General Conference Bulletin, vol. 5

EXPERIENCES IN EUROPE: OPENING GERMAN EAST AFRICA

L. R. Conradi

Talk by L. R. Conradi, Sabbath Evening, April 4

When we look at the spread of the gospel, we find that the gospel message began to be proclaimed in the East (pointing to a large map of the world), here in Jerusalem. The Lord said that from Jerusalem the message of truth was to go to Samaria, and from there to the ends of the earth. By tracing the history of the work of the apostles, as recorded in the book of Acts, we find that the gospel, first preached in Jerusalem, and afterwards carried into Samaria, was proclaimed by the great apostle Paul in many cities of Asia Minor. When this apostle came up to Troas, a city just across the strait from Europe, he had a vision. In the night season there appeared to him a man from Macedonia, who said, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” At the present time, Macedonia is a part of the Turkish Empire in Europe. GCB April 8, 1903, page 127.7

When Paul saw this vision, and heard the call, he immediately responded, going across into Europe. He established churches in Macedonia,—in Thessalonica, Philippi, and other places. Then he went to Athens, the capital of Greece, and later to Rome, the center of the political world at that time. From Rome the truth extended throughout Europe. Several centuries later, at the time of the Reformation, the great centers of the message of truth were farther west and north,—in Switzerland, Germany, and England. GCB April 8, 1903, page 127.8

But the truth was to go still farther west. We find the last reformation, the three messages which are to prepare the world for the coming of the Lord, first advanced and proclaimed in the Western hemisphere, in the New World. To-night we find ourselves assembled in Oakland, Cal., on the very shores of the Pacific. We could not go much farther west than we have gone. GCB April 8, 1903, page 127.9

The time has now come for this message to go with power from on high from the west to the east. Thus the whole world will be lightened. How thankful I am to-night to be able to say that this time has come! We are here to present before you facts to show you that the truth is returning to the very points from which it started; and to-day Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, and all these other different points where once the apostles labored, are beginning to hear the truth again, the last message of mercy. And not only these countries, but Egypt, a land that we find mentioned in the early Bible story, is awakening, and feeling the power of the message. From Egypt and from other lands in the East appeals are coming in for the messengers of truth to go there. GCB April 8, 1903, page 127.10

In a partial report I have presented before you the work and the needs of the British Union Conference, with over a thousand members; the Scandinavian Union Conference, with over two thousand members; and the German Union Conference, with its wonderful extent of territory, reaching, as it does, not only across Europe, but even entirely across Asia to the shores of the Pacific,—a field in which there are 255,000,000 souls, anxiously awaiting and calling for help. The territory embraced in this vast Union Conference is now open for the proclamation of the truth for this time. During the past fourteen years the Lord, in His mercy, has gathered out in the German Union Conference over four thousand souls. Some of these have been imprisoned for their faith. They have met with difficulties; but to-night we are thankful to tell you that God is stronger than all the difficulties, and that the truth is gaining on every hand. GCB April 8, 1903, page 127.11

The brethren and sisters are not confining their efforts merely to this Union Conference, great though it is in itself. Their eyes are turned toward the countries so closely attached to them—to Asia and to Africa. GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.1

In Germany there are over 2,400 Sabbath-keepers. For some time they have been aroused over the question of opening up work in the German colonies in Africa. They are beginning to feel a burden in this direction. They are saying thus: “Although we have a great country ourselves, why should we not reach out still farther, if God in His providence should open the way for us?” GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.2

God is opening the way before them. I wish to present before you a few facts in regard to the German colonies in Africa. To-day the map of Africa is somewhat checkered. It is divided into sections, differently colored. These divisions do not represent different kingdoms, but simply the different possessions of European powers. By examination of the map you will notice that a portion of the country belongs to France, another large portion to England, and that four large sections of territory are owned by Germany. To-day Germany owns in Africa a section of country probably five or six times as large as the area of the German Empire in Europe, with a population of 10,000,000 souls. Surely the truth ought to be carried there through German people, because it is difficult for any other nationality to do missionary work there. GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.3

But when we begin to speak of entering a mission field, there are two questions to consider; viz., (1) Is the field open to us? and (2) has God prepared the men to go there? If we are to enter German East Africa, surely we are to expect that God will prepare the men. Let us study for a few minutes the question of how He has prepared the men. GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.4

A few years ago some of our young men in Germany had to face a serious problem,—whether if they entered the military service, they would serve on the Sabbath day or not. It is not an easy thing in Germany, where army regulations are so strict in every way, for a young man to face such a problem. GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.5

At first, some of our young men went across the waters, to escape military service. We could not see that that could be the right way. Young men would come into the truth, and, at the very best period of their life, twenty-one or twenty-five years of age, would leave for America. Many of these young men might have been a strength to us. It was our belief that if some one with faith would face the matter, in the fear and strength of God, God would give him the victory. GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.6

One young man faced this problem for a few weeks. He refused to do common duty on the Sabbath day. When pressure was brought to bear upon him, he finally shrunk back. He did not endure the trial. GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.7

Another young man, without in the least conferring with us, went up to his officer, and said, “I can not serve on the Sabbath.” Upon being asked why, he stated his reason. He was brought before the higher officers, who questioned him. As he stood firmly for the truth, he was finally imprisoned. Every week thereafter when he would come up to the beginning of the Sabbath and refuse to serve, he was again punished. GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.8

This young man afterward told us of his experience, and said that when he would come out of the dark cell into the sunlight again, it seemed as if he could not help staggering, because he could not bear the light of the sun. But even in the darkest cell he had a Light. That Light was the blessed Savior, who is the Light of the world. GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.9

One of our sisters, of some standing, visited the chaplain of the army, an old gentleman, who received her very kindly. He said, “I have not heard very much about that case; I will go and personally visit him.” He went there, and tried to persuade him, but in vain. Finally he prayed with him, and said, “My young man, I do not believe as you do, but God bless you. Remain firm in this, if it is your conviction.” And he did still more. He tried to get him into the hospital, to free him that way; but he could not get him into the hospital service, because he had been punished. So he got him in as cook in another garrison, and there he served his time, and on the Sabbath he was free. He left the army a free man, in two years. GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.10

After he came out he entered the work as a Bible-worker and preacher. He had stood the test, the trial, and the Lord blessed his work. When the call came for Africa, this young man stood up. When our Union Committee met this winter, we asked him why he had given himself to that work. He said, “Brethren, when I was in that dark cell, with no one to communicate with but the Lord, I gave myself wholly to him, and said, ‘Lord, if Thou dost give me liberty once more, I will go to any portion of this world, even to dark Africa, to let the light of Thy truth shine.’” He gave himself right there, and when Brother Booth came over to Europe, we sent him over to Germany to visit the place, and the young man met him, and the call came. He came to our committee, and said, “Brethren, I am ready to go.” Do you think he will stand the test? I am not afraid. I believe he is ready and willing and prepared to go. GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.11

Last evening a missionary address was given by W. A. Spicer. Owing to the abundance of missionary reports in the “Bulletin,” the talk was not reported. It covered needs and experiences in the work in Central and South America, the West Indies, Africa, and Asia. Africa is calling for workers. Elder M. C. Sturdevant, of Matabeleland, writes with sad but hopeful heart of the death of his son, a lad of promise. “We do not ask for a vacation,” he writes, “but for more help.” Not a ministerial laborer has been sent to India during the Conference term, though several have been under appointment. One special need mentioned was that of help for the erection of a church building in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the headquarters of the East Caribbean Conference, and a city of importance. The local company have secured $1,000 for the purchase of a good lot, land being expensive, but they need help for the building, which should be erected at once. GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.12

“There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.” GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.13

Very close and sacred is the relation between Christ and His church,—He the Bridegroom, and the church the bride; He the Head, and the church the body. Connection with Christ, then, involves connection with His church.—Education. GCB April 8, 1903, page 128.14