J. T. BOETTCHER by J. T. BOETTCHER

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 28, 1907

J. T. BOETTCHER

By J. T. BOETTCHER

Munich-Bavaria

J. T. BOETTCHER

Munich, the capital of the kingdom of Bavaria, is the third largest city in the German empire, having a population of five hundred and thirty-eight thousand. The kingdom has been ruled for many years by a brother of the king, as Prince Regent. The people, however, elect representatives, who are the law-making body. As the majority of the inhabitants are Catholics, two thirds of the House of Representatives are of this faith, as are also the Prime Minister and all the secretaries.

It will be of interest to learn what religious liberty means in this country. No religion is tolerated except the state religion. We as a denomination are not permitted to hold religious meetings of any kind. In Nurnberg, where we have a church of fifty-five members, they have been fined as high as $12.50 each for attending meeting. Yet our people come together every Sabbath—not in the same place each time, but in different places, sometimes even in the woods.

The last Sunday in November I was called to Nurnberg to preach the funeral sermon of one of our sisters. It had been announced that she was a Seventh-day Adventist, and when we arrived at the churchyard, about five hundred people had gathered to hear. I stood on a big pile of sand, above the people, and preached the truth of God. We sang “Asleep in Jesus,” and prayed with as much freedom as though we were in America. This sister preached the truth, even though dead. The same evening I held a meeting in an upper chamber, and the next morning a lady came to be baptized, thus filling up the gap which had been made by our deceased sister.

I am now conducting a course of lectures in Munich. When I was questioned as to what kind of lectures I intended giving, I answered that they would be historical and religious. The permission was granted without any trouble. Of course I am not allowed to pray, or to say “Amen” at the close.

The first meeting presented a sight wonderful to behold. The people sat in their chairs, with their big beer mugs in their hands, and smoked like steam engines. I did not know what to do, but could only pray that I might find words to help these poor people—and God did bless the spoken word. At present no one comes to smoke, nor does any one drink.

In all Germany there is not another city where one drinks so much beer as here. In the country itself, three billion marks are spent each year for alcoholic drinks, or just as much as the national debt amounts to. The little children get beer in the nursing-bottles, just as others elsewhere get their milk. Most of the priests are stockholders in the breweries, and they themselves drink more than any of the others. For this reason many people have lost faith in any religion. Others still cling to their church because it is all they know, and they have nothing better. We tell them that the Bible says so and so; but the poor people have never seen a Bible, so we sell Bibles to them.

It does one good to see how these dear people listen to the simple story of the cross. One lady told me to-day of how she had put peas in her shoes, and then walked a long distance, that her sins might be forgiven, but never could feel that they were. But now she is happy, and reads her Bible day and night. She can hardly wait until she can be baptized. The greater part of our congregation are Catholics. The Lord is good in blessing the world with such a truth that can penetrate even the most beclouded minds. Of late we have been baptizing many Catholics in southern Germany.

We have found a new way by which we may hold meetings in Bavaria. The law permits societies of all kinds to be organized, and meetings to be held by the same. So we have organized ourselves into a society of Seventh-day Adventists, coming together for the purpose of reading the Bible, two members of said society explaining what has been read. We can not pray nor sing.

Last Sabbath, after we had opened the Sabbath-school, a detective walked in, and sat down to listen to what was said. When such men are in sight, we do not offer public prayer. One brother stands at the door, to watch, and when he gives a sign to the speaker, all understand, so that the program is changed in a moment. Last Sabbath we also celebrated the Lord’s Supper, and organized a church of eighteen members. Before many weeks are passed, with the Lord’s blessing we shall have a fine church here. We find many people who are willing to come out from Rome and follow Jesus to the kingdom. It is a precious thing to work for the lost and dying, even amid danger. Our God will give us the victory.

A number of times we have tried to get a petition to the Prince Regent, asking for freedom to hold meetings, but so far we have not been helped. I told one of the government officials that we should come to Munich, with or without permission. Now we are here, and with the Lord’s help we have come to stay. In the places where the darkness is the greatest, God’s truth will but shine the brighter. Our courage is good, for we shall soon all be home.