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THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN CONFERENCE

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 27, 1901

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 78, No. 35.

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THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN CONFERENCE.

By O. A. Olsen; L. R. Conradi

From Denmark, we went to Moudon, in the western part of Switzerland, to attend the Central European Conference, July 4-14. The location of the camp was all that could be desired, and the weather was perfect. There were about fifty tents on the grounds. The services were conducted in French and German, as heretofore. The very best spirit prevailed throughout the meeting. God came near to His people, and knit their hearts together in love. Seven were baptized. Brother J. Vuilleumier, who has been in poor health the past few months, was able to be present a part of the time. Brethren Wilkinson and Boettcher, who had just arrived from America, were heartily received, and the Lord added His blessing to their efforts in behalf of the people. A constant effort was made to conduct the business sessions of the Conference in a Christlike manner. Important steps were to be taken, and we united in seeking counsel of God that His will might be carried out.
As three fourths of the inhabitants of Switzerland are Germans, while only one fourth are French and Italians, and there has always been a consequent inconvenience attending the proper development of these two fields under one management, and as there is a large Latin field in Europe, which should be entered as soon as possible, it seemed that the best interests of the cause could be served by the organization of a new Conference, which should give special attention to the needs of the German-speaking cantons, leaving the Central European Conference more free to develop the work in its large mission fields. Our French brethren and our German brethren were one in feeling that the time was ripe for this move; accordingly, the German-Swiss Conference was brought into existence. Elder J. T. Boettcher was chosen president. Within the bounds of this new Conference there are three organized churches with two hundred and seven members, paying annually about two thousand dollars in tithe and offerings. The other ordained minister left to the two million inhabitants of German Switzerland is Elder J. Erzenberger, whose name has so long been associated with the Third Angel's Message in Europe. In view of this fact, the German-Swiss Conference made a call for additional help. And, feeling a desire to have a part in the development of more laborers, they began to raise money to assist in the purchase of material for the publication of the German edition of “Christ's Object Lessons.”
The territory of the Central European Conference includes French Switzerland, French Belgium, France with Algeria, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, giving it a population of about one hundred millions. Here we have only four hundred and seventy-three church-members. Elder B. G. Wilkinson was unanimously chosen to take charge of this vast field. As our French-speaking brethren realized the needs of the work God had given them, they were led to lay still broader plans for the advancement of the message. Among other things, they began to raise money for an educational fund, and desired that steps should be taken to develop laborers who shall give themselves wholly to the work of spreading the gospel in these lands.
As these two Conferences enter upon their work for the coming year, they have reason to be of good courage. Their field is, in many respects, a difficult one, yet God's power is greater than all obstacles, and He will have a people in every nation who will be ready to meet their Lord with joy. Let all remember the cause of God in this territory.
O. A. OLSEN, L. R. CONRADI.