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In Southern Germany

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 25, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 8.

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In Southern Germany

By Guy Dail

GUY DAIL
The eighth annual meeting of the South German Conference closed this evening (January 3) after a successful four days' session here in Mannheim, on the Neckar and the Rhine. This is a fine city of 176,000 inhabitants, many of whom are engaged in the large spinning factories, or in conducting the trade of this, one of the most important of the inland harbors in the German empire.
Our readers may remember that it is not long since we were granted religious toleration in Bavaria. Our work has become well known. The religious and the political press is now doing all within its power to misrepresent our message, and to prejudice the minds of the people against it. However, two hundred fifty-three were added to our membership in the South German Conference during 1908, increasing its membership, after making up for some inevitable losses, from eight hundred three to ten hundred thirty-seven. Three new companies were received at the meeting—one in Offenbach, one in Pirmasens, and one in Tuebingen. Our brethren here are actively engaged in the service. During the fourth quarter of 1908, the income of the tract societies of our thirty-two churches and companies in this field was over four thousand marks [about one thousand dollars]. They have been putting forth special efforts to circulate our truth-laden literature.
The Spirit of God was also present to impress upon the minds of the three hundred brethren and sisters at the meeting the importance of the foreign work. They gave fifteen hundred marks, and expressed their willingness to give one of their best young men, for the assistance of the Austrian Mission. Ten hundred fifty-nine marks in cash and pledges came in for the new school building in Friedensau. They were also willing to turn over to the West German Conference that part of Hessia which is in the territory of the South German Conference; and so henceforth the South German field will be composed of the kingdoms of Bavaria and Wurtemberg, of the duchies of Baden and Luxemburg, and the provinces of Alsace-Lorraine, with a population of nearly thirteen million.
The thirty-two canvassers present were much encouraged in their work by a personal acquaintance with Brother P. John, the representative of the Hamburg House, who assisted the state agent in every way he could. The book sales for the year amount to 71,584 marks, against 70,316 marks for 1907. The other visiting brethren were: Elders H. F. Schuberth, E. Frauchiger, J. G. Oblander, and Dr. E. Meyer. The health reform was well represented, and the demonstrations as to the value of our health food products were made practical, the prepared foods being passed around during the lecture, that all might sample them.
Brethren Wm. Staubert, K. Kamm, and H. Steiner were ordained to the gospel ministry, Sabbath afternoon. In all, there are six ministers, five licentiates, and eight Bible workers engaged in the service of the South German Conference. Elder J. H. Schilling was chosen president. Four were baptized at the meeting. The outside attendance was fair, the holidays interfering somewhat; there were about two hundred strangers at the evening lectures.
The work for the children and youth took up its share of the time and attention of the delegates. We have not found it possible as yet to organize young people's societies in all parts of Europe; but the children of the Southern German Conference were the first to take a bold step in the right direction by distributing our German Little Friend, which is one of the best children's papers in Germany. Hundreds of marks are annually collected for missionary work in this way. The experiences of the little ones are often exceedingly interesting and encouraging. In this manner, it may be, God will train workers for himself, who will be able to labor when older persons have no longer liberty to do so.
All the brethren of the South German field go back to their homes better prepared for another year's duties than before, and they expressed their joy for the blessings God so richly gave at this conference. Pray for them.
Hamburg.