OUR WORK IN EUROPE by John Nevins Andrews

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 12, 1877

OUR WORK IN EUROPE.

By John Nevins Andrews

I esteem it a great privilege to set before the friends of truth in America a statement of our work in Europe and of the progress that we are making. If we cannot speak of as much accomplished as we could wish, we can yet say that something has been done, and that we are by no means disheartened. The past year has been a year of severe labor and of toil that has never seen an hour for cessation. Twelve numbers of our French paper have been issued in as many months; also a considerable number of tracts in editions of five thousand each. When we began to print our paper I had no just idea of the serious task upon which I was entering. I believed it possible to get out a monthly paper the size of the ADVENT REVIEW, and to print one or more forms of a tract each month, and yet have considerable time to devote to the public ministry of God’s word. If this work of printing had been in the English language, I could easily have done this. I did not for a moment cherish the idea that my work in Europe was simply to get out a paper and tracts. Nor did I suppose that in the work of publishing I was taking upon myself a burden that would tax my strength to the utmost and leave me no time for other work.

I believed it possible to get ahead of my work and to have time to devote to public labor, and also to give a portion of my time each day either to the German or the French grammar. From necessity, I gave up nearly all correspondence, and even the reading of the Bible except for family worship or when studying it in the preparation of articles for our paper. But I could not get ahead of my work though I began very early and worked very late. In fact, it was a question whether I could get through with what I had undertaken. Twice, from exhaustion, I had periods of sickness, the second being a dangerous attack. But from the second sickness I have arisen with renewed health and strength that has been to me something wonderful. I can only say that it must be in answer to prayer. Though I had fallen much behind with the paper in consequence of my sickness, I have been able to print our twelfth number so as to mail it at the commencement of our twelfth month, and what is of great interest to me, for some weeks past I have been able to go out and give the Sabbath and first-day to the preaching of the word of God. I have found much help from God. And so I can say that a new era is commencing in my experience in Europe. With God’s blessing we can keep up the paper, and from this time forward I can give several days each week to the preaching of the word of God. I cannot express the joy that this thought gives me.

The first number of our second volume is nearly finished. As soon as this is printed, if God permit, I shall go to visit Dr. Ribton, of Naples. I have been in correspondence with him concerning such visit for a considerable time. His last letter mentions one fact that greatly cheers my spirit. He has been sending LES SIGNES DES TEMPS to Bro. Bertoli, of Alexandria, in Egypt, whom Bro. Ribton terms a true and faithful servant of Jesus Christ. Bro. Bertoli has embraced the Bible Sabbath. Let God be praised for this. I hope to remain in Italy two or three weeks. This will bring our second number a little behind, but we can soon get up again.

Our paper goes to many countries. It is sent to many parts of France, to the islands of Jersey and Guernsey on the coast of France, to the West India Islands, to various places in Africa, to Canada, to the United States, and to most of the countries of Western Europe. In the last number of LES SIGNES, I requested those who were not interested to receive our paper to notify me by returning their paper, and only three have been returned. Nearly all who receive our paper in Switzerland, in Italy, in Alsace, and in Germany have paid for it. So, also, have a considerable part of those who receive it in France and in America.

I must beg the friends in America to have all patience possible. You justly look for progress in the work in Europe. Your anxiety that we who are here should accomplish something for the cause of God is great, I know; but if you knew our anxiety, you would be satisfied we are not at ease in Zion. The burden is heavy upon our hearts when we fall asleep and heavy when we awake. But the Lord gives courage and strength and joy in the Holy Spirit.

It is a greater task to really master the French and German languages than I supposed. But I must accomplish it. Others could do this with less labor than myself, but I do not believe that many would try harder than myself or make more persistent efforts. Errors are readily pardoned in a foreigner who tries to speak a language not his own, but they are not pardoned if he writes for the public. They will inevitably render the writer and his subject a matter of ridicule. We must not print the truth of God in a foreign language, unless we can do it with a reasonable degree of accuracy.

Bro. Ertzenberger has taken time to revise three of our German tracts. I have taken the responsibility of printing Elihu for him, as he must have something to give the people when he preaches upon the Sabbath. He has begun a course of lectures in the city of Essen, with a good prospect of success. I think our brethren in Germany who have shared Bro. Ertzenberger’s labors have profited greatly by them. No means are required for his work in Germany.

Bro. Bourdeau has labored under great disadvantages in France. He has put forth as great efforts as were possible for him to make. God has given him some success. I think twenty persons have embraced the Sabbath since he began to labor at Valence. The future of France now looks very threatening. If I go to Naples, I shall probably see Bro. Bourdeau within a very few days.

I am grateful to God that the time has come that I can give a part of my time to the preaching of the word of God. I shall put forth my utmost efforts to keep up both branches of the work, the publication of the paper and the preaching of Christ and his truth. There are several in Switzerland who could render valuable assistance if they could give their time to the work. But some cannot because of worldly embarrassment, and others because of having to care for sick parents.

Bro. Aufranc has rendered great assistance. Without his help, I could not have got along with our work. But with my approval, he has devoted a large part of his time to giving instruction in French in this city. He has thus earned a large part of the means necessary for the support of his family. We have practiced economy in all our personal expenses. I have used my best efforts to conduct our business in a prudent manner. We have had nothing destroyed, broken, or lost. I think the prices paid for labor and for materials are such as will bear examination.

I recognize the hand of God in the wonderful restoration of my strength. God has heard prayer, I am certain. I ask that prayer may be offered, that God will give me the command of the German and the French languages. I shall put forth my best efforts; but there is nothing like the help of the Spirit of God. It will henceforward, as I trust, be possible to sustain both branches of the work, the printing and the preaching, and this, with the help of God, I shall strive to do. J. N. ANDREWS.

68 Müllerweg; Bâle, Suisse, June 21.