In the Kingdom of Saxony by Guy Dail

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Apr 1, 1909

In the Kingdom of Saxony

By Guy Dail

GUY DAIL

The second annual session of the Saxon Conference was held in the manufacturing city of Chemnitz, January 20-24. The territorial boundaries of this field include simply the small kingdom of Saxony, cut off from the East German Conference one year ago. The kingdom of Saxony is the most densely populated country on the Continent; although it is only a little larger than the State of Connecticut, its population numbers over four and one-half millions, or about seven hundred seventy-nine persons to the square mile. Here we have a unique condition of things, for there is a Roman Catholic king, ruling a thoroughly Protestant country. I am told that many are turning from Protestantism to Romanism, to ingratiate themselves into the favor of the court. In the days of Augustus III (1738), Count Bruehl, his minister, laid out the beautiful Bruehl terrace adjoining the royal palace in Dresden, and water was let in from the Elbe, to form pleasing artificial lakes.

At one time the kingdom of Saxony was very rich, because of its productive silver-mines; but with the discovery of silver in other parts of the world, the price of silver has so fallen that to-day the miners here are gradually being pensioned off, and it seems but a matter of time till these once renowned silver-mines will fall into disuse.

There is, however, a mine in Saxony that is not decreasing in its productive powers, and the kingdom of the Owner of this mine will never fall into decay. His miners have been busily engaged during the past year in this part of the German empire, and as a result, eighty-seven souls, all of whom we trust may prove to be more precious than fine gold in the day of judgment, have been gathered in.

After auditing the accounts of the laborers, there was a surplus of over three thousand marks for the year. There has also been a constant growth in means. However, in one department—the tract and missionary work—there seems room for increased activity, and a resolution was passed at the conference, laying special stress upon this branch of the work for the coming year. There were about two hundred of our people, representing the eight churches and the four companies in this field, at the conference. Thirty-eight copies of “Ministry of Healing” and fourteen of “Parables” were sold here. As the total membership of the Saxon Conference is four hundred thirty-four, the percentage of the members in attendance was good. For the new school building in Friedensau, 1,862 marks was raised. The Sabbath-school donation amounted to 224 marks for the day. One hundred ninety-six members were present. The conference voted one thousand marks of its tithe to assist the work in Galicia.

The same general line of thought was followed by the resolutions as had been developed in the preceding German conferences of the season. For a time it almost seemed that we should have no permission from the police to hold the conference. When this was reluctantly granted, we were told that we would not be permitted to take up any collections. However, about two hundred sixty marks came in from our people for the purpose of meeting the conference expense.

The companies in Neustadt, in Saxony, and in Zwickau, with a combined membership of twenty-seven, were received into the conference. Brother Paul Staubert was ordained to the ministry on Sabbath, January 23. Brother K. Sinz was re-elected president of the conference. The help of Brethren H. F. Schuberth, J. H. Schilling, and L. Mathe, and Dr. Behn was appreciated.

We believe that, as never before, the cause of the third angel's message will go forward in this interesting and densely inhabited district. May God add his blessing to that end.

Hamburg.