Letter From a German Brother.
By Johan Lerreth
MUCH BELOVED BRETHREN: My greeting is, Peace be with you. For a long time I have wished to tell you something about the state of things here; want of time, however, seemed constantly to prevent me from doing so. Permit me, dear brethren, first, to make a few statements in regard to my own course through life. I was born in the neighborhood of Odessa, in southern Russia. My father was a strong reformist, and, consequently, I was brought up in the bosom of the Reformed church, to whose doctrines I became strongly attached. But through the mercy of God, I was, in my seventeenth year, sufficiently converted to behold myself a sinner. In my twenty-second year I went to America. I here came in contact with the Baptists, against whom I was very much opposed. But as soon as I saw the necessity for true baptism I was baptized, and about three months later, my wife took the same step, both of us thereby becoming members of the Baptist society. I was baptized on March 20, 1877, and from that time onward I kept studying the word of God, seeking the whole truth. In the same year, two Adventist brethren went through here, distributing and selling tracts concerning the Sabbath. One of the Baptists in my neighborhood bought one, and read it on a Sunday before the whole meeting. We all became much interested, and began anew to seek the truth. But this feeling died out after a short time; only, however, to rekindle much stronger after the space of about one year. As soon as we were satisfied in regard to the holiness of the Sabbath of the Lord, five of us concluded to follow the commandments in this respect also. This was in June, 1878; and the persons, Valentin Beer, Philip Sattler, John Rieb and wife, and myself. My four brethren live together, but about thirty miles from my place. Though we, on account of the distance, cannot come together very often during the summer, yet in the fall we have meetings frequently, and brethren from still more distant places visit us, so that we now number about thirty souls who are keeping the Sabbath according the word of God. Of course it has been very trying for me, since my brethren live at so great distances. My wife was also very bitterly opposed to my faith; and, to make it still harder, my father, who is quite wealthy and has considerable influence in the Reformed church, came on a visit from Russia. Many contests there were, but I always felt myself stronger in my faith after them, for by discussing the subjects I beheld more clearly the error of his views. You may imagine, dear brethren, how happy I was when I met with any of like faith, to whom I could open my heart, and then receive new strength and courage from them. Oh, how happy I felt when I met with brethren Eldon H. Pullen and D. T. Biggs upon the streets in Souix Falls! As already mentioned, my wife was very much opposed to my views! but I am happy to say to-day that she is now keeping the Sabbath.