The Great Second Advent Movement: Its Rise and Progress

The Message in Germany and Russia

An English writer, Mourant Brock, informs us that “in Würtemberg there was a Christian colony numbering hundreds, who looked for the speedy advent of Christ.” The doctrine was proclaimed in other parts of Germany by Hengstenberg, at that time said to be the most talented theologian in Germany. GSAM 102.3

In the The Review and Herald, December 13, 1892, Pastor L. R. Conradi of Germany says:— GSAM 102.4

“Bengel, in Germany, kindled the love for the appearing of our Lord in many a heart, which led thousands to study the prophetic word as never before.... The light shone in Germany, and publications showing the application of the twenty-three hundred days were circulated there. A religious awakening followed, especially in Würtemberg, and as persecution arose, hundreds of families went to Southern Russia, and there spread it among their own countrymen who had moved there many years before. As the pastors closed their churches, with very few exceptions they would hold their ‘stunden’ or ‘hour’ of meetings, in private houses, and hundreds were converted. Even at that time the Sabbath was discussed among them, but no one making a start, it was smothered. A Russian farmer was converted in the ‘stunden,’ and then began the same work among the Russians. This finally led to the great ‘Stundist’ movement of the present day, whose influence extends to the most distant corner of Siberia and the Trans-Caucassus.” GSAM 102.5

In the The Review and Herald, July 31, 1891, is a statement from Pastor Conradi respecting Brother Sch”che of Australia, who, at the time of which he speaks, was a resident of Silesia, and labored a part of the time in the interest of the home mission of Father Gosner, a noted German evangelist divine. From Brother Sch”che he gives the following respecting Kelber’s book:— GSAM 103.1

“After 1836, or when Bengel’s Computation had expired, there appeared in the Schweidnitz county paper a notice from the bookstore of Mr. Sommerfeldt there, concerning a book from L. Henry Kelber, concerning the great and glad events which were to take place in the years 1843 and 1844. The exact title of the book I do not remember. We procured the said book, and read it with a number of interested persons, with locked doors, in the year 1839-40. The book showed from Daniel, and the Revelation, and Matthew 24, that the end was at hand, and had also a table of computation showing how the above was reached.” GSAM 103.2