Editorial Correspondence.
By John Nevins Andrews
WANTS OF THE CAUSE IN EUROPE.
The Review has come to hand bringing the report of the meeting of the General Conference. Before the assembling of the Conference, my interest with respect to it was most intense, and I earnestly cried to God that his special blessing might rest upon the meeting. During all its sessions, my heart ascended to God for his presence and his help at this important gathering. It seems to me that God has heard prayer. My heart has been cheered by what I have read, and my hand strengthened for renewed toil in the work of God. It is true that I cannot participate in all the labors and burdens which come upon those who work in America, but I have others in their stead which make my life one of great anxiety. I have not a word to say as to choosing my field of labor. I accept the one which I have, because it has fallen to me in the providence of God. And now if I can be faithful to God, and accomplish his purpose in this part of his vineyard, I shall be thankful indeed. Let me speak, then, of the work in this part of the field, and of some things greatly needed. 1. God is with Bro. Ertzenberger in Germany. He has had to meet severe conflicts there, but has found help from God. The way is opening before him, so that God’s hand is very manifest. He is at work in Solingen, an entirely new field, and there is much interest among the people. He learned of a company of eight Sabbath-keepers, perhaps thirty or forty miles north of S., and visited them. He found them observing the Sabbath from sunset to sunset, holding the immersion of adult believers as the only scriptural baptism, and also believing in the near coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven; and though living in a land of inveterate tobacco-users, they wholly discard the foul and poisonous weed. What is of still deeper interest, he learned from them that in Eastern Prussia, near the Russian frontier, there is a considerable number of Sabbath-keeping Christians, and that from them these persons received the Sabbath. These things awaken in my heart the most intense interest. What shall be done for Germany? God has gone out before us. It is most certainly a call to us to follow. Bro. E. is faithfully laboring in a place where there is great interest on the part of the public. His hands are more than full already. Yet very soon, if God will, these Sabbath-keepers of Eastern Prussia must be visited. How to do this I cannot see; but some way it must be done, and that without the delay of one day after it shall in the providence of God be possible. But one thing I do desire very much indeed. It is German tracts. These can be sent through the mail. Bro. E.’s address is Vohwinkel (bei Elberfeld), Prussia. Send to him as many as God shall put it into your heart to send. He can use all that he gets. Send of every kind that the Office can furnish. I have also use for German tracts in Switzerland. If any are disposed to send me also some of these, I will find a use for them. The German Methodist brother who has commenced to observe the Sabbath this summer bids fair to become a useful laborer among the Germans. He seems to me to have the true spirit of the work. I hope much from him. It is for his use especially that I desire German tracts. 2. In Italy there are a few Sabbath-keepers. The first person in Europe to receive the Sabbath and the Advent faith from Eld. M. B. C. was sister Catherine Revel. She resides not very far from Turin. Her faith has continued steadfast under great discouragements, and under opposition from her husband which is almost worthy of the name of persecution. The truth having been planted there, I am not willing that it should receive no attention, and be left for Satan to extinguish. My anxious care for a long time has been to find some one who would go with me to Italy as Bro. E. went with me to Germany, and who would stay to labor in Italy after I should finish my work and return. Some cannot go; others lack the spirit of the work. Whoever goes there must fare hard, not only from the opposition of wicked men, but even with respect to the necessities of life. Somebody is wanted for this place. The French language is spoken in this part of Italy. My present convictions of duty are to visit Italy within a few weeks, and to remain there perhaps for several weeks, or longer if it shall be found advisable. It is likely Bro. Albert Vuilleumier will go with me, but he can remain but a short time. I have been in anxious solicitude for a long time with respect to this case, and it now seems to me that the above is my proper course of action. But it is subject to whatever light the Spirit and the providence of God may yet shed upon it. Sometimes I think, though I dare not affirm it to be certainly true, that I would consent to be cut in many pieces if each piece might become a preacher of Christ. 3. My anxiety for Switzerland is inexpressible. Here are between seventy and one hundred good, sensible, kind, true-hearted Christian Sabbath-keepers. None among them are wealthy; perhaps none are above a very moderate competence, but none are in distressing poverty, and none are so helpless as to be entirely dependent upon others. I think highly of these dear Christian friends, and yet the first great want of the cause in Switzerland is the thorough conversion of the Sabbath-keepers. The real missionary spirit is certainly lacking. They will give of their means, but I fear they have not yet learned but in part to give themselves, to God. It seems to me that they do not understand what it is to be a living sacrifice themselves. In this important matter I cannot report the progress that I would. I hope sometime, with God’s blessing, to speak of the great things which he has wrought for the Swiss Sabbath-keepers. In many things God has sent us help, but the burden upon my heart is still heavy. Among these brethren are several persons who seem to me capable of becoming public laborers in the cause. But each one now has the burden of his own affairs upon his hands, and this is about all that each can well attend to, and they have not the zeal and interest in the cause of God which would carry them very far beyond this. In the matter of publishing a French paper no one is thoroughly competent to assist in the difficulties of the French language, and those most competent to help, especially if they could take some time to improve themselves, do not see how to devote much time to such work. It is in the highest degree important to have a paper at the earliest day possible. Under difficulties which have severely tried my courage and patience, I have labored to prepare for this. I pray God for such helpers and for such assistance from his Spirit and providence as shall make this possible. We have printed three thousand copies each of the first five tracts which have been prepared for translation. We have funds for printing others so soon as they shall be translated. 4. Individual Sabbath-keepers are scattered in Holland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and in Central Europe. With respect to these, I renew the suggestion made in a former letter. It is true that we lack experienced laborers for the work in the United States. I will therefore make no direct request for the coming of any of these unless in the providence of God it shall seem duty for some of these to be sent. But I do ask whether there are not young men of some or all of the above nationalities who have a good understanding of the truth, a knowledge of English as well as of their own language, a voice adapted to public speaking, and a real missionary spirit, who might be sent as helpers? If the General Conference Committee can find such persons, and if they see fit to send them I will go with such brethren to their several fields of labor and remain with each till he shall be fairly under way in his work, and then as I shall be compelled to leave him, I will maintain constant correspondence with him and hold myself in readiness to go to his assistance at any time. I ask special attention to this suggestion, unless some other seems better. But I beg for something to be done. God has been at work in these countries, not only through Sabbath publications from America, but, that he may show that this is his work, he has been raising commandment-keepers among people who have no knowledge that such Christians exist in the United States. I beg, then, for strong young men in the cause of Christ. And if in addition to these any of our experienced laborers may be sent to Europe I shall be more grateful than I have words to express. Undoubtedly we shall need pecuniary assistance. Yet I do not plead for this. But I beg with tears for men, true-hearted men of God, to enter this great harvest field. As to means, I feel safe to pledge the brethren in Switzerland and in Germany to do their whole duty. I have frankly said that in my judgment those of this country are not fully possessed of the true spirit of consecration and of sacrifice. But they have experienced reverses which have had their natural effect. I am encouraged, however, to hope that they will yet stand in the front rank with those who live alone for Christ. As it is God alone who can give the increase or make the work in Europe a success, I beg that all who have an interest in this work will offer fervent prayers to God that his special blessing may attend it. Deeply do I feel that the period for our work is now. We are hastening to the Judgment, where we shall be rewarded according to our works. It will be a terrible mistake if we come up to this great day of decision with our work undone, or done in so imperfect a manner that the Judge will not accept it. I gratefully acknowledge the reception of several copies of Bro. Smith’s excellent Sabbath poem, from some unknown friend. Also I have received from several friends copies of the Review, which after reading they have sent for distribution here. I will, to the best of my judgment, execute the wishes of the donors. Also several unknown friends have kindly sent me American papers and publications. I gratefully acknowledge these. I do not allow myself time to read them, but I am glad to glance them over so as to have some idea of events in America. Papers or pamphlets bearing upon important passing events will be thankfully received. I have one special request to make. Dr. Akers, in 1873, wrote a series of articles in the Central Christian Advocate, a Methodist paper published at St. Louis, in reply to my review of his Sabbath theory. The first article was published in the Advocate of Nov. 26. I have made earnest efforts to procure these articles, but have failed. Though I have no immediate present use for them, yet they may be of some importance hereafter, and if they are ever secured it must be soon. If any of our friends who live in Missouri or in the States bordering upon it, will endeavor to obtain from their Methodist friends the papers containing this series of articles they will place me under lasting obligation to them. My heart is wholly bound up in this sacred work. I have no desire but to live in the service of God. I do not ask that my burden shall be light, nor my situation pleasant, but I pray that while I live I may be the means of leading men from sin to righteousness. La Coudre, Neuchatel, Sept. 20.