Switzerland by John Nevins Andrews

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Jun 29, 1876

Switzerland.

By John Nevins Andrews

I WELL understand the anxiety of the friends in America to hear of the advancement of the work in Europe. I assure them that we who are here are no less anxious for the advancement of the work. But the publication of tracts and of a paper, as well as the preaching of the Word, are essential parts of the work, and these have demanded no small labor with respect to the French language. I have spoken heretofore of the obstacles which have rendered time and labor necessary. Through God's mercy and assistance these are, I trust, nearly surmounted. If our brethren in America have needed patience,

faith and courage have been no less necessary here. But I have not one discouraging word to write. We still have obstacles to surmount, but God has helped us hitherto, and we can trust him for time to come.

My last report was written on my return from Prussia, where I had been to render some assistance to Bro. Ertzenberger. I was glad to find on my return that some ten or twelve had commenced to keep the Sabbath at Locle, through the labors of Bro. Bourdeau during my absence, and among them the esteemed teacher at Locle, Bro. Aufranc. We have now been in Bale several weeks. During this time we have printed an edition of the Exposition of Matt. 24, also one of The Sabbath of the Bible, and one of the Three Messages of Rev. 14. We have printed the Messages in three tracts; the first two being of 16 pages each and the last of 32 pages. We have also been making preparations for our French paper.

Since we have removed to Bale Bro. Bourdeau has visited Ban de la Roche in Alsace, and has found some persons ready to receive the truth. As he found that it would be difficult to obtain permission to preach in Alsace, he requested me to join him in a visit to the authorities. Though Alsace has been annexed to the German Empire, the authority of the French laws has been continued, so that the same difficulty exists in A. that must be met in France itself, and religious liberty in A. is not equal to that in Germany proper. Alsace is governed by a prefect or president appointed by the emperor of Germany, and under him are several officers called sub-prefects, each of which governs a certain district.

We first visited the sub-prefect at Scheleste, because he was the nearest of these officials to Ban de la Roche, but he would do nothing in the case, asserting that the places where Bro. B. wished to preach were in the territory of the sub-prefect at Molsheim, distant some 30 miles. We therefore next visited this officer, but he was discourteous like the first, and said that no one had authority to act in the case except the president at Strasbourg. When we gained access to the president he said that he intrusted such business to a certain secretary whose office was on the other side of the city. When we found this officer, he said that it was the duty of another secretary to decide such questions. We sought the office of this man, but he was absent. When he returned he sent us to another officer as the proper man. Fortunately, when we found this last secretary, we found, for the first time, a man who was willing to do something for us. He asked many questions, and made out the memoranda of a paper authorizing Bro. B. to preach in any part of Alsace. This paper, when made out in due form, is to be sent to Bro. B. through the mail. I shall be glad to learn that he has received it; for if it depends upon the signatures of the other dignitaries I fear it may be withheld.

In behalf of the cause in Europe I would express gratitude for the cheering words of the Conference Address. If the spirit which it breathes shall animate those who love the commandments of God, we shall witness, the present season, a great advancement in the work. I trust that, to a considerable extent, this spirit is possessed by our friends in Switzerland and Germany.

We can all do something. We will all do what we can. The greatest of all privileges is that of unreserved surrender to God. Then when God speaks we shall be ready in a moment to obey. We shall not ask how much we must give, but how much we may give. From all that we possess we shall bid the Lord choose that which best pleases him, and if he takes that which is dearest, or if he takes all, we shall not withhold. If he sets before us any painful duty we shall promptly and cheerfully obey. Nothing that God requires is unreasonable. Everything that he asks at our hands is with reference to our good, as well as with reference to the good of others and to the glory of God.

Obeying God never yet ruined any man. Sin, on the contrary, has been the ruin of every man that has dared to persist in its commission. Our time to work is now. Whatever our hands find to do, let us do with our might, and without delay. Our reward will be according to our work. J. N. ANDREWS. 68 Mullerweg, Bale, Switzerland, May 24, 1876.