Is it not high time we were about this work?” In the paper of May 8, Elder R. F. Cottrell, of western New York, reported some Germans in his vicinity, and said:—

O that some German who understands English and is capable of teaching, would embrace the truth and teach it to others!

THE next month it was announced that the General Conference had appointed a committee to arrange for the preparation of a pamphlet to be translated into German, and later into Norwegian, as the way opened. In November a last-page call was made, “German Tract-Translator Wanted.” The tract was J. H. Waggoner’s “Nature and Obligation of the Fourth Commandment.” Long they waited for the translator; then, eleven months later, it was announced that the editor of a Jewish paper in Cincinnati had been secured to translate and make plates. Money was called for to meet the cost, as there was “nothing in the treasury.” “Remember the German people,” Elder James White wrote, “and help us send the truth to them.”

FINALLY, Jan. 28, 1858, the first German pamphlet was ready for circulation. But, on May 6, came the cruel word that it had been discovered that the translation was so unsatisfactory that the pamphlet was “not fit to circulate.” Brother J. Clarke, of Ohio, assisted by two Germans, had made corrections, however; the Review Office had ordered its own German type; and it was announced:—

Brother Amadon has set the type for two of our works in French, and he can learn, with a few lessons and a little study, to set German type. . . . Our misfortune in the German translation should not discourage any, but should stir all friends of truth to lend a helping hand as we now start upon a plan to publish present truth in other languages.

And it was stated, “In the ranks of Sabbath-keepers are those who speak German, French, Norwegian, Swedish, and Dutch.”

A CONFERENCE held just at this time, May 21, 1858, appointed J. White, U. Smith, and C. Smith a committee to look after “the publication of works in other languages.” And in the REVIEW of June 16, 1859, at last appeared the cheering announcement, “The German tract is now ready.” Truly, great changes have come in our German publishing work since that day of small things. That first seedling has grown into a great tree.