IN EUROPE by George C. Tenney

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 11, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 44.

IN EUROPE.

By George C. Tenney

ONE who travels in the United States has but few of the real difficulties to meet that he encounters on a tour through the countries of Europe. To appreciate the situation fully let him imagine that State lines are the boundaries of distinct countries, under different government, with different languages, currency, stamps, and regulations; and that these now invisible boundaries were marked by customhouses, and generally by a change of cars; and if to the situation now presented he adds the usual fact that he cannot understand the language, does not know what to do, where or when to do it, and cannot inquire, nor understand the answer if he does, then he can think of some of the annoyances that continually haunt the stranger in the Old World. Happy is the traveler who enjoys the advantage of the company of some kind friend who will act as guide and interpreter, and listen with patience to his scolding because things are not as they are in that wonderful country he calls home.

We have had that good fortune on our present trip, through the kindness of different brethren. On our way from Amsterdam to Hamburg we happened to get on a train that did not take us directly through, and consequently the monotony of the night's trip was broken by three changes of cars, one walk through a city at midnight, and a wait of four hours in the latter part of the night.

Hamburg has, through its cholera experience, obtained a reputation that does not appear to be true to its real standing. To a casual visitor it presents anything but an unclean or infectious appearance. On the other hand, its appearance is very pleasing, and with its spacious parks, well-kept and tidy streets, its substantial buildings, and orderly government, it gives evidence at once of being a first-class city in every respect. It contains over 700,000 inhabitants, and is by far the most important commercial city of the German Empire. A vast and important undertaking of the government is now about being accomplished, which is the construction of a ship canal by which the largest steamships can pass from the Baltic to the North Sea in German territory.

This canal runs from Hamburg on the Elbe to Kiel, the most important naval port of the empire, situated on the Baltic. The distance is about eighty miles. Within the harbor of Hamburg is a very extensive free port, where goods and manufactures from any country may be entered without duty; they may also be manufactured there, and shipped or reshipped to any other country, and no customs are collected except upon those that go into Germany outside of the free port. So that so far as customs are concerned it is practically a foreign port within their own harbor, and of course is a great advantage to those doing business with other countries.

Our work was started in Hamburg about three years since, and though no extensive effort has been made, its progress has been steady. A few workers have done what they could, and there are now about 120 Sabbath keepers in the city and in one of its suburbs. In view of the importance of the city in its relation to a large part of the eastern world, it has been decided to make more of an effort there. Looking to the establishment of the work there, the General Conference voted to appropriate $15,000 to the obtaining of suitable buildings for mission and depository purposes. At the present time it seems probable that we shall be highly favored with an opportunity to purchase on reasonable terms a place that is just adapted to the wants of the cause, and thus avoid the trouble and delay of erecting a building.

Our stay in Hamburg has been but brief, two days at different times, as we passed through, but our acquaintance with the work and the workers has been interesting and enjoyable. In the near future, under the blessing of God, we anticipate that an extensive and most important work will grow out of what has been and is being done.

Our first objective point was Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, the route to which lay through Hamburg. From Hamburg we journeyed by rail to Kiel, thence by steamer across the southeast end of the Baltic Sea to Korsör, on the Danish island of Sjælland, formerly Zealand. On the eastern shore of this island, which is the most easterly portion of the kingdom of Denmark, Copenhagen is situated, within sight of the shore of Sweden. It has the reputation of being a very beautiful and orderly city, which it seems to well deserve. Copenhagen is credited with a population of over 300,000. The country at large is a fertile and prosperous agricultural district, and the people are sober, industrious, and frugal. A system of fresh water lakes, walled and bridged, extends through a main portion of the city, adding both to the appearance and healthfulness of the place.

Our denominational work in Denmark has been prosecuted with some success; indeed, the labor put forth has been well rewarded in the acceptance of the truth by quite a number of the people, and the organization of a separate Conference. The latest reports give 10 churches and 380 members. For three years a school for the benefit of young people who contemplated entering the work has been conducted in temporary quarters in the city, under the care of Elder M. M. Olsen. It has been successful in its work, and has demonstrated the utility and necessity of a more permanent school of the same nature.

When we reached the city, the annual meetings were in progress. The Conference and other business meetings were already past, and there remained a week of the biblical institute that was being conducted by Brother Haskell. There were present at this meeting representatives from all the Scandinavian countries. The occasion was made a council for the work in these countries. And the question of a school was the most prominent one before the meeting. It was decided to move toward the establishment of such a school, and it was thought that the most feasible location would be at Fredrickshavn, at the northern extremity of Denmark, where it will about equally well accommodate Norway and Denmark. It is also adjacent to Sweden, and for a time it is proposed to make provision for a Swedish branch of the school, expecting that the time will come when Sweden will require a school of its own.

Other matters of interest and importance came up before the meeting. It appears that the prospects of the work were never before so good in Scandinavia as at the present time. In Finland, especially, where the work has just been opened, and where the power of oppression is very heavily felt, as it is a province of the Russian Empire, there is a readiness to hear and accept the truth that has not been equaled, as we were told, in any other of the Scandinavian countries.

One observes in this people very much that is attractive, with a simplicity of character that leads them to receive the truth in the love of it. And yet it is painfully evident that sin has made its mark in these countries as well as others. As in other European countries, militarism prevails. Many of the men on the streets are in uniform, and soldiers are everywhere under training.

From this point we returned to Hamburg on our way to the meeting in Switzerland. The harbor of Kiel presents a very interesting appearance as it is entered from the sea. On either side the most formidable fortresses, crowned with immense cannon, frown upon the passers-by. Inside the harbor are anchored the flower and strength of the German navy,—massive ironclads, active torpedo boats, and every class of war vessel lying with steam up, in momentary readiness for the great struggle that is being so mysteriously delayed. G. C. TENNEY.