Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists

THE VISIT OF ELD. HASKELL

In view of the necessity of a more intimate acquaintance on the part of the brethren in America with the situation and condition of the growing work in Europe, the General Conference which held its session Dec. 1, 1881, passed a resolution recommending that Eld. Haskell visit the various missions in Europe. In accordance with this recommendation, Eld. Haskell sailed from New York the 13th of May the following year, and after spending a short time in England, continued his journey to Switzerland. During the time of his sojourn in Europe, he visited nearly all the countries in which the work had already been commenced, devoting however a greater share of the time to this mission. HSFM 37.2

The visit of Eld. Haskell marks a new era in the history of the Central European Mission. In addition to the changes which were effected through his advice concerning the location of the office of publication and the mission family, his earnest appeals to the Swiss brethren in behalf of the missionary work, served to greatly increase among them the spirit of labor which had already been kindled. He labored to secure a more general co-operation on the part of the brethren in the circulation of our publications and periodicals, and under the stimulus of his appeals new plans were devised, particularly for the circulation of Les Signes, for the expense of which the brethren cheerfully donated the funds. From his observation of the work in Europe, Bro. Haskell became deeply impressed with the importance of the judicious circulation of our periodicals as the most efficient agency for its advancement, and strongly urged increased effort in this direction, both in the circulation of Les Signes, and in the preparation of other journals of the same character in German and Italian. HSFM 37.3

Bro. Haskell attended the Swiss Conference, which convened at Tramelan Sept. 8, and continued until the 11th. This was the last Conference attended by Bro. Andrews, and although he was present at each meeting he was only able to speak briefly a few times. At this Conference, pledges for monthly donations for the support of the mission were made to the amount of $400, in addition to $100 which was raised at the time. The average amount of tithes paid, as reported by Bro. Haskell, was about ten dollars per member. The brethren had adopted the plan, which was proving quite successful, of advertising in the secular papers that Les Signes would be sent gratuitously to such persons as desired to receive sample copies. Subscriptions were being received as the result of this effort. A good degree of the blessing of God seemed to rest upon the meeting from its commencement. Much gratitude was expressed on the part of the Swiss brethren to the brethren in America for their interest in sending Eld. Haskell to visit them. HSFM 37.4

The Thursday following the close of this meeting, the first general gathering of the laborers in the different missions in Europe convened at, Basle. The object of this meeting was to give opportunity for the laborers from these different fields to compare their work, and to counsel together as to the best means for advancing the general interests of the cause. The meeting continued over the following Sabbath. Delegates were present from Norway, England, and various parts of Switzerland, and a permanent organization was formed, by which Eld. Andrews was chosen chairman, and Eld. A. A. John secretary. This was the first session of what was afterward known as the European Council of Seventh-day Adventists, though this name was not adopted at this meeting. HSFM 38.1

During the time of Eld. Haskell’s stay at Basle, a telegram was received from Alexandria, Egypt, announcing the death of Dr. Ribton in the massacre that occurred in that city on the afternoon of June 11. More than two years previous to this date, Dr. Ribton had left Naples for Alexandria, where he had remained until this time. A plot had been laid by Arabi Pasha for the massacre of all the Europeans in Alexandria. It had been the custom of Bro. Ribton and other friends associated with him in his work to go out on Sunday afternoon distributing publications on board the vessels in that port. On the afternoon of this day, Dr. Ribton, accompanied by his daughter and three Italian brethren, went out as usual on this errand. They knew nothing of the riot, which commenced soon after they left their homes, until their return from the ships, when they were surrounded by the mob, and Bro. Ribton, Bro. Rupp, and Bro. Allegretti were immediately killed. Dr. Ribton’s daughter Nina miraculously escaped the same fate. HSFM 38.2