A New Union in Central Europe
By L. R. Conradi
FROM July 19 to 28, 1912, the West German Union had its regular session at Friedensau. In view of the fact that the fields are being divided more and more, and inasmuch as we had an especially large meeting last year, it was supposed that this year's meeting would not be nearly so large. But some time before the meeting, all the tents and all the rooms available had been filled; and when our people crowded into the large tent which we had last year, but without the addition, it was more than full. A goodly number from the East German Union attended the meeting. Many came before the meeting began, and on the eighteenth a special evening service was held. As at this time a new union was to be separated from the West German Union, we had a number of union conference presidents present.—Elder J. T. Boettcher from Russia, Elder L. P. Tieche from the Latin Union, Elder H. F. Schuberth from the East German Union, and Brother J. G. Oblaender. There was also a full quorum of the European Division of the General Conference Committee. By the time the new union was organized, we had no less than seven members of the committee on the ground, and we held quite a number of important committee meetings. Elder J. Erzberger preached the opening sermon Friday night, and the writer spoke on the Sabbath. Hundreds came forward to seek the Lord, and about fifty offered themselves for baptism. All the fields were fully represented by delegates, and several new conferences and mission fields were received. The Upper Rhenish, the Hessian, the Wurtemberg, and also the Central German Conference, which the East German Union had ceded over, were received by the West German Union, and also the Bohemian and Moravian-Silesian mission fields. Elder Oblaender's report was very interesting, showing a net gain in membership of 1,400 for the two years, the membership at the time of the meeting being 7,302. All the delegates felt that the time had indeed come for a division. As the new field takes in the southern portion of Germany, German Switzerland, and Austria, the name Central European Union was unanimously adopted. The following conferences and fields were then separated from the West German Union: The South German, Wurtemberg, Bavarian, and German-Swiss Conferences, and the Austrian, Moravian-Silesian, and Bohemian mission fields. The membership of the new union was 2,632. Its staff of workers includes twenty ordained ministers, thirteen licentiates, and about sixty Bible workers. A good force of canvassers is also in the field. After careful consideration, Elder O. E. Reinke was unanimously chosen for the union president. Elder Reinke will also continue to act as president of the German-Swiss Conference for the present. Basel will be the headquarters of the new union. The West German Union will finance the field until Jan. 1, 1913, when the new organization will go fully into force. Both the West German and the Central European Union will send their second tithe to the European Division of the General Conference from January 1. As the East German Union has decided to do likewise, the General Conference will have over $20,000 second tithe to use in its mission work. According to their estimate, the Central European Union will probably need an appropriation of $4,000, and the Danube field about $10,000, so that there will be a net surplus of about $6,000 for other fields. The sessions of the West German Union were marked throughout with a spirit of unity, and Elder Oblaender was unanimously reelected union president. The key-note of the meeting was the missionary spirit, and when the question was put as to how many of the workers were ready to accept calls to foreign fields, about sixty-five offered themselves, and later a number of the young people volunteered. The second Sabbath was also a good day. Quite a number sought special help. In the afternoon Brethren R. Rall and O. Gassmann were ordained to the gospel ministry. Elder H. Steiner, who with his wife has a good knowledge of the French, as well as of the German, and also knows some English, accepted the call to the Abyssinian field. They and Brother and Sister Seiler and Brother Palm, who are going to German East Africa, were presented before the Lord, special prayer being offered in their behalf. There were numerous discussions dealing with the needs of the fields, and a number of resolutions were passed. Much of the time was spent in giving instruction to the people, gospel workers, canvassers, presidents, and union presidents. All appreciated the advice given. The offerings for missions were very good, and we were pleased to know that the German-Swiss Conference during the last twelve months had given an average of ten cents a week a member to missions. Besides the men already mentioned, Elders G. Dail, O. Luepke, L. Voigt, and Boex, and Dr. E. Meyer, as well as the local men, helped in the meetings. The Hamburg Seventh-day Adventist Society and the German Health Association had their annual meetings at the same time, and elected their officers. The creation of the two new unions left the institutional arrangement untouched, except that the board of trustees was increased by the addition of Brethren Reinke and Huenergardt. Our institutions had had the best year they had ever enjoyed. Several hundred canvassers had been added in these unions, and the sales had increased by $40,000. Both Hungary and Austria were supplied with good general agents from Germany, and we believe that as a result, the work will advance in these more difficult countries. The sales of our health food store in Hamburg had doubled within two years, and with the sales at Friedensau, had almost reached the sum of $100,000. A number of outsiders attended the services on Sunday. The Magdeburg and Burg newspapers gave reports of our meeting. Friedensau will ever be a sacred spot to our people on account of the many blessings they have received there from year to year. As the Central European Union, with its 35,000,000 persons, has quite a Catholic population, and as there are many grave obstacles to be overcome in the presentation of the third angel's message, we should surely remember it in our prayers, that all the parts that are not entered may soon hear the glad tidings of the message.