German Switzerland by J. T. Boettcher

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 23, 1902

German Switzerland

By J. T. Boettcher

AFTER our union conference in Friedensau, I returned to my field, and found the tents pitched, and the workers on the ground ready to begin the tent meetings in Winterthur. We selected this city because the Lord opened the way for us in a marked manner. It is difficult in these European countries to get permission to hold outdoor meetings. The authorities are afraid of demonstrations, and so prohibit all they possibly can, but the Lord favored us here. The accompanying picture shows the beautiful location of the camp, just within the city limits, but away from its noise and bustle. We had our large tent pitched, and thirteen small ones for the workers and visiting brethren. On the surrounding hills were the great pine forests, and from the top of these hills can be seen the Alps, covered with snow. We felt deeply grateful to God for providing us with such a quiet spot, where, unmolested, we could teach the people the word of God, and know that they would be benefited both spiritually and physically.

Meetings were held every evening and three times on Sunday, and from the first they were well attended. The weather was often not very pleasant, and at times it rained in torrents. One afternoon our large tent was blown down, but nothing was damaged except the center pole, which was broken. The tent meetings were continued six weeks, and then, the weather being too cool, we removed to a hall in the city. October 18 fifteen persons were baptized, and the following Sabbath a church of twenty-five members was organized, twenty of these being new members, and five joining from other churches. The meetings are still continuing with a good interest, and we hope that others will accept the truth.

The enemy of souls has made it very hard for God's people in these countries. Men lose their positions in the factories, and then comes the question of how to support their families of little children. It requires a living faith in God. One young man, a soldier, who refused to serve in the army on the Sabbath, was sentenced to ten weeks' imprisonment. This is what our young men must take into account when they will serve God in this country. Yet they trust in him who doeth all things well. The trial of this young man before the military court was published in a great many papers all through Switzerland, and thus the truth was proclaimed by its enemies.

During the past year about eighty members have been added to this conference, and we hope by New Year's, with the help of the Lord, to have the number raised to one hundred.

Elder J. Erzenberger has labored in the canton of Bern with good success. In the city of Bern, a church of twenty-two has been organized, and the prospects are that others will unite with them.

It is hard to secure halls in our large cities, and some of them are not fit to hold meetings in. We always have to take halls that are connected with saloons, therefore Elder Erzenberger has not been able to hold public meetings in Bern. We are obliged to rent our hall here in Winterthur from a saloon keeper, and the owner of the house sued him for allowing us to hold meetings in the hall, claiming that it would injure the business. The case came before the court, but the house owner lost the suit, and had to pay the cost. It was all over before we knew anything about it. In this hall there is a dance held every Sunday afternoon, so as soon as our meeting is over, Satan and his host take possession. This seems hard, but there is no other way that we know of; therefore we think that the summer will be the best season for us to work, as we can then use our tents.

Brother David Voth is conducting meetings in Herrisau, and reports a good interest.

Our general meeting will be held in the city of Zürich, December 24-28. Here we have a church of about seventy members.

We are thankful that God is drawing souls to him with his good Spirit. May the prayers of God's people unite with us for the success of the cause in this field.

J. T. BOETTCHER. Basel, Switzerland.