In Transylvania by Guy Dail

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 15, 1914

In Transylvania

By Guy Dail

GUY DAIL

WE have just closed the fourth session of the Transylvanian Conference, convened here in the pleasant city of Nagy-Szeben (Hermannstadt), November 6-9. The thirty-one churches of the field (membership, seven hundred and three) were represented by about one hundred and fifty members, one third of whom were delegates.

A two days' institute for workers, colporteurs, and church officers preceded the conference proper. The time was profitably spent in studying the principles of church organization and government, and the best methods of soul winning in this part of the Danube Union. Aside from the assistance of the local workers, valuable and much appreciated help was rendered by Brethren J. T. Boettcher, vice president of the European Division Conference; H. F. Huenergardt, president of the Danube Union Conference; R. Cunitz, director of the West Hungarian Mission; and H. Boex, general canvassing agent of the Hamburg Publishing House.

In spite of the great damage done in some parts of the country by the floods that destroyed the harvest, the finances of the conference show a steady growth, and the ingathering of souls is encouraging, for one hundred and forty-six were received during the conference year, and three new churches were accepted into the conference at this meeting. The net gain was only ninety-four, several being lost by apostasy, a number by emigration, and some by death (one of whom, Max Loewinger, was a Bible worker).

There was a good missionary spirit manifest, and all took a deep interest in the work carried on in the regions beyond. The pledges amounted to 192 crowns, and 252 crowns [$51.15] cash were given on the Ten-cent-a-week Fund. The Sabbath school donations were nearly 54 crowns.

One of the most interesting features of the meeting was the baptism of twelve persons who accepted the truth and actually stepped out into the full light at this time. They were baptized on Sabbath, after the refreshing showers of God's Spirit had been felt during the forenoon service conducted by Brother Boettcher.

The strangers attending the public illustrated lectures, which were conducted in Hungarian, German, and Roumanian,—as indeed was necessary in all our meetings and conference proceedings,—manifested an earnest desire to hear the message, and we expect a still further harvest as the result of following up the interest created here, by a winter's course of lectures in the hall recently rented for that purpose.

We wish for the nine workers, under the leadership of Brother H. Meyer, the Lord's richest blessings for the coming year, as they labor for the four and one-half million Germans, Hungarians, and Roumanians in this land where so many persecuted Christians found refuge during the times of the Reformation.