Report from Germany by J. Ertzenberger

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 23, 1875

Report from Germany.

By J. Ertzenberger

Since my report of Aug. 5, I have continued my work in the same manner. And it is with great gratitude to God that I can say the good work in Prussia is not stopping, but moving on. The lectures at Solingen are well attended. The hall is literally packed with attentive listeners. Those who attend these lectures either belong to the leading national churches, Lutheran or Evangelical, or to the different denominations of that city, as Baptists, Darbyists, or Independents. Among them are educated people.

The interest to hear the truth is still growing; the Spirit of God is evidently moving on hearts; and the Lord is manifesting himself with his sweet presence. Souls are stirred from their indifference, and sinners aroused from their sleep. Hearts that mourned over the alarming state of the National Church are gladdened by the truth, and those who love the dear Saviour rejoice over the glad tidings of his soon coming in glory.

Invitations to visit are coming in from the poor and from the rich. Last week I commenced this kind of work. Made a few visits at the houses of those who wished me to do so, and also at the dwellings of others who had given no invitation. At the first place I had a lengthy talk on true Christian life. At the second house, I met only the lady with her servant. As they were rich people, I spoke of their conveniences and great privileges in order to introduce those which are far greater and more desirable. Asking the lady whether she had a sure hope of eternal life or not, she responded somewhat harshly, “Oh, yes! why not?” Then I took up the nature of the human heart, true repentance, the Judgment of God, and the coming of Jesus. Although this educated lady could tell me that she had a sure hope of eternal life, she could afterward say, “I cannot see the reason why Jesus should come a second time.” Having earnestly spoken with her of the necessity of repentance toward God and faith in Jesus, I admonished her to attend to her soul’s salvation, and left her. At my departure, she invited me to come again when her husband would be at home.

The next visits I made at the different dwellings of two pastors of the National Church. With one I could speak but little; with the second I conversed at length. He wished to know by whom I was sent, why I came to lecture in Solingen, and what we teach in general terms. To these questions I responded. Thus far all was right. But it is most alarming to learn that this pastor could tell me with laughter that St. Paul greatly erred when writing on the second coming of Christ, and that the Bible contains many contradictions. I asked him to show me one, but he did not. Then in a Christian manner I admonished him to pray God for light, to become converted to God’s word, warning him of the terrible retribution of the unfaithful shepherds, and then I left, he cordially accompanying me to the door. I went away much pained that any should teach the word of God and teach it thus. People are very careful to whom they intrust money. But they do not consider, or very seldom consider, to whom they intrust their souls. What a pitiful state of things!

May God’s Spirit be given to me more and more, and may I be guided in wisdom and in judgment, and have grace to labor successfully at Solingen. I hope that souls may be gained for the eternal kingdom! Dear brethren, pray for me.

J. Ertzenberger.

Vohwinkel, near Elberfeld, Prussia, Aug. 23, 1875.