REPORT FROM SWITZERLAND.
By John Nevins Andrews
We have many things which show that God is making our French paper a blessing to the people who receive it. From time to time we receive letters from strangers expressing their interest in the paper, sending the pay for their own copy and sending the names of persons at a distance to whom they have written recommending the paper, and to whom they ask that it may be sent on trial. Such letters give us great encouragement. In the course of a few months, if God shall prosper our efforts, we will be ready to publish a German edition of the SIGNS OF THE TIMES. This is greatly needed. We have more than half as many German Sabbath-keepers in Europe as we have of French brethren. Under the judicious labors of Bro. Ertzenberger our German brethren have made progress in the grace of God and in the knowledge of the truth, and God has added to their numbers. We must not delay the publication of our paper in German a single day after God in his providence shall render it possible and consistent to commence. But this new branch of the work demands a very great amount of labor both in the preparation for its commencement and in its execution, of which no report can be written. But it is work that must be done and if done faithfully will bear much fruit in time to come. Our brethren may be assured that we will use all possible diligence and faithfulness to hasten forward this German work, while at the same time the publication of the French paper and French tracts will be continued as at present. So there is more work than can be executed at once, even with others to help in the work. But while thus contemplating a German edition of our paper as a thing shortly possible, the question of a paper in Italian is brought also to our notice in a manner that seems like the clear indication of duty by the providence of God. Dr. H. P. Ribton of southern Italy has received copies of the SIGNS, and various publications both of the S. D. Baptists and of the S. D. Adventists. The perusal of these has caused Dr. R. to embrace the Bible Sabbath and the doctrine of the near advent of Christ, and send with this communication his last letter to me, also a letter designed for the REVIEW, and an article which he wishes to publish in Italian, but which he has translated into English for the REVIEW. It will be seen that through his instrumentality a brother has been converted, who is a thorough practical printer, and who understands both French and Italian. Bro. R. asks if we would like to issue an Italian edition of our paper. It certainly seems that God has begun to open the way for this even before we had thought it possible. I know we must mingle caution and prudence with zeal and activity, but if God has gone out before us to the battle it is time at least that we should stir ourselves to follow. We shall seek as a matter of principle to sustain European laborers with means raised here as far as possible. I know our brethren here are anxious to do this. Bro. Bourdeau is struggling more fully to establish the cause of truth in southern France. He has to contend with very serious difficulties, but he does not lack courage nor zeal nor the spirit of self-sacrifice. The laws of France are quite intolerant, and the adversaries of the truth are able to take advantage of those laws greatly to his embarrassment. Do not forget to pray for Bro. Bourdeau. His work is arduous, and his health is feeble. I never cease to feel an intense anxiety both with respect to his health and also that he may vanquish the difficulties which beset his mission in France. May God spare his life and help him wisely to arrange and accomplish his work within the limits of the just expenditure of his strength. If we do not report so often as our brethren desire, let them remember that though each day's labor is made as long as we can make it, it is almost impossible to find a moment's time for reporting; and let them judge of the nature of our present work by what we have indicated as to what must now be undertaken. Time flies, as we are admonished by the close of the year, but no day passes that we do not seek to make count all that is possible in the cause of Christ. Bâle, Switzerland, Dec. 31, 1876. P. S. I wish, as soon as my time and strength shall make it possible, to devote at least one column of our French paper to such passing events as are worthy to be chronicled as signs of the times. I should therefore be very grateful if our friends in America would send me from time to time papers, pamphlets, tracts, or whatever contains matter which seems to them capable of being of service in such a department or worthy of being translated for our paper. I here take occasion gratefully to acknowledge the papers sent in time past, often by unknown donors, and to say that such matter as was thought capable of being used has been cut out and carefully laid by for use. We hope to add greatly to the value and interest of our paper in time to come; yet each number is the very best that with our present resources we can possibly make it. And no pains should be spared upon a paper that must be printed in several of the languages of Europe.