p. 15 | In Austria-Hungary by Ludwig Richard Conradi

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 31, 1907

In Austria-Hungary

By Ludwig Richard Conradi

L. R. CONRADI

AMONG the different countries belonging to the German Union Conference, the Austria-Hungarian empire is third, with a total population of forty-nine millions, and an area even greater than that of the German empire; it is also the third empire in Europe.

Austria-Hungary is indeed a conglomerate of nations and languages. About twelve millions speak the German; ten millions use the Hungarian; six millions are Bohemians; four and a half millions are Poles and Slavonians; the mother tongue of four millions is the Ruthenian, and of three millions, the Rumanian; there are about two million Servians, and a little less than two million Croatians, and one million Italians.

As to religions, thirty-three and one-half millions are Roman Catholics, seven and one-half millions belong to the various Greek Catholic denominations, over two millions are Jews, six hundred thousand are Mohammedans, while about four and one-half millions are Protestants.

The Lord’s providence first led us to Hungary, which has by far the more liberal government, and contains the larger number of Protestants. For a time the work advanced very slowly—until Elder Huenergardt entered the field, and began to master the Hungarian language, and we secured other help from Germany, and were also able to train several natives. Then steady progress began.

The message first took root in Austria in that noted city of the Reformation—Prague, Bohemia. Since then, our efforts have extended to Moravia, to Vienna, and to Gratz. As the total membership up to the present time in Austria is only seventy, we have not as yet held a general meeting in that country; but on our way to the Hungarian meeting, Brother J. T. Boettcher and the German

Union secretary and the writer spent Sabbath and Sunday at Prague, where most of the workers from the Austrian field had been called together. As Elder Mathe had been invited to take charge of the North German Conference, Brother Wolfgarten had lately been requested to settle in Vienna. It was our privilege to baptize one person at Prague, and to celebrate the ordinances with the church there. Most of the members speak the Bohemian, and our remarks had to be translated into that language.

The Bohemian brethren are happy because they now have a neat monthly paper in their own tongue, and they are doing what they can to increase its circulation. Wherever the Bohemian is understood, this paper, bearing the truths for the last generation, ought to be circulated.

While Brother Boettcher went to visit the company at Reichenberg, near the Silesian border, I went on to Vienna, to hold a Bible study with the believers there.

Our present force of laborers in Austria consists of one licentiate, five Bible workers, and one canvasser. If we think of the twenty-seven millions of people in Austria, we must admit that as yet we have made only a beginning in that field. Although we are hampered by unfavorable laws, yet we are glad that during the year 1906 there were about twenty additions in the Austrian field.

December 6-9 we had our general meeting for Hungary at Budapest, and we were happily surprised to see that, although the people in general are poor, and they were in some cases five hundred miles distant from the place of meeting, yet each church and company was represented among the eighty persons present at the conference. All seemed to take the deepest interest in the Bible studies and in the business sessions. Small as the company was, it was interesting to note that what was spoken in the German was translated into the Hungarian, and in various parts of the room were workers translating from the Hungarian into the Rumanian, or the Slavonian, or the Servian, to the small groups by which they were surrounded.

The reports of the workers showed that they were of good cheer. At the beginning of 1906 there were two hundred and thirty-one members in Hungary, and their report showed nearly one hundred additions for the year, bringing their membership up to about three hundred and twenty-five. They have a working force of two ordained ministers, one licentiate, six Bible workers, and four canvassers, and these workers are able to labor in the German, the Hungarian, the Servian, the Croatian, and the Rumanian,—five of the leading languages in Hungary.

For the meetings during the day, we used our regular meeting place in the city, while for the evening lectures, we were kindly granted permission to use the gymnasium in one of the city schools, free of charge. All considered, this was really remarkable. A few years ago we were scarcely tolerated.

The Hungarian paper (monthly) is steadily increasing its circulation, and the various nationalities represented are pleased to get the Sabbath-school lessons in their respective tongues.

The meetings passed off very harmoniously. Elder Huenergardt was again unanimously chosen director of the field.

An elder and a deacon were ordained for the church at Budapest, which is the capital of Hungary, and has about eight hundred thousand inhabitants. The membership of the church here is thirty-two. The elder of the church is employed by one of the Hungarian lords, and has charge of a number of flats (in all, about eighty dwellings). The brother’s employer had so much respect for him that when he accepted the truth, and could not therefore follow his former occupation, he gave him this work to do instead. Thus God always has ways to provide for his faithful children.

CHAIN BRIDGE ACROSS THE DANUBE AT BUDAPEST, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY

As we look at the Austria-Hungarian empire, and find that within its borders there are now about four hundred members, in spite of the hindrances and the small corps of workers engaged there, we feel grateful to God for what he has accomplished. The membership, number of workers, and native literature are increasing for Austria-Hungary, and a strong work is being developed there.

We feel also sure that much might be done in the States for many of these nationalities, for thousands and thousands are entering the American ports every year from the overcrowded centers of population in Europe. These people enter a new environment; they forget to some extent their former surroundings and associations; they are willing and often glad to accept new ideas. Why should not earnest efforts be made in their behalf, that they may hear the message God has given us? Those who take hold of the message in the States will help to strengthen not only the American field, but also the work in their native lands. We hope and pray that soon still greater efforts may be put forth in behalf of the hundreds of thousands that are streaming into America every year.

Hamburg.