Ellen G. White: The Progressive Years: 1862-1876 (vol. 2)

Europe Looms as an Important Field of Labor

In his reports of the camp meeting, James White several times mentioned James Ertzenberger, who was with them at some of these meetings. Ertzenberger was a young man who had come from Switzerland, arriving at Battle Creek on June 15. On arrival in the United States he knew no English, but he carried an envelope bearing the words “Review and Herald, Battle Creek, Michigan.” This brought him to the place and people he was seeking. 2BIO 274.1

Ertzenberger was one of a group of fifty European Sabbathkeepers, most of whom were in Switzerland. They were led to acknowledge the major Seventh-day Adventist doctrines by M. B. Czechowski. [See Ellen G. White: The early years, pp. 378, 379.] An impetuous man, he had urged Seventh-day Adventist leaders to send him to Europe with the message, but found that they were unprepared to do this. He appealed to the first-day Adventists, who agreed to send him, not comprehending his Sabbathkeeping convictions. J. N. Andrews traced the story in the Ibid., November 30, 1869: 2BIO 274.2

About two years ago these brethren [Czechowski's converts] opened communication with us by letter. The last spring we invited Brother Albert Vuilleumier, elder of the church, to attend our General Conference, pledging ourselves to meet the expense. As he could not come, the Swiss brethren made choice of Brother James Ertzenberger to come in his stead. He arrived at Battle Creek June 15. 2BIO 274.3

He was able to converse fluently in German and French, but wholly unable to speak English. We have become deeply interested in this dear brother. He has given the best evidence that he is a man of God.—Ibid., November 30, 1869 2BIO 274.4

Ertzenberger studied English diligently and for some time resided in the White home in Greenville, where 15-year-old Willie was assigned the task of keeping him in conversation. He progressed well. Partly from the knowledge Ertzenberger brought and partly by correspondence, they learned that Czechowski had started a little office of publication in Switzerland. He did this almost entirely on borrowed money, repayment of which was due December 31, 1869. Foreclosure seemed inevitable. There seemed no hope of saving the property unless Seventh-day Adventists in America should come to its rescue. The building, on land near Lake Neuchatel, housed not only the printing office but a chapel and living quarters for the Czechowski family. At the time, Czechowski was laboring in Hungary. 2BIO 274.5

When Andrews explained the situation, there was an immediate response. A pledge list was started in the Review of December 28. A keen interest was sparked in an overseas outreach that was to grow in the months and years to come. 2BIO 275.1

When Czechowski was finally contacted, he rejected the help proposed. It was planned that Ertzenberger would remain in the United States long enough to master the English language and thus prepare himself to translate tracts and books into German and French. Wrote Andrews: 2BIO 275.2

We regard the circumstances of this case as a wonderful call to us from the providence of God to send the present truth to Europe. We cannot refrain from acknowledging our backwardness in this work. But it is in our power to redeem the past, by discharging our duty for time to come.—Ibid. 2BIO 275.3