Editorial Correspondence.
By John Nevins Andrews
I GRATEFULLY acknowledge the reception of a bundle of Holland tracts, and have also to report that the most of these were on their way to Holland by the next mail. I hope for good fruit from these tracts. I sent them to those with whom I have corresponded, and to several of these correspondents I sent also a letter bringing before them the claims of the Bible Sabbath, and an epitome of our faith. Our second baptism was an occasion of much interest. The place is a beautiful spot near the north end of Lake Neuchatel. Eight persons were baptized. Two of these were a Methodist brother and his wife, who have this summer begun to hallow the Bible Sabbath. He appears to be a man of God. He is deeply interested in the study of the Scriptures, and very zealous to teach those who are in darkness. I have taken much pains to help him, and I feel very hopeful in his case. He had begun to preach among the Methodists, and now since learning the nearness of the second advent of Christ, the commandments, and the Sabbath, he is very desirous of telling his German friends what he has learned. So with the approval of the committee he has already begun to labor publicly, and with a fair prospect of success. He seems to be a man of a humble spirit, and to be willing to labor without inquiring what remuneration shall be made him. He supports himself with his own labor and preaches on Sabbath and first-day. His wife appears to be of the same mind with him. Since my separation from Bro. Ertzenberger, I have been in constant correspondence with him. His labors have been faithful and untiring in Germany. He has had peculiar difficulties to contend with, and has, I think, stood in the counsel of God and acted with wisdom and with humility. His labors have been a great blessing to the German brethren, and a few have embraced the Sabbath through his instrumentality. He has just entered upon a course of lectures in a new field. May the Lord make him the instrument of great good in Germany. My first great object to accomplish in Switzerland is the publication of a paper in French. The most, even of our own people here in this country, can have no real idea of the work in America as our publications are all in English with the exception of a few tracts. The day which witnesses the publication of a paper in French in behalf of the cause of truth will mark a new era here. The time is at hand when with God's blessing we will have this. I miss no opportunity to teach the truth, but my principal effort is to thoroughly master French. For various reasons this has been not simply a painstaking labor but one of real pain. It does not give me much to report that is of interest to the brethren in America, and I well know that they watch with prayerful interest the progress of the week in Europe. Yet this preparatory work is absolutely necessary. They may be sure of one thing: I am at work, as wisely as I know how, and to the full extent of my strength. Though I have obstacles to surmount, I feel that the Lord is present to help. My courage is good, though I see not yet how everything is to be done. We need a man of God to give himself to the work in Italy in the region where sister Revel lives. This is the first person in Europe who embraced the Sabbath under the labors of Eld. M. B. C. I would go with such laborer and remain for a time, as I did with Bro. Ertzenberger in Germany. And what shall be done for the Sabbath-keepers in Russia? There are certainly many of them, and I hope they are people who fear God. Is there no Russian Sabbath-keeper in the United States? We must soon open communication with these people.