FRIEDENSAU was the name chosen by the brethren and indorsed by the German government for the farm on which the school is located. The name in English means “peaceful meadow,” and is very appropriate, as the place, though not far from the din and bustle of large cities, is as quiet and retired as one could wish. The farm “Friedensau” is located sixteen miles from Magdeburg and eight miles from Burg. It contains ninety acres in two pieces. The fifty acres upon which the buildings are, is pleasantly located, being surrounded with woods. A brook winds its course through the fields, and supplies power to run a small flour mill, food factory, and pumping apparatus.
FARM BUILDINGS AND FOOD FACTORY AT FRIEDENSAU
When the farm was purchased about four years ago, the buildings on it consisted of a comfortable dwelling, all the necessary barns and outbuildings, besides a small gristmill.
The purchase of “Friedensau,” and the starting of a missionary training school, was no small undertaking for the German Conference, since enlarged into the German Union Conference. The demand was so imperative for a suitable place where young people could be trained as missionaries for their vast mission fields, that the Conference felt impelled to make a beginning. The funds of the Conference were so small that it was impossible to erect suitable school buildings. So in order that the work should not be delayed, temporary buildings were improvised, and the school work begun. God’s blessing has attended this work of faith and devotion from the start, and good results have followed. Already about twenty-five workers have entered the field from this school.
During the last two years a good sanitarium and food factory have been built, equipped, and manned with a good corps of efficient workers. They have now nearly completed a much-needed building containing tenements for the physician of the sanitarium, principal of the school, manager, and others. The farm has been greatly improved by the planting of orchards, and small fruits, and in other ways.
We are glad to note that outside of a part of the purchase price, and some money borrowed for the erection and equipment of the buildings, no debt has been incurred. An examination of the accounts shows that the enterprise has been carefully managed from the beginning. The business has been conducted on the cash basis, paying for everything as they go. With the exception of a little help rendered by the Conference in the way of paying the salary of some of the workers, the enterprise has been self-supporting from the first. This result could not have been attained without the special blessing of God and the hearty co-operation of both the management and workers. I am sure you would all enjoy a visit to the school, and would be pleased with the spirit of earnestness and devotion manifested by all connected with it.
Friedensau Industrial School is indeed a genuine training school for missionaries. There are at present forty-four students in attendance,—twenty-nine Germans, seven Russians, three Hollanders, one Dane, one Macedonian, one Rumanian, and two Hungarians. All are preparing to engage in missionary work. They are a fine, earnest company of young people. All seem anxious to begin work as soon as they can get the proper training.
Notwithstanding the fact that these students have poor accommodations, they seem to be cheerful and contented. They are willing to put up with almost any inconvenience for the sake of securing a training for the Master’s service.
Those in charge of the work feel that the time has come when something must be done to provide more room and better accommodations for this growing school. Plans are being laid for the establishment of a small printing office in connection with the school, where some of our literature can be printed in different languages. The temporary building now used for class rooms will answer very well for this purpose, and the present dormitories will make the much-needed workshops. Drawings have been prepared and estimates submitted for a building large enough to board and lodge about fifty students. For the present, part of the building can be used for recitation rooms.
STUDENTS AND SCHOOL BUILDING AT FRIEDENSAU
The plans are so drawn as to permit of enlarging the building at any future time. This building should be completed in time for next year’s school. The estimated cost is about ten thousand dollars. Now the question is, How can this money be secured without crippling some other branch of the work? We answer, Through the sale of the German edition of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” We are sure that our brethren in America are so deeply interested in Friedensau Industrial School that they will take hold earnestly and sell at least ten thousand books, and turn the money over to pay for this building. In the meantime, our German Union Conference will undertake to sell ten thousand more in Europe, the proceeds of which will also be used for school purposes. If all interested ones will in faith enter earnestly upon the work of selling these books, I see no reason why money cannot be brought in fast enough to have the building completed this summer. Who dares to say that it cannot be done? I trust that hundreds, yea, thousands, will say, By the help of the Lord it can and must be done; and then go to work with all their might to do it.
