Publications in Other Languages.
By James White
MANY have felt deeply the want of publications in the German, French, and Danish languages. Our people are several years behind the opening providence of God in this matter. God has brought in among us intelligent and warm-hearted men and women from the Scandinavian people, from the German, and the French, who have been for several years calling for publications in their own languages to circulate among their countrymen. And there has not been, during the past two years, any lack of means to meet the expenses of writing, translating, and printing. Why then has this important work been thus delayed? The friends who feel so deep an interest in this matter, especially our brethren in Vermont and Canada East, who see an open door for the word to the French people, should have a correct answer. They should know the real facts in the case. We, therefore, give the following statement: At the South Lancaster, Mass., Camp-meeting, in August, 1870, the brothers Bourdeau, of Northern Vermont, and Bro. James Ertzenberger of Switzerland, met. These, speaking French, had a special interest in each other. There was also at that meeting the S. D. A. Publishing Association’s Committee on Publication. The brothers Bourdeau had brought several hundreds of pages in French treating on the several topics of present truth, and presented them to us, as President of the S. D. A. P. A. and chairman of the Board on Publications. In private session the Board decided— 1. That all manuscripts, before being published in other languages by the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, must first be written in English, and examined by those appointed to that duty. 2. That if the brethren Bourdeau thought proper to urge their printing done, they were at liberty to do so, and call on their wealthy friends in Northern Vermont and Canada East to furnish them the means to meet the expenses. But the S. D. A. Publishing Association could not take the responsibility to print what its committee on publications could not read. As it was our duty to report, we did so in the brethren Bourdeau’s tent, Bro. J. Ertzenberger being present. And after repeating the above two propositions, we also, stated— 3. That twelve tracts, more or less, should be prepared by the Board, covering as far as possible the main features of our religious belief, the best possible translations should be obtained in German, French, and Danish, and when they had passed through the hands of scholars, and also, through the hands of those who were led by the Spirit of God and had the work at heart, then the S. D. A. Publishing Association would issue them, and send them out in America, and in Europe, on the same terms that it does its works in the English language. The brethren Bourdeau, receiving encouragement that these tracts would be prepared in English very soon, decided to lay aside their manuscripts. This was a Christian act in them; but as the matter has turned, we very much regret that they did not do as Bro. Matteson did, and push ahead the cause among the French people as he did among the Scandinavian people. Their relatives and friends were able to raise ten thousand dollars easier than Bro. Matteson’s few friends were to raise one thousand. We stated our personal interest in the great work of furnishing the right matter, in the best manner, in these three languages, ready for the press to send forth edition after edition, and offered as our part of the expenses a donation of twenty-five dollars for each tract, or three hundred for the series. And we did expect the co-operation of the other members of the Board, and that the tracts would be made ready for translation before the close of 1870. But from that time to the present, neither of the two members of the Board have done anything on these works; nor have they mentioned them to us by letter, or in any other way. And it has been utterly impossible for us to do anything on this work until we commenced to do a little, as our strength would admit, in the Rocky Mountains. Let us take a glance at the past since the decision of the Board on the South Lancaster Camp Ground in August, 1870. In consequence of Bro. Andrews’ engagement to give a course of lectures at Oneida, N. Y., we urged Bro. Littlejohn to return with Bro. Andrews and assist him in the lectures at Oneida. We needed Bro. Littlejohn’s help very much at the Vermont, Maine, and Michigan Camp-meetings; but were willing to part with his most desirable society, and efficient help, that Bro. Andrews might have the best help and retain his strength to do much in the preparation of the series of tracts, and revise his Sabbath History. In this we loved our neighbor better than ourself. And while the lectures at Oneida resulted in but little to the cause, and greatly discouraged Bro. Andrews, we suffered greatly for want of Bro. Littlejohn’s help, and became so worn and hoarse that it was with great difficulty we could speak at all at our great Michigan Camp-meeting. The next week we attended the Ohio camp-meeting. Mrs. W. fainted from fatigue on the way. Then we hastened to the Indiana Camp-meeting, and then hastened on our long, tedious journey to the Kansas Camp-meeting, which held the very next week. And learning of the sickness of the editor of the REVIEW, we decided to fill his pages each week, and wrote nearly every moment we were not in religious and business meetings, whether we were on the cars or in our tent. And thus we pushed matters till our return for the West, when we found things at the Office in a terrible condition. The editor of the REVIEW was away, recovering from fever. The foreman was very sick with fever, from exposure, in recklessly leaving his post of duty. The secretary of the S. D. A. P. A. was down with fever, and the work had nearly stopped. The Reformer had been abandoned, and was nearly a month behind. The editor of the Youth’s Instructor had, in our absence, left his post of duty, and was in a northern county. In this condition, we found matters on our return from the West. We were very much worn from great exertions during the camp-meeting season, and should have had several weeks’ rest. But, instead of this, we rushed to the rescue, and worked till the time of the General Conference, exerting every nerve for about sixteen hours out of each twenty-four. We resolved to raise the Health Reformer from its sinking, dwindling condition, and by the grace of God we did it. We had long felt that the REVIEW should be enlarged, and improved in almost every particular, and God blessed our efforts. We took up the Instructor as a mother would a feeble child, and we hope some improvements have been made. And in this way, we took hold of every branch of the work, and labored to improve and lift it up, hoping that help would come at the time of the General Conference, and that we could do something, at least, in the preparation of the series of tracts. We were so absorbed in the general interests of the cause, and had so many things crowding, that we were forced to neglect home duties. Our aged parents, then living in our family, could not receive a single hour of our personal attention, although our godly mother lay helpless with palsy. Then was a good opportunity for the numerous church to voluntarily offer their services, and to come in with a helping hand. But we were not only left to bear the burdens alone, but some gave their influence to paralyze our efforts. Still we pressed forward, and were so far forgetful of personal interests, and our own domestic matters, that in nearly mid winter we were notified that the cellar had not been closed. We found open windows, walls crystallized by frost, and fruit and vegetables more or less ruined. General Conference was appointed a month early in hopes that relief would then come. But these are always times of triple care. We were chairman at most business sessions, presided several times, had a house full of company, and were overwhelmed with cares in the interests of General Conference, State Conference, Publishing Association, Health Institute, book matters, and the religious exercises of the occasion, of no small importance. And in this state of things, fearfully exhausted by labor, while walking sadly to our home alone, we found ourself falling to the sidewalk, which was partially prevented by seizing the fence. This was opposite the house of Bro. Lockwood. When we had so far recovered as to understand the situation, with difficulty we reached Bro. Lockwood’s door where we received the needed attention. From that second shock of partial paralysis we have never recovered. It might have been saved, if strong men with whom we were then associated in office had borne the burdens of that meeting more fully with us, instead of enjoying seasons by themselves in the discussion of interesting topics, from which we were deprived by triple care and labor. And, although we have not, since that time, been able to accomplish a tithe of what we could two years since, we have struggled on, hoping that faithful men would come to Battle Creek to our relief, and that we should recover. During the past summer, notwithstanding our extreme feebleness, the time has passed with much pleasure and great profit. God has been with us, and sadness and gloom have been wearing off. And as we have fully decided to be joyful in God, and look upon the bright side, and stand from beneath the burdens which have crushed us, and bear a plain testimony, and roll the burdens where they belong, great peace and comfort have filled our mind. And so long as God blesses us on the Pacific Coast, and in the Rocky Mountains, we will thank him for an asylum here, until our labors shall be appreciated, the difficulties under which we have labored, and the causes of discouragement, can in some degree be realized. We now design to make the best of the situation, and hope the sad past has taught us several important things:— 1. To be cheerful and hopeful in God, and to believe in him with all the heart. 2. To wait, and enjoy comparative rest, and rejoice in God, until health and strength shall improve, and we have unmistakable evidence that the way is fully prepared for us to labor where the unfaithfulness of others will not be liable to crush us. 3. Meantime, we refuse any position or office in the cause, where there is liability that the unfaithfulness of others might bring great burdens upon us. 4. In God, if it be his will, we design not to be responsible for the course of others, and ask none to be responsible for ours. We design to keep our pen dipped in the clearest and best ink, and keep a good lookout, and plainly warn the precious flock of threatening dangers. We are happy to report that two of the tracts for other languages, are prepared, and fifteen thousand copies are printed in English. When examined by the other members of the Board; if accepted, they can be translated and printed in the several languages. And we feel just like pushing this work to the extent of our strength to its completion. We should be glad of help in this work, but can wait no longer. If it be said that the other members of the Board have been busy at other work, then we inquire, Has not their work of reviewing, &c., been almost infinitely of less importance than the preparation of these works? Since we left Battle Creek, in May, we have experienced many of the most remarkable evidences of care, love, and especial leadings of our gracious God. Bible subjects are opening to our mind, with a harmony, completeness, and glory, as never before. And we are enjoying seasons of especial freedom and power in prayer for health, strength, and wisdom, to finish the work he has for us to do in the preparation of much needed works. JAMES WHITE, Pres. S. D. A. P. A.