p. 12 | A TOUR IN EUROPE by George C. Tenney

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Oct 9, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 48.

A TOUR IN EUROPE.

By George C. Tenney

COLOMBIER is an old village on the banks of Lake Neufchatel, four miles from the city. Here on a low strip of ground near the lake we found the camp of the Central European Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Our traveling company consisted of Elders O. A. Olsen, S. N. Haskell, L. R. Conradi, and the writer. The meeting was under the charge of Elder H. P. Holser, assisted by the laborers of the Conference, and at the time of our arrival, the first service was already over. Sixteen small tents and three large ones comprised the camp, and the register showed that during the meeting there were about 130 persons encamped. Elder Haskell took up a line of Bible instruction, which was followed throughout with very much profit. Elder Olsen spoke from time to time on various topics of a timely and significant nature. These discourses were given in the English language and were translated into Scotch, French, and German. In the evening and upon Sundays sermons were delivered by Elders Ertzenberger, Conradi, Comte, Klein, and Keller, direct in the languages mentioned.

The interest of the meeting increased to its close, and its effect upon the surrounding community was very perceptible. Just across the road was the training ground of a large body of soldiers, and at first they appeared to think our camp was a very lucky thing in their line, for while it was being erected they took possession and posted guards at every tent, demanding a password from the passers-by in real military style. They did this for practice, and without interfering with the work. And after the meeting began, we saw them make a sham attack on us, skulking up behind hedges and making the welkin ring with their firing and shouts of command. But as the meeting proceeded, they seemed to recede further and further, till they were too far away to cause the least disturbance. Many of the soldiers came on the ground, and the attendance of citizens was very good, but from first to last there was not the least semblance of disorder or disrespect. The most courteous conduct was exhibited by everyone. I confess to a happy surprise on this point, after having seen the situation at the beginning. Surely peace gained her victory there. All felt that the meeting had been a very pronounced success. Some steps of importance were taken, especially those looking to the extending of their educational work.

Leaving the camp on Monday morning, August 21, we proceeded to Basel, stopping at the office a few hours, and then traveled north to Mayence and Bingen on the Rhine, where we took a steamboat for the descent of that stream. Opposite the starting place, on the heights of the Niedewald, is the colossal monument of victory erected by Germany to commemorate the outcome of the last war with France.

To describe in detail the scenes of that day would trespass too far upon the forbearance of editor and readers, hence we shall have to dismiss a most interesting day's experience by simply alluding to it. The scenery is very romantic and the romance is increased by very numerous castles in ruins, which look down from the overhanging heights, and still further by legends and historical facts that are connected with many of them.

We passed the cities of Coblenz and Bonn, and at six in the evening went ashore at Cologne. Below this point there is nothing especially attractive to the river. At Cologne we visited the famous cathedral, which, outside of Rome, is the most impressive church structure I have ever seen. Its construction covered more than a thousand years of time and it was only completed in 1880. No description that I could give could impart an idea of the beautiful grandeur of this temple,

either in its exterior or interior aspects. In its Gothic towers and flying buttresses, it approaches the style of the Milan cathedral, but excels it in every respect of outline and detail.

A rapid trip to Hamburg over an uninteresting country closed this tour. Here we were in time to attend and address the first meeting of the institute to be held in that city, August 23 to September 12. A very convenient place in the outskirts of the city had been obtained, which would serve both for church and dwelling. The attendance was larger than was anticipated, and an excellent spirit seemed to prevail, which bespoke a successful meeting. It was with regret that I took my leave of them on the morning of August 24, and went on shipboard for America.

Our vessel is the Augusta Victoria, of the Hamburg packet line, and for second class accommodations it is quite superior to the other transatlantic lines I have become acquainted with. We are now in mid ocean, looking backward with interest and affection toward the work in Europe and the many good people connected with it, and praying that God may greatly bless it and them. The traveler in Europe meets with the ordinary trials of America and with some that he will deem extraordinary. The sea voyage, too, is a matter of questionable comfort, even at its very best. And so it is with life—the good and the evil appear side by side, the desirable and the disagreeable, the encouragement and the obstacle. God hasten the time when the evil shall be eliminated, when there shall be no more sea, but one language, and the people all righteous.

G. C. TENNEY.