Missionary Department by John Nevins Andrews

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 13, 1875

Missionary Department.

By John Nevins Andrews

"Philip saith unto him, Come and see." John 1:46.

Mission to Europe.

RETURN TO SWITZERLAND.

WHEN my work in Prussia was finished, I hastened my return to Switzerland. Bro. Ertzenberger kindly accompanied me to Cologne to aid me in setting out, and then returned to enter upon a course of lectures at Hilden. As we separated we commended each other to the blessing of God, which can alone give us success in his work. From Cologne my route was up the west bank of the Rhine to Mayence, where I crossed to the east side and made my way direct to Basel by way of Darmstadt and Carlsruhe. From Mayence to Carlsruhe my only companion in the compartment of the car which I occupied was an officer of the Prussian army. He saw that I had some difficulty in talking with the conductor and volunteered to aid me, saying that he understood a little English. I thought it a favorable time to learn something concerning the bearing of military affairs upon our own people, as he seemed interested to talk with an American, and very free to give me any information. In answer to my questions, he gave a very interesting account of the discipline in the Prussian army.

The military authorities consider it of great consequence that a soldier should have some education; for his officer is often compelled to depend upon his judgment as to what he has seen, and to accept his statements, which are often of little value unless he has ability to calculate. He said that when the officers find an ignorant soldier, the government takes the case in hand and traces it out till they ascertain where this man was brought up, and then they punish that village or city for allowing a young man to grow up among them in ignorance. If ignorance makes a man unfit to serve as a common soldier in the Prussian army, is it no detriment to Christ's soldiers, who have to act in matters of infinitely greater consequence?

I asked this officer if they ever had cases of persons who thought it not right to bear arms. He said that they had quite a number of such cases. I asked him what they did with such persons, whether they shot them, or whipped them, or inflicted violence upon them in any way. He said that they did none of these things, but either imprisoned them, or made them work upon the fortifications or in the hospitals. I thought it important to learn this, as the discipline of the Prussian army is well known to be very severe, and as war is liable to break out at any time.

After he had spoken much concerning military matters, he said he would like to know for what purpose I had come to Europe. This was just the question I wished him to ask. I told him that I had come to Europe for the purpose of showing the people that the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven is now very near at hand; and also that I might call their attention to the fact that they are breaking the fourth commandment of the law of God in not hallowing the day of the Creator's rest. I proceeded to give my reasons, very briefly indeed, but with some degree of distinctness, and as he had invited me to speak he had the courtesy to listen. He said these things were all new to him. I promised him some books, and have fulfilled the promise as far as my supply would admit.

In reporting our meeting at Hilden, I omitted to mention that a Baptist lady, who had formerly lived in Wirtemberg, said that during the past twenty-five years some thousands of people in that part of Germany have embraced the faith of the near advent of Christ. The lady herself is one of the number. I regret to add, however, that these people have adopted the idea that they must remove to Palestine, and that many have actually gone thither. This lady did not adopt this view, and I think others did not also.

When I reached Basel, I called again on the printer of whom I have spoken, and had an interesting interview with him and his family. Basel is a beautiful city on the frontiers of Germany and Switzerland, and near to France. I have a great desire to hold meetings in this city. And now, having returned to Switzerland, my constant prayer is that the work of God may here begin to advance in a powerful manner.

J. N. A.

La Condre, Neuchatel, Swisse.