Progress of the Work in the German Union Conference
By L. R. Conradi
L. R. CONRADI
If we consider the results of the work performed in the German Union Conference last year, and until the first of July this year, we have every reason to thank God for his rich blessing, and for the progress he has given the cause, in spite of our imperfections and the many difficulties we have had to encounter.
New Organizations
Various changes have been made in the reorganization of Russia. Heretofore, this great empire has been divided not according to geographical or political divisions, but rather in harmony with the languages spoken there. Last year the three fields which formerly existed in Russia were rearranged, and two new fields were added—the South Russian Mission and the Russian-Asiatic District. Further, the German Union District, which might almost be compared to a conference, was also organized; so there were really three new organizations effected during the last year. The East and West German Conferences have each reached that stage where they could be profitably divided, and steps have already been taken looking toward such a division for the East German field, beginning with Jan. 1, 1907.
At the close of 1905 we had just seven thousand members in the German Union; this has now reached 7,604, showing a net gain of 604; there were 954 baptized, and 175 were received by vote during this half year. This growth has been chiefly in the northern and middle part of the German empire. During the last eighteen months Russia’s growth has been but one hundred. The chief reason for this is, that before we had such liberty in that land, quite a large number were received into church-membership who were not fully convinced with reference to the payment of the tithe, and in regard to some other principles that we as a people hold, so that in reorganizing the Russian field, about four hundred had to be stricken off our list. We thought it wiser to take this step than in any way to allow the principles of the message to be lightly regarded by our brethren.
There is also another point to be reckoned with: a number of our people have left the Balkans and other fields, for North and South America, where they will still, we believe, hold aloft the standard of truth. Again, through the removal of the Basel institution to Gland, about forty-three members were transferred from the German to the Latin Union. We believe we are warranted in saving that at least one hundred brethren have gone to other fields, during the last year and a half, and they, with a number who have been taken from us by14death, will make the loss to the cause smaller than one would at first think.
Finances
One can best appreciate the growth of the work if he looks at the development of our finances. Our tithe for 1903 was $35,640; for the first six months of 1906 it has been $41,335, or nearly $5,000 more than for the whole of 1903; and if we look at the gifts, we see that they also have increased: in 1903 the Sabbath-school donations were $3,007; for the first six months of this year they have been $2,884, or within $123 of the whole twelve months three years ago; the First-day offerings for 1904 were $1,525, and for the first half of 1906 they have been $1,797, $272 more than for the whole of 1903; and almost as great an increase is noticeable in the week-of-prayer donations.
Death of Brother Wunderlich
It is with great sadness that we must refer to the first offering we have been called upon to make for the German East African Mission, in the death of our beloved Brother Wunderlich, who is now awaiting the first resurrection in our Friedensau graveyard. O that the neat little tombstone may ever remind our students of the spirit that it takes to build up missions and spread the gospel for this time! Aside from this, we can say that the Lord has wonderfully protected our laborers, especially in the troublous times they have had in Russia.
Scarcity of Laborers
Our greatest need to-day is a number of devoted workers, who will enter the vineyard of the Lord, and give to him all their powers, going forward in the unity of the Spirit, and pressing the battle into the enemy’s land. In this respect we feel grateful for the blessing God has made our mission school here, for we have from year to year received a number of workers who have been able to do good service.
Visits in the Field
It has been possible for the president to visit every field in the union, during the past year, with the exception of German East Africa. There were twelve annual meetings, which, with the union meeting, occupied fourteen weeks. Aside from this I spent several Sabbaths in the German Union District, and also was able to be with the brethren in Austria-Hungary and in the Balkans. I can say that these various gatherings were the best we have ever had; and where there had been good preparatory work done in suitable halls, a further interest was developed through the winter gatherings.
Attendance at the Union Conferences
That which is the stronger proof that our people are anxious to become better acquainted with the Word is the large attendance at the summer union conferences, and this present meeting is doubtless the largest we have ever held in the field.
Institutions
As to our institutions, we can look back upon the past year as the best in their history. The Hamburg Publishing House is our oldest institution; it has been better equipped through the purchase of a new press, and the introduction of electric lights and steam heating. Although our illustrated books are published in Leipsic, still on account of the increasing circulation of our papers (we have a monthly output of over one hundred thousand copies), there is now a great lack of room. We feel especially thankful to the Lord that the German Little Friend and Herald of Truth have increased their circulation so well; the Russian paper also, which was begun in 1905, has already seven hundred subscribers.
The Friedensau School
The school has been so rapidly filled that we have recently found it necessary to convert all the open spaces left in the construction of the buildings into rooms, so that now one hundred and fifty students can be accommodated. It gives us much joy to be able to say that, through the Lord’s help, the school building and equipment is to-day free from debt.
Our Sanitarium
The sanitarium has also made progress; it has been full this and the previous season. During the year we have been able to enlarge the kitchen, and provide necessary office room, but we still ought to see to it that the patients have a better parlor, for our reception parlor is not much larger than you would find in any common dwelling—smaller than the average city physician would have for his practise. Until we have this, we can not call the institution complete. We have also been able to erect another building for our employees, and to provide better office rooms for our growing business. The laundry and power-house has been completed. These improvements have considerably increased the indebtedness of the institution, but we are glad that through the gift of that excellent book, “Ministry of Healing,” which will soon come from the press, the sanitarium may be financially assisted, just as the school was helped through the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The net earnings of the institution were the best last year they ever were.
Old People’s Home
Another important matter which this meeting will necessarily have to decide, is the erection of an old people’s home. We are glad that about two thousand dollars has been placed at our disposal by German Switzerland for this purpose, aside from large private donations. We hope that the erection of such a home may be assured ere we leave these grounds.
Ship Mission
We have taken an advance step in this mission, as we have secured another mission boat, which will be used in the harbor at Rotterdam. Thus we can to-day serve the thousands of seamen who visit the harbors of Hamburg and Rotterdam, and awaken among many an interest in the message.
Difficulties
We are very thankful that during the year we were able to hold our meetings in Russia, right in the midst of the insurrections, strikes, and revolutions, more freely than ever before, having both the Germans and the Russians in attendance. Our address of thanks presented to his majesty the czar was favorably received, and we enjoy greater liberty than heretofore.
Conditions in Germany
In various parts of Germany, especially in some of the smaller States, we do not yet enjoy the liberties that we wish we might. In certain places, we dare not hold public lectures for the purpose of presenting the truth. In consequence of our ever-increasing activity, they seek more and more to hinder us in our operations; but in spite of this, the work advances, and we can in truth say that, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
We are glad that the work in Austria-Hungary and the Balkan States continues to make advance, although there is much to be wished as to the freedom allowed us in some of the districts there. We are also happy that we have one worker in Asiatic Russia, in Omsk, Siberia, and we hope that in the near future we shall have other believers there. We have already some scattered Sabbath-keepers in Siberia.
Military Service
Many of our young men who have been called into the army have shown themselves true members of the body of Christ, although they have had a great many difficulties to contend with.
Missionary Work
There should be greater earnestness manifested by our brethren in the circulation of our publications. We should procure additional means through the gifts and legacies of our brethren, for the institutions already established, and for the erection of the proposed old people’s home. It is also necessary that we here select a man who can connect with our mission in German East Africa. We hope soon to have the pleasure of being able to report that the first converts in that mission have been baptized.
Canvassing Work
We are pleased to state that the canvassing work has continued to make progress; our sales during 1903-04 amounted to $48,550, during 1904-05 to $52,650, during 1905-06 to $55,300, and we have about 230 canvassers who will be engaged in the work the coming year, so we trust there will be a still further advance in this department of the cause.
“Education”
This new book of Sister White’s has been translated, and printed by our Hamburg House. It is to be had here on the grounds. It is a beautiful book, and we recommend it to all our brethren.
May this meeting be led by the Spirit of God, that here the necessary steps may be taken to give the cause of God still greater success in the future, is our earnest prayer.