GERMANY AND SWITZERLAND.
By John Nevins Andrews
The work of God in these countries still makes progress. I have spoken of our effort to prepare tracts and pamphlets for publication in Europe. When the work on the Three Messages was finished, I thought to take time for some other matters of great importance preparatory to the commencement of our work in Bâle. But just then came a call from Bro. Ertzenberger of so urgent a character that I could not refuse the request. He wished my assistance in his field of labor. It was necessary to choose between matters of serious importance, some of which must be neglected, and it gave me much distress to be thus straitened. But after much prayer, I set out for Germany. I found that some of those who received us joyfully last year are now embittered toward us. The cause of estrangement is the doctrine that Christ when he comes will gather his people to old Jerusalem instead of the new, and that in particular he will gather there all the natural Jews, and that men will be converted after Christ comes. Those who hold these views have never been pressed to renounce them, and could make no complaint in this respect. But they cannot tolerate those who think that old Jerusalem and her children are not the subjects of promise, and that sin can only be pardoned while Christ serves as priest in the temple in Heaven. It therefore became necessary to meet this issue thus forced upon us, and this, with God's help, has been done. Though bitter words have been spoken against us by a few, no such words were returned. But the doctrine that the Jews are the heirs of the kingdom of God by virtue of their descent from Abraham was shown to be without foundation in the Bible, and to be plainly contradicted by its teaching. Should time and strength hereafter permit, I mean to write out the subject as I presented it in this series of meetings. I am happy to say that nearly every person who has been proved by acquaintance to be of moral worth still remains in union with our work. Bro. Ertzenberger has pursued a wise and noble Christian course, and our friends in Germany have great confidence in him. Some of those who are at present alienated will, without doubt, return after a time. Perhaps some others will not. But if they do not, they can never complain that they have been driven off, nor say that on any occasion harsh words have been spoken to them. On the whole, I do not regret that the sieve has been shaken, though it has been the occasion of pain to us. It gave me great pleasure to visit Solingen, the city where Bro. Ertzenberger has given a course of lectures. Here I found a church of sixteen good, substantial, intelligent Christian Sabbath-keepers. I was very favorably impressed with what I saw in this little company. Probably several others in that vicinity will soon unite with them. Three of those who have embraced the commandments through the labors of Bro. E. were baptized while I was there. It was a very interesting baptism. At Essen there are seven Sabbath-keepers who came from the company who keep the Sabbath in Eastern Prussia. In company with Bro. E., I twice visited these friends, and I think our visits were very profitable. At first they were distant, and seemed afraid of us. But two of them, by our invitation, were present at the baptism, and the Spirit of God touched their hearts. At our second visit, I had the privilege of speaking to a company of their neighbors on the commandments and the Sabbath. God gave much freedom in speaking, and the word took hold of all present. In particular these Sabbath-keepers were much affected and most heartily thanked us for the visit, and for what they had heard. I remained in Germany a little more than three weeks, but the time was used with diligence, to make it count all that it was possible. I greatly regretted to leave so soon, but could not avoid making my stay thus brief. My interview with Bro. Ertzenberger was a precious one to me, and I believe was a source of encouragement to him. He has labored faithfully, and God has made his labors a great blessing to the cause in that region. My heart is of good courage as to Germany. Immediately after my departure for Germany, circumstances indicated the propriety of making a public effort at Locle. Bro. Bourdeau therefore advertised in the paper, and by the distribution of hand-bills called out quite a congregation. He put forth a very earnest effort to reach the people. As the result, twelve persons are now keeping the Sabbath. One of these is a gentleman who has stood high as a teacher in a position he has filled for twelve years. He is well educated in the French and German languages, and as he seems to be a humble Christian, and is in the prime of life, and in good health, we hope that he will be able to render us important assistance. He has resigned his position that he may take hold with us in the work in Bâle. I was sorry to be absent during the most important part of these meetings, but as it seemed to be duty, I could not do otherwise. On my return to Locle, we held our first quarterly tract and missionary meeting for Switzerland. The reports showed the distribution of about 26,000 pages of tracts. These have gone to nearly all the countries of Europe. One sister, who has a relative that is a servant in the household of the emperor of Russia, sent publications to that relative for the benefit of his Imperial Majesty. Important publications have been sent to a missionary in the interior of Africa. Moreover, it was the distribution of reading matter in Locle which created the first interest in that place, and caused our friends to desire a special public effort. Under the circumstances, the amount of pages distributed, though not large, is a matter of encouragement to me. It has not been possible for me to visit our friends to urge forward this work since first starting it, but we shall, with God's blessing, do greater things hereafter. The past week, myself and children removed to Bâle to get our hired house in order, and Bre. Bourdeau remained to close up the work in Locle and to baptize. He will join us with his family the coming week. After some further preparatory labor, we shall enter upon our public effort in this city. We hope to move in the counsel of God; for we well know that everything depends upon his help. We are grateful for the prayers of the people of God. We still ask them. Hitherto the Lord has helped us. I would gladly write much for the REVIEW, but with the burden now upon my spirit it is not possible. When I have fully surmounted the difficulties which now hinder me, I hope for time and strength to write freely for the REVIEW. I have a heart to do, but I find a limit to my strength. Our residence is 68 Müllerweg, Bâle, Switzerland, which is now our post-office address. J. N. ANDREWS.
Bâle, Switzerland, April 16, 1876.