The Work in Europe by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 28, 1875

The Work in Europe.

By John Nevins Andrews

THE friends of the cause in America are no doubt deeply interested in the prosperity of the work in Europe. Our friends here are by no means indifferent to its advancement. In coming to Europe I have tried to prepare my heart to work for God by seeking his help and by solemnly covenanting with him to be faithful in his service. I have endeavored to review my past life, and to mark every error that if possible I may here labor for God to his entire acceptance. I feel strong assurance that he will enable me to do it.

My first important work here is to become master of the French language so as to speak it correctly and to write it grammatically. It is not a light task to accomplish this. I have toiled early and late, and have made some progress. I feel certain of success with God’s help. It is now the great desire of my heart to preach Christ in the French language with freedom, and to see sinners converted to him.

When I began to think seriously of this mission one of the first things which suggested itself to my mind was to advertise in the most widely circulated papers of Europe. While laboring to master French I have with the approval of our friends here begun this work. The Journal de Geneve is the leading French paper of Suisse. In this journal I have advertised the nature of my mission, and have invited the correspondence of any who hallow the Bible Sabbath or who are willing to investigate its obligation. My advertisement will be inserted every other day during sixty days. For this I pay 75 francs, or $15. I have received letters from a professor of languages at Geneva, and from the proprietor of one of the largest watch manufactories in that city. I have answered these as wisely as I could, and have sent them Sabbath publications. I hope to find some seventh-day Christians by means of this journal. But if I find none now observing it, I shall at least make known the fact and object of my mission, and shall probably find some persons who may have an interest to examine the claims of God’s holy law.

I wish also to advertise in the leading German paper of Suisse, for the German language is as extensively spoken in this country as is the French. I have heard that there are seventh-day Christians in Holland, and I mean as soon as possible to advertise in one of the principal papers of that country. And so with respect to Russia.

As to Prussia, something further must be done immediately. I have mentioned the fact that there is a company numbering forty who have within a short time embraced the Sabbath. These persons call earnestly for help. Nothing has held me back from visiting them except the difficulty of finding some suitable German helper to go with me. I think that within a few days this help will in some way be supplied. They are situated about two hundred and fifty miles north of this place. I should prefer to let German alone till I have mastered French; but circumstances seem to compel a different course.

The difficulties in the way of the work here cannot be fully realized in America. If each State of the American Union spoke a different language, things there would so far correspond with things in Europe. In America, the power of custom and of forms is comparatively weak. In Europe, custom and tradition are all-powerful. But here are multitudes in perishing need of the bread of life. They must have it. I cannot doubt that there is as great moral honesty with the people here as in America. They only need to understand their duty in order to obey it. I have an intense desire to witness their salvation. There can be no more precious thought suggested to my mind than that by God’s help I may be the means of saving some. Our Lord is coming. I pray that he may find me faithful to the work which he has committed to my charge. If this may be my record in the coming day it will be enough. J. N. ANDREWS.

Neuchatel, Suisse, Jan. 1, 1875.