Editorial Correspondence.
By Editor
WE are very happy to give good reports from the work in Europe. August 29th Bro. Andrews says :— I have no word of discouragement to write from this mission. God is here by his Holy Spirit to help in the accomplishment of his work. I am certain of this, though I have plenty of things to try my faith. I see the hand of God in the work, but it does not follow that there are no obstacles to be surmounted. I find as many as Satan is permitted to throw in the way, but hitherto the Lord has helped me. What he has done in the past he will still do in the future. And with his help nothing is impossible.381In Germany things go well. The Lord is blessing the labors of Bro. Ertzenberger not only for the instruction of the Sabbath-keepers but for the benefit of the public. He is at work in an entirely new field, the city of Solingen. His first congregation was 300 persons; and it has continued to increase. There seems to be deep feeling among the people. With God’s blessing there is reason to hope for important results from this series of meetings. I feel that God is truly with Bro. E. But I will say that he has had to meet the cruel working of Satan in Germany. It is here as in America. If there is any thing to do for the Lord, Satan will do all in his power to injure and to defeat the work. The first object which I am seeking to accomplish is the publication of a paper in French. I cannot express the intense anxiety of my heart to bring this to pass. Nor can I well state to those not here the difficulties in the way of the undertaking. This work will not be delayed an hour after it is possible to begin. Suitable help is lacking; those that are most competent to assist are so situated that they need to spend nearly all their time in their own business. But I hope with the help of God’s providence we may soon make a commencement. This may seem to our friends in America like a small thing, but it will be to us a great event. It will be as though we had ascended one hard hill, though we are well aware that other hills not less difficult are before us. But with God’s help all things are possible. I cannot doubt that God will grant success. What could be done in America if we had no papers? Comparatively little. And here in Europe, if possible, such instrumentality is even more necessary than in America. Our brethren and sisters stand firm in the truth as far as they have learned it. But their courage and their missionary spirit are less than they were before their troubles came upon them. I have no doubt but they will regain the lost ground, and yet stand far in advance of their past attainments. But the brethren in America know well that this is not accomplished without earnest effort, and that even then time is necessary. I have sought by every means in my power to change this state of things. But I have not found the task an easy one. I have found very kind friends, but I cannot say that they know the value of reproof, even as fully as do our brethren generally in America. The German brethren were cut to the heart and melted to tears by words of admonition and reproof which would by no means produce the like effect among the Swiss. I have received from the Office a generous supply of Health Reformers. I have taken some pains to procure the names and address of those who have some interest in Christian temperance, and who are able to read the English language. I shall, therefore, if God will, send them to every person of this class whose address I can procure. I have already sent to persons in Paris, Geneva, Lansanné, and Basel. With these also I have sent Reviews, Voices, SIGNS, and Instructors. I intend also to send them to Germany and to Holland. Though I have many papers from our Office since coming here, I have only a few on hand; for I have freely distributed them wherever I could find readers. I hope to report good fruit from the seed thus sown. Yesterday another person was baptized; she has become a Sabbath-keeper since our first baptism. We have here several persons who might make valuable laborers in the cause of God; but the most are so circumstanced that I know not how to get them into the work. My anguish of spirit is very great to see the work thus hindered. I long to witness the great salvation of God. I have had to labor under great difficulties. I think God is about to work in power in Switzerland, and to place in my hand greater facilities for the advancement of his work. I want men who can and will throw their whole energies into the work. I think I am willing to labor and to suffer. If I am not, God give me a heart that shall be thus willing. Again, Bro. Andrews writes, Sept. 20:— Before the assembling of the General Conference my interest with respect to it was great. 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. God is with Bro. Ertzenberger in Germany. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 post 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 prepared 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. 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 useless 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 plead, 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 request 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. 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.