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God Gave the Increase

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 14, 1907

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 84, No. 11.

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“God Gave the Increase”

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN
“I HAVE planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” Thus Paul wrote of the work of God in his time. The same is true to-day; for although earnest effort may be put forth for souls, unless God touches hearts by the operation of his Spirit, nothing is accomplished. Consequently, all the glory of the increase belongs to God, who gave it.
In this issue of the REVIEW will be found an article in the World-wide Field department, entitled “The Annual Conference in Germany,” from Elder Conradi. There are several very interesting features in this report worthy of careful study by conference officials, and it is possible some suggestions may be found in it which would also result in an “increase” of fruit, if adopted in the home field.
The additions recorded by Elder Conradi during 1906 are as follows: Rhenish Conference, 226; Ulm Conference, 136; West German Conference, 285; making a total of 647 new members in these three small conferences. The force of laborers reported in each conference, in the order as given above, was as follows: two ministers, four licentiates, eleven Bible workers. Their business conference sessions were held, you will notice, during the winter.
Points: Small force of ordained ministers, enough to take the general oversight of the work; young, energetic men gaining an experience as preachers; as many or more Bible workers in each conference as there are ordained ministers and licentiates put together; all this accomplished in a hard field, where laws and opposition are set against the work. The territory is being divided, and new conferences formed, as fast as possible. Holding the business session of the conference in the winter allows the undivided interest of all the conference forces—ministers, licentiates, and Bible workers—to be put forth in new fields in labor for souls, during the entire tent and camp-meeting season, without interruption. See “Testimonies,” Vol. VII, page 41; Vol. VI, page 44.
“God gave the increase.” He certainly will, when we obey him by following his instruction for carrying on his own work in the earth.