p. 577 | GERMAN CAMP-MEETING

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 3, 1901

GERMAN CAMP-MEETING.

By Ole Andres Olsen; Ludwig Richard Conradi

Leaving Mouden, Switzerland, Sunday morning, July 14, we reached Friedensau the following forenoon. We found our new sanatorium completed and in working order, and the Friedensau school full of students. The grounds were partially prepared for the eleventh annual session of the German Conference, July 18–28. As many were encamped, we held a meeting on the evening of the 17th. From Monday morning until Thursday afternoon we were occupied by auditing and other Conference business. We are glad to state that we had sufficient funds to settle with all our laborers.

This was the largest gathering of Seventh-day Adventists ever held in Europe. More than ninety tents were pitched on the grounds, and over six hundred of our people were in attendance. They came together to seek God in spirit. Earnestness characterized their religious experience. When they were given opportunity to speak of God’s goodness, frequently there were two hundred on their feet at once, and it was necessary to divide the congregation into sections that all might have the opportunity they sought. The first Sabbath twenty-five were baptized; the second Sabbath, thirteen more were buried with their Lord, to rise again in newness of life. Our brethren from other lands rendered valuable help. Bible studies were conducted by Elders Waggoner, Prescott, Wilkinson, Boettcher, Johnson, and others; while important health talks were given by Drs. Ottosen, Hoenes, Olsen, and Holden; and the laborers of the Conference took an active part in looking after the spiritual interests of the people.

The business transacted at this time was considerable, and the most of it was out of the way by the time appointed for the European General Conference, July 23. That the work in the various fields might be localized, and more thoroughly unified at the same time, it was decided to form a German Union Conference, embracing the German-Swiss Conference, a report of which has already been given our readers. In Germany proper there will be the East German Conference, having a membership of about nine hundred, with Elder J. Pieper as president; the West German Conference, having approximately the same number of members, with Elder H. F. Schuberth president; and the South German Mission, which is under the superintendency of Elder E. Frauchiger. Holland and Flemish Belgium constitute a mission field, in charge of Elder R. G. Klingbeil. Austria-Hungary, including the Balkan States, under the superintendency of Elder John F. Huenengardt, will be the third mission field—each of these has about two hundred Sabbath-keepers. Russia, on account of its size and the manner in which our people are distributed, will be divided into the South Russian Mission, in charge of Elder H. J. Löbsack, and the North Russian Mission, with Elder D. P. Gaede as superintendent; the southern division contains 960 Sabbath-keepers; the northern, 180. The total membership of the German field, exclusive of German Switzerland and Russia, is 2,339, showing a net gain of 353 for the year. The tithe also increased over $2,000. The tithe and offerings amounted to about $22,100, and the book sales were over $26,000. At this meeting $600 was given to help pay for the material needed for the German edition of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” The Hamburg house had a prosperous year.

The Sabbath before the camp-meeting closed, Brother Otto Lüpke, the teacher in charge of the Friedensau school, was ordained to the gospel ministry. The occasion was a precious one for him and for us.

The coming year Elder J. P. Lorenz will permanently locate in Austria. We now have a company of six Sabbath-keepers in Prague, that city of historic note in connection with the Reformation.

In all, about fifteen new workers will enter the territory of the German Union Conference. Those who had the privilege of attending this camp-meeting went away happy in the Lord, and full of courage, looking forward to a successful year’s work, and a good German Union meeting next year.

O. A. Olsen, L. R. Conradi.