Missionary Department by Elder Andrews

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 16, 1876

Missionary Department.

By Elder Andrews

Switzerland.

REPORT FROM ELDER ANDREWS.

The coming of Bro. Bourdeau has brought timely and valuable assistance to the work in this country. He has now been here three weeks, during which time we have visited nearly all the Sabbath-keepers in Switzerland. Our meetings in each place have been very encouraging and profitable. But we have not counted this the work of chief importance. Our first business has been to prayerfully consider the proper method of bringing the great truths of our faith to the attention of the people of Europe. With the map of Europe before us, we have carefully considered the situation of the several countries in which we know Sabbath-keepers now dwell. At present we think to labor together; but after a few months we expect to separate. We wish to enter upon our work in such a manner as to give unity to all our future labors, and to enable us to put forth our strength to the best advantage.

We have decided to make Bale or Basel (the French call it by the first name and the Germans the second) our center of operations; that is, if God shall bless our efforts there. This is the largest city in Switzerland, and it lies in the extreme north of this country, and actually touches Germany on the north-east and France on the north-west. Or, rather, this was the case till Germany in the last war seized a portion of eastern France. Bale is almost the geographical center of Europe west of Russia. It seems to us the most suitable center for our work. We shall be about one hundred miles from our Swiss brethren, but we shall be between them and the brethren in Germany, though at a greater distance from the latter. It seems to us that we could not select another point so advantageous with respect to avoiding national jealousy as is this point. Should we have an Office of publication hereafter we do not wish our friends in other countries to say, “It is the Swiss Office,” and to feel little interest in it because it is not in the country where they live. We wish if possible to forestall such feelings, and to give things such shape that there shall be little chance for this kind of trouble. When we are at Bale it is almost the same thing as though we were in France, Germany, and Switzerland at the same time. France and Germany are hostile to each other, but neither is hostile to Switzerland.

It seemed to us the mind of the Spirit of God that we should visit Bale. We made this visit a few days since, and found that we could obtain a hall suitable for our work, and a house that would answer for a dwelling, both at prices within our power to pay, and that both would be ready for us the first of April. Though it seemed to us that this place is suited to the work upon which we wish to enter, we deferred a decision till our return.

In Bale there is a printer who has printed for us five numbers of our tracts. He is an Italian, but understands also German and French, and can publish in all these languages. He takes some interest in our work, and I hope that he truly fears God.

After returning and consulting the other members of the executive committee of the Swiss Sabbath-keepers, we have decided to remove to Bale about the first of April, and commence public lectures in that city. We have decided nothing as to the publication of a paper. We lay all before the brethren in America, especially before the General Conference Committee. We have no disposition to act in this matter without the approval and co-operation of those whose wisdom and experience qualify them to give counsel.

What course shall we take with respect to a paper? The friends of the cause in Switzerland can meet the expense of a few numbers, but with the other burdens resting upon them they could continue to do this but a little while. If we commence to publish with the statement that our paper will appear from time to time as we have means, we may avoid the necessity of incurring much debt, but the friends here think that it will greatly injure the influence of the paper. They think it should be published regularly at least once a month. Of course we are anxious to get the truth before the people, and there is no means so potent as the publication of a suitable paper. As soon as possible after we commence a paper in French, we desire to issue an edition containing the same matter in the German language, and if God will, in other languages also.

We feel deeply with respect to reaching the public. We hope to give the truth such prominence that it shall shine out to many people around. Our strength is not in ourselves. We are only earthen vessels; but the excellency of the power is of God. We may not see our hopes realized with respect to Bale, but we shall make an earnest, united effort, if God will, and we hope that he will be gracious to us in our great necessity. We shall be very near the places in Alsace where Bro. Bourdeau wishes to labor, and so we hope from this quarter the truth will find an entrance into France.

The coming of Bro. Bourdeau has made some changes necessary in respect to my place of abode. It is important that we be able to spend the most of our time together, and as our friends at La Coudre were already crowded, it was plainly duty to find some place elsewhere. For this reason we have found a place among our friends in Locle till the time of our removal to Bale. In leaving La Coudre I wish to make grateful acknowledgment of the kindness and care extended to myself and children, by our friends in that place.

It gives me great satisfaction to say that there is a decided advance in Christian experience in the case of our dear Swiss brethren. I have in time past expressed an earnest desire to witness a greater consecration to God. I think there is a marked change in this respect, and it brings great joy to my heart. God has chosen this people to fill an important place in the work which he designs to accomplish in the surrounding nations. There is no better material in any country, I am persuaded, than may be found in these little churches. I believe, notwithstanding all their discouragements in the past, they will yet stand in the front rank in this sacred work, and that the joy of the Lord will be their strength. The work of the Tract and Missionary Society, upon which our brethren here have just fairly entered, promises to be a success. Of this I will speak more hereafter.

Bro. Bourdeau and myself are earnestly at work upon an abridged edition of the Three Messages which shall be specially adapted to the work in Europe. We also purpose to issue an edition of Bro. White’s exposition of Matt. 24, and one or two works on the Sabbath. These, with the works already printed, will give us an assortment of publications in French sufficient to meet our most urgent want in entering new fields of labor.

Our brethren in Switzerland greatly need the practical instruction contained in the works of sister White. I have never been so sensible of the importance of these works as since living in this country. We hope soon to print some of the most necessary portions of these works.

Bro. Ertzenberger is steadily pressing forward in the work at Solingen, Prussia. He has great difficulties to contend with, but God is giving him good success. Some who wish to send him German tracts have asked his address. It is Vohwinkel (bei Elberfeld) Prussia. To meet the present urgent wants, Bro. E., with his own means, has published in German small editions of four or five small tracts abridged to four pages each. He has certainly done what he could. We are of good courage in the Lord. We ask the prayers of the people of God.

Locle, Switzerland, Feb. 4, 1876.