p. 17 | Germany by J. H. Schilling

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 23, 1906

Germany

By J. H. Schilling

BRESLAU.—It is indeed remarkable how the Lord is blessing his work in every part of this great harvest-field,—the world,—and the rapid progress it is making is the greatest evidence we have that it is of the Lord. After an effort of two and one-half months, it was our privilege to baptize twenty souls and add twenty-seven new members to this church. Besides this baptismal service in Breslau, I was permitted to baptize a number of souls in Schlesien, so that during the last quarter I have baptized, in all, forty-one souls.

Notwithstanding the fact that the Lord is working here in a marvelous way to advance his work, Satan is also working to his utmost to withstand and hinder its progress. It is an impressive fact that the same spirit of intolerance which ruled the world during the dark ages of Catholicism, is manifesting itself, not only in Protestant Saxony and other

cities and provinces of the German empire, but also in the free evangelical Prussia. The most remarkable of all is that the very ones who years ago were themselves severely persecuted, are to-day the greatest persecutors of God’s people, and the most bigoted and arrogant adversaries of his truth.

During the reign of Frederick the Great, of Prussia, the followers of Huss, who, for a few hundred years previously had been severely persecuted in Bohemia, were driven out of Bohemia by the Austrians, and were taken into protection by Frederick, who gave for the purpose of colonization a part of the province of Schlescia, which the great warrior had just acquired from Maria Theresa, the great queen of Austria.

These people, who have lived in peace and have become rich under the protection of the government of Schlescia, are our greatest persecutors. They have forgotten their past experience, and are now encouraging what they then opposed. Huss, who accepted the Bible, and the Bible only, as his rule of faith, could not be their leader to-day. They laugh at the idea of the Bible’s being the only rule of faith. If the laws of the state would permit, they would do with us as a people as the Catholic Church did with their forefathers hundreds of years ago.

The first baptism administered among these people a year ago had to be performed at midnight, in order to prevent a disturbance. The second baptism I was permitted to perform out in the country, between eleven and twelve o’clock at night, because of the arrogance of the people. The dragon is indeed wroth with the woman, and makes war with the remnant of her seed which keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

Nevertheless, all that Satan can do against the truth will simply work for the truth. If God be for us, who can be against us? Even if the adversary often tries to destroy the influence and spirit of our services by encouraging men to throw stones, sand, etc., at the windows, and pound at the doors, and threaten the minister with a clubbing, the Spirit of God is brought into the service with greater power, and the Lord’s humble servants are caused to seek the Lord more earnestly. We can say to our friends that the truth is becoming more positive every day.

A few weeks ago I visited the extreme southern portion of my field, and if ever my love for the truth was increased, it was then when I witnessed the idolatry practised there in the midst of ignorance and Catholic superstition. The greater part of the population of this section is Polish, hence the worship of the Virgin Mary, in which the people of Poland are especially zealous, is everywhere manifest. Here is a place where the Virgin Mary is supposed to have appeared in a visible form, and hence is called Mt. Pirka. To this place as many as three thousand people in one train, make their pilgrimage to worship the virgin. When I saw this, I asked myself the question, “How long will this ignorant superstition reign?” I furthermore thank the Lord for the truth that I have, and for the privilege of preaching it among these benighted people. Brethren, let us be faithful, and let our light shine that many may see the light and be saved. J. H. SCHILLING.

Martha Str. 13.