p. 174 | Report from Germany by J. Ertzenberger

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 2, 1875

Report from Germany.

By J. Ertzenberger

The opposition mentioned in my report of Sept. 29 is on the increase, and it has become pretty malignant. It is sad to say that this is not from indifferent and worldly people, but from those who profess to be the very best Christians; but however high their profession may be, their doings are evil. As friendly as were many at first, so bitter are they at present. As much as many liked to see and to know me at Solingen then, so much they wish me at the antipodes now.

Although people have been warned from the pulpit not to attend my lectures; although prayers have been made concerning me in the public assemblies, to influence the people against me; although there are those who have gone from house to house to keep the people back; although false reports have been spread through the city and vicinity, the enemy has not been able to break up the lectures. And although the Social Democrats attempted to get possession of the lecture-room, the work has not been stopped. The lectures have been held regularly. I have also kept on visiting from house to house. I am astonished to see how disturbed the spirits of the people are. Many are very much in favor of what has been said in these lectures, and many are bitterly opposed.

The other day as I visited a family, who should come in but the elder of the church to which this family belonged. As he had spoken of me in another family as a man who is teaching false doctrines and deceiving souls, I asked him to justify himself before this family in which we found ourselves. Although I spoke friendly to him, he became agitated, and, trembling, said, “I will have nothing to do with you.” But, said I, you spoke of me as teaching false doctrines, and deceiving the people by them. Please tell us in what way this has been done; and do not forget that if you cannot prove your words to be the truth, you will not only be guilty of calumniation, but also of hindering souls from hearing the truth. Do not forget that we must give account of our words. But he gave again the first answer.

As I pressed him some, and as he saw that his friends were not satisfied with his course, he asked me, “Are you not keeping the Saturday?” Of course I am, was my reply. “Then you are keeping a Jewish day, and trying to bring others to do the same.” You mistake, sir, it is the Lord’s day, or the rest-day of God, said I. He went on: “We see that the first Christians kept Sunday, and we follow their example.” On this I asked him to justify his last assertion by the sure word of God. Again he took refuge in his first answer, but his friends urged him to speak. Then he said, “In Acts it is written that they met together on the first day to break bread.” Acts 20:7.

Having explained the matter as it stands, I asked for another proof. He had none. “But,” he said, “you teach the sleep of the dead, although we read of souls crying under the altar. Thus your teaching is against the Scriptures.” As I tried to speak on this subject, setting before him the teaching of the Bible, he became much agitated, and hastily took his hat and left. His friends besought him to remain, but he replied, “No; I will no longer hear such a man, and if you like to hear him any farther, then go and hear him.”

The whole family were sadly disappointed to see their elder act thus. And as they regarded him a very good Christian, they felt deeply for him. I, too, was sorry, but could not help his conduct. Such were his arguments against plain Bible facts, and such was the justification of one of the best of Christians, as he was regarded, for his words spoken against me in another family.

At the close of a lecture which was held a few days later, a gentleman took me to his house. Being favorably impressed by the truths he heard, he was very friendly to me. After a while four men came in, members of the denomination to which he belonged. Among them was the elder. They inquired why he (the gentleman) had discontinued coming to their church. He stated his reasons: “Never have I heard the word of God plainer spoken, and at no place more clearly presented than in these lectures. The Bible never appeared more precious to me, than since I heard this man. At first my heart revolted against him, but I must say it is the plain Bible truth which he is teaching us. And since I have heard him speak on the practical life of a Christian, I feel the great necessity of coming up to it. Such truths I never heard among you.”

This was too much for them; and, not without reason, I feared their anger would turn against me. I sought the Lord from the depths of my heart, to assist me, that I might stand the trial and glorify his name. My fears were realized. As they could not deny the facts which were placed before them, they resorted to means of a very low kind. According to the words of this elder, I am working for money and for nothing else. He dared to say, We have enough such vagabonds to-day, as you. Seeing that their assaults had no effect on me, he said: “You see that nothing affects his heart.” And in an agitated manner they left the room.

The Lord assisted me greatly. I spoke but little. Seeing they acted thus, I left them the chance to show their bitterness and hatred against me. The words in Matt. 5:11, 12, were never more precious to me than on that occasion. Surely the Lord was a present help. To him be all the praise. The gentleman and his wife, although they have been members of that church for several years, have resigned their connection with it since this interview. May they walk in the light they have received.

The pastor of the National church, who told me that the Bible contains many contradictions, and that St. Paul greatly erred when writing on the second coming of Christ, says now that I spoke thus. Thus he adds to his words of a fearful tendency a great lie.

I could add still more to this list of facts; but these are enough. It is a most alarming thing, that leading men of the different denominations can act in such a way. What a pity for souls who are intrusted to such men! How needful to sound the alarm! May God’s Spirit work more. And may I be kept from the snares of the devil. Pray for me.

Yours, with Christian love,

J. ERTZENBERGER.

Vohwinkel, near Elberfeld, Prussia, Oct. 26, 1875.