For the development of a field nothing is of more importance than the education of faithful, energetic, devoted, and successful workers. To-day there is really a greater lack of true workers than there is of means. From all sides comes the Macedonian cry for laborers to come over and “help us,” and none can be provided. The better one understands the language and customs of the people among whom he labors, the more successful will be his ministry. All other things being equal, a native will have far greater advantages than a person from abroad could have. It requires months and even years for one of another nationality to become acquainted with the situation, the language, and the customs of the people; and, in general, our brethren from America are unable to get along as cheaply as could a native worker.
From the very beginning of our work in the German Union Conference, we felt the urgent necessity of training native talent. Sixteen years ago we had in this large field, with its nearly two hundred and sixty million inhabitants, only one ordained minister, and one or two other laborers. In the very beginning, Sister White urged us to do our utmost to educate workers here. We took hold of every available element, and tried to develop what we could get. Every year we had institutes of14from four to eight weeks’ duration, in connection with our efforts in the cities; and thus a number of workers were educated. But with the increase of our work, and the development of a larger constituency, there seemed to be a growing sentiment in favor of a school which should be permanently and favorably located. If the United States, with seventy-five millions, should have church schools in almost every church, and a dozen academies and colleges, certainly our needs in a field three times as large should be three times greater.
Our brethren in this field began to subscribe money for the enterprise, and two years and a half ago we opened our industrial school at Friedensau. In accordance with the instruction given through the spirit of prophecy, this school was established in the country, being located in the midst of a large forest, a mile from any other settlement. Six miles distant is Burg, a city of twenty-five thousand inhabitants, our nearest trading place. This town may be reached by a narrow-gauge road a mile and a half south of us, or by another narrow-gauge road three miles to the north. It is on the main line between Berlin and Magdeburg. Berlin, together with its suburbs, with a population of three million, is eighty miles north of Friedensau, while Magdeburg, a city of two hundred and thirty thousand inhabitants, is about sixteen miles south of us.
DWELLING FOR PHYSICIANS AND NURSES
The farm contains ninety acres of land, all of which is under cultivation. In addition to the original farm buildings, there was a modest flour mill, run by a small stream that generates from nine to twelve horse-power throughout the year. The farm, with all the livestock, was purchased for twelve thousand five hundred dollars, and we have since planted a large orchard and a garden, which supplies us with good food, and furnishes the proper kind of employment for our students.
As there was quite a demand for a health-food factory, the erection of that, at a cost of ten thousand dollars, was the first new enterprise we entered upon. This factory not only turns out good health foods, but it also furnishes work to a number of the students. We are glad to report that our health-food business is constantly growing. As evidence of this fact we may mention that the products of our factory are sent not simply to various parts of Germany, but to Russia, Denmark, Egypt, and even Jerusalem.
As we had only a common farmhouse for the accommodation of our students in the beginning, some of them had to sleep under the tiles of the roof, with the snow drifting through in the dead of winter. But they cheerfully endured this, as they were eager to obtain an education.
However, as soon as possible, we provided temporary barracks for them. Within a year the attendance increased to twenty-five. Later on, we plan to use these barracks for workshops. These quarters are very inconvenient, as there is simply room enough for the beds and trunks, while the students must hang up their clothes over the beds the best way they can. Such conditions are certainly not the most favorable for the education of workers who are to go forth as representatives of the third angel’s message.
The year following we erected our sanitarium at a cost of thirteen thousand dollars. It was ready for occupancy in July, 1901. This not only affords a place where the sick and suffering may receive scientific treatment through the employment of the simple agencies of nature, but it has also proved a valuable adjunct in the training of workers. Eighteen nurses and medical missionaries have availed themselves of the opportunities offered, and some of these have been able to receive state diplomas as regularly recognized nurses. Although the sanitarium is now but one year old, yet it is already exerting a growing and helpful influence in this field. At present the institution is full, every room being taken, and we believe that the outlook for the future is encouraging and hopeful.
The possession of Friedensau also made it possible for us to hold our first annual camp meeting in Friedensau, and all our brethren were enthusiastic over the results that accompanied the effort, and were highly pleased with the place itself. Crowds of people from the surrounding country visit the grounds, and the press favorably mentions what is taking place here, being especially careful to notice the improvements we are making from time to time.
Owing to the fact that we are not near any town or village, it has been found necessary to provide a dwelling for the accommodation of our teachers, and the physician, and the manager; so last winter a brick building was supplied at a cost of six thousand dollars. This brings in a good rental, and at the same time makes it possible for these brethren to be near the patients and students.
At the European General Conference held in Friedensau last year, all our brethren expressed themselves in favor of the erection of a much-needed dormitory for the students; and as the proceeds from “Christ’s Object Lessons” sold by the German people in America and Europe had been kindly voted to help us in our school enterprise, last winter the board decided to proceed with the erection of such a building in the early spring, which should accommodate from forty to fifty students, and cost about twelve thousand dollars. The illustration will give a good idea of the partially finished dormitory, which is so arranged that other additions can easily be made as soon as the means at our disposal warrant such a step. For the present, the commodious dining room will be used as a school and recitation room. The sanitarium, the dwelling, and the dormitory were absolutely needed, and they are occupied as rapidly as finished. Especially now, during the institute and conference, when there are so many people on the ground, are we pleased that the dormitory is under roof, and will furnish sleeping quarters for so large a number of our brethren. These plain yet neat and comfortable buildings, together with our present school building, our barracks, mill, farm, nut-food factory, etc., represent a total investment of fifty-five thousand dollars, nineteen thousand dollars of which has already been raised by our brethren in the German field. They have also subscribed one thousand dollars on the material fund for “Christ’s Object Lessons.”
STUDENTS' DORMITORY
Perhaps we might say a few words about that book and what we are attempting to do with it. Unfortunately,15the plates for the publication of the German edition in Europe, did not arrive until near Christmas time last winter, and so the best season for selling the work was in the past before we were able to get it into the hands of our people. Our brethren here do not have that liberty to sell such a book that our brethren in the United States have. Government licenses are needed, and to secure these requires an outlay of from three to fifteen dollars. A canvasser must be twenty-five years old, and be able to produce police certificates showing that his behavior for the last three or four years has been good. Our canvassers can freely sell “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and quite a number of them have taken the matter in hand, and are gladly and freely giving some of their time to the work; and our people in general have shown a willingness to do what they can. We are not discouraged on account of the difficulties in our way. Since January 1 two thousand copies have been disposed of, and we hope that during the camp meeting which we are just beginning, we can make a general rally for the fall campaign, and be able to dispose of ten thousand copies of the work in the near future. Our publishing house has decided to bear the expense that may be incurred in packing and shipping, so that whatever the book brings in, will flow into the school fund without any discount whatever.
In taking a general view of the work in this field up to the present time, it will be observed that our people in Germany have not only (with comparatively little help from without) planted these various institutions, but they have developed a large missionary field outside of the borders of Germany proper, in Holland, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and the Balkan States. From all these countries they have received young people to educate, and have raised several thousand dollars toward an educational fund for the help of needy students; and at the present time we are planning to provide workers for the German and Dutch colonies in Africa, Asia, and Australasia, as well as to send thither some of our means. Many of our students are poor, but they are intelligent. Those coming from Russia must pay as much as ten dollars a year for their passports, in addition to heavy traveling expenses en route to the school. Sometimes we have been obliged not only to carry the student after his arrival, but also to pay his car fare to the school. The industrial plan has enabled us to give the student enough to do to at least keep him in school; but that plan had to be developed, and the proper facilities had to be supplied. At present there are forty students in attendance from all parts of the German Union Conference territory, and some have had to be refused because of lack of room.
Instead of helping these poorer countries, Germany might have used this money to build up its own institutions; but we believe that God blesses the liberal giver, and we have confidence that our American brethren, when they learn the true situation, will do their utmost to see that at least ten thousand copies of “Christ’s Object Lessons” in the German are sold in their territory, and thus ten thousand dollars be furnished the school here. We have counted on that from the very beginning, planning to raise another ten thousand dollars on this side of the water. Shall we be disappointed? The other day we were made glad by receiving the first installment of two thousand five hundred dollars from America, which, with the proceeds of the books sold here, will meet the first payment on the new building. But dare we hope for three other installments as large as this?
The money we desire is not to pay a debt, but it is to assist in providing suitable buildings and facilities for the school. We know of no school in America, or anywhere else, that was begun in any more humble quarters than was the Friedensau institution, and we question if any of our sister institutions has a greater field to provide for, or has turned out a larger proportion of workers than has Friedensau, even though its facilities be meager. We say this in the fear of God. Some of our leading brethren from America, who have visited the institution, and looked over its books, can substantiate the facts we have just presented. God has so blessed the work in the German field that within the past sixteen years four thousand souls have been gathered into the truth, while, to-day, about one thousand a year are being added to our membership. About sixty missionary workers have been developed here, besides two hundred canvassers and nearly a score of nurses.
Our workers in the German Union Conference greatly rejoiced when they learned that at the last General Conference it was decided by the brethren in America to come to the aid of the Friedensau school, by disposing of a number of “Christ’s Object Lessons,” and to-day they are ready to join hands in carrying forward this good work, and, amid greater difficulties and more sacrifices, sell an equal number of this book; and they are confident that their American brethren will not disappoint them. As the cry is, Forward and onward, they, too, will put their shoulder to the wheel, and the blessing of the Lord will be theirs as they give themselves more fully to service.
