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In Northern Germany

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Feb 18, 1909

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 86, No. 7.

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In Northern Germany

By Guy Dail

GUY DAIL
THE third annual session of the North German Conference was held in Hannover, January 7-11. About one hundred seventy-five brethren and sisters were present, and as many strangers were at the evening lectures. Elders J. H. Schilling and E. E. Frauchiger assisted Elder H. F. Schuberth and the local workers in the business meetings, and in breaking the bread of life. Dr. Emma Behn, of Friedensau, with the head lady nurse, was also present. This is the best conference the North German field has held. The Spirit of God visited the people. Two were ordained to the ministry, Brethren W. Schwenecke and W. Hegmann.
During 1908 the membership increased from 490 to 579; 136 were added by baptism and vote. The audit shows a small surplus for the year, after the four ministers, the four licentiates, and the four Bible workers were paid, besides the payment rendered four others for a part of the time. There are thirty canvassers in the field. Their sales for 1908 amount to 27,844 marks. One thousand marks was voted to the work in Austria; and 773 marks was raised for the Friedensau School. [A mark is about twenty-five cents.] Fifty copies of “Ministry of Healing” were sold at the conference.
The resolutions passed were similar to those of the South and Rhenish conferences, with one exception: here a recommendation was considered with reference to the manner in which recently converted members should be treated: they are not to be left alone, but are to be dealt with in love and brotherly kindness, and to be further instructed in the way of life. It so often happens that the officers and members of the church forget this important work, and doubtless this is one reason why many fall away from the truth soon after embracing it.
In one small land in the territory of the North German Conference, it is unlawful to bring the Bible into any meeting we wish to hold, or to teach the Scriptures; that is, unless the message preached be that of the established state Protestant church. But our workers are able to assemble with the people, and present the truth to them in the lecture hall; for they may appear before an audience, provided the Bible is not used. So they learn the Scripture texts to which they wish to refer, and call the attention of the hearers to these without having the Bible in the assembly hall. It is wonderful that although men have done so much to keep the people in ignorance of the Scriptures, still God has so overruled that the careful and judicious laborer may always find a way of access to the hearts of those who are searching for the light.
THE OPENED GRAVE, HANNOVER, GERMANY
THE OPENED GRAVE, HANNOVER, GERMANY
Brother L. Mathe was again chosen president of the North German Conference. The territory of this field consists of the provinces of Hannover (except the southern part), of Oldenburg, Mecklenburg, Bremen, Luebeck, and of Schleswig-Holstein (except Altona-Wandsbeck), and has a population of over five million.
We were much interested in visiting the “opened grave,” which is to be seen in one of the Hannover churchyards. The unbeliever who lies resting here decreed that no one should ever open his grave, and the stones were bound together with iron bands. Yet somehow the power of God as manifested in a thriving seed, which developed into a strong tree, has sprung asunder the iron bands and the twelve heavy stones encasing the sepulcher, showing how little value may be attached to the words of him who would oppose the Word of God, which declares that all graves shall be opened; and even in this present world, the unbeliever’s folly is revealed to every passer-by. It is just as vain to oppose the living, vital truth of the third angel’s message: it, too, is of God; and he will see that those who have hidden the truth in honest hearts will soon unite with every genuine follower of the Master around the great white throne. It is the joy of this hope that enables the brethren of the North German Conference to go out with renewed courage to carry the banner into the heart of the enemies’ ranks as never before. They wish the prayers of all God’s people.
Hamburg.