GERMANY by J. Ertzenberger

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 6, 1876

GERMANY

By J. Ertzenberger

Though I have kept silence since my report of Jan. 20, I have not been idle, but have labored for the good of souls, publicly and in private.

I have had to struggle against perplexing difficulties. Finally, I felt it necessary to call on Bro. Andrews to come here. The 7th of March I had the great privilege of meeting him at Cologne. It had been just a year since he left Germany. He remained three full weeks among us, earnestly laboring for the prosperity of the cause. His visit was timely, his labors faithful and a blessing; but not without great pains-taking on his part. However, there are those, who could not receive him, nor accept his Christian counsel, on account of their hatred and envy. Poor souls!

Though the enemy is going around to hinder as much as possible, five more have taken a stand to keep all of God's commandments. We have had the pleasure of seeing them in our Sabbath-meetings. May they be a light to others.

March 4, two were baptized; March 25, three; and May 27, five adults. Half of these persons had once been immersed. But since they became enlightened on the nature of the divine law and Sabbath, they became satisfied that they were not in a proper state to be baptized when they were first immersed, because they then lived in the transgression of God's holy law. Thus they wished to be baptized aright.

March 28, I have held my first lecture in Langenberg, a city of five thousand inhabitants, about ten miles north of the place where I have been lecturing. This place is an entirely new field of labor. There is not one Christian Sabbath-keeper there. Nearly the whole population of the city belong to the Evangelical National church, to which they are much attached. Silk-weaving is their main business, which they perform mostly in their respective dwellings.

This lecture was the very first biblical lecture held in that place. Although the lecture hall is again a room in a hotel, it is the best opening I could possibly find. In this country neither school-houses nor meeting-houses are opened for lectures by those who are not pastors of the leading National churches. And to get a suitable hall for $7 in gold a month is a good chance.

In spite of the circumstances, not less than one hundred and fifty persons have been present. In the intelligent-looking congregation, I recognized the owner of one of the city newspapers. Good attention was paid to the word spoken. The people quickly entered the hall; they left it in an orderly manner at the close of the lecture. Considering all things, I think it was a success. To God be all the praise! I hope to give a course of lectures there.

Without doubt, by-and-by the pastors of the National church will be stirred up very much. I need wisdom from on high, to act in such a way as to meet the approval of my divine Master. I want to follow him. I wish to serve him. He has been very good to me. Though the battle has been a hard one nearly all the time that I have been in Prussia, he has sustained me graciously and blessed my feeble efforts in his vineyard.

“’Tis sweet to work for Jesus, “There’s resting by-and-by.”

I ask an interest in the prayers of God’s dear people.

It is with heartfelt gratitude that I acknowledge the reception of several packages of German tracts printed at the REVIEW Office. I received them with thanksgiving to God, and with prayer to him to make them a means of great good, I distribute them. May the unknown giver himself share in the blessing of God!

J. ERTZENBERGER. Vohwinkel, bei Elberfeld, Prussia.