In the Theiss-Save Mission by GUY DAIL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 22, 1914

In the Theiss-Save Mission

By GUY DAIL

GUY DAIL

THIS evening we successfully closed the second annual session of the Theiss-Save Mission, held here in the fine city of Temesvar, Hungary, November 19-23. At the beginning, difficulty was experienced in securing permission from the city government for the meeting and the accompanying lectures that had been somewhat prematurely announced by the printers' posting up our large handbills too soon. The officials at first refused to accord us the right of assembling (the larger number of the people are Roman Catholic), and we were plainly told that there were already enough "sects" in the town. Our brethren replied, however, that this question had nothing whatever to do with the matter, inasmuch as the Hungarian law allows perfect religious liberty; and by the successful interposition of one of the leading aldermen in our behalf, the necessary permission was granted at the last moment. For this we all thanked God.

The lectures were held in the most beautiful hall of the city. The strangers in attendance represented the higher classes; government officials, military officers, clergymen, one of the city editors, and students being in the audience. The interest awakened will be followed up by a series of lectures.

Most of our one hundred and seventy-six believers in the Theiss-Save field are Servians. Servia itself is a part of the territory in this mission. We were pleased to welcome several members of our Belgrade church, and were sorry that military restrictions prevented the coming of our brethren from the interior of Servia. There were also quite a number of Roumanians, Hungarians, and Germans at the conference. The proceedings of the meeting had to be held in these four languages,—Servian, Roumanian, German, and Hungarian. The message shows its power by the peace and unity it has brought to these believers who belong to such conflicting nationalities.

There has been hard work performed by the one ordained minister, three evangelists, and four Bible workers assisting Supt. R. Schillinger in scattering present truth among the four millions living within the borders of their field. There were six baptized at the meeting, making fifty-one thus received since Jan. 1, 1913.

Sabbath was the great day of the conference. The brethren had already given evidence of their love for the message by raising one thousand and four crowns for missions before voting on the resolution supporting the ten-cent-a-week plan. Brother Boettcher spoke on the cleansing of the leprosy of sin, and the Spirit of God sent conviction to the hearts of believers and friends, and a number renewed their consecration to the Lord, and others gave their hearts to the Master for the first time.

Brethren Huenergardt, Boex, and Braun were on the ground from abroad, to assist Elder Boettcher and the local workers in making the conference a success. The canvassing work especially has made great strides here, and the financial condition of the field has very materially strengthened since last year.

At the meeting one worker received telegraphic word of the death of his wife, who had been ill with consumption for two years, and another worker was handed a dispatch to report for army service. This man had formerly become an American citizen, but because of his love for the message, had renounced his rights as an American, and had again been enrolled among his own native countrymen, supposing that he would be free from the military service; however, immediately on being summoned, he left the conference and reported to his regiment for duty,—a practical illustration of the method we all ought to employ in entering the army of Jehovah, to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, the Captain of our salvation. We expect the coming year to be far better than any the Theiss-Save Mission has had. May God grant it.