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

ORGANIZATION OF THE SWISS CONFERENCE

Although the brethren of Switzerland had held their regular annual meetings for the transaction of business, and although these meetings have been designated in this sketch as Conferences because of their similarity to these organizations among our people, it was found on examination that no regular Conference had been organized, nor had the body of believers in Switzerland been thus recognized by the General Conference. In fact, the work of church organization had not been fully and thoroughly carried out among any of the companies of believers until recently, and it was therefore decided that a thorough Conference organization should be effected according to the plan adopted by our American churches and Conferences. A meeting appointed for this purpose was held at Bienne, May 24-27, 1884, to which all the churches sent delegates. HSFM 43.4

There was also a full representation of the brethren from different parts of Switzerland. This was the largest gathering of Sabbath-keepers that had been held in Central Europe up to that time, there being about one hundred and twenty-five present. Under the direction of Eld. Butler, a regular Conference was organized, including the five churches of Switzerland. The churches of Vohwinkel and Solingen presented, through Eld. James Erzenberger who had been recently laboring among them, a request to unite with this Conference. This request was granted. The church at Naples, Italy, represented by Bro. A. Biglia, and the company at Pitesti, Roumania, represented by Bro. Thomas G. Asian, were also received into the Conference at their request. This cordial union of the different parts of the field, irrespective of national lines, a practical illustration of the nature of our message, was a pleasant feature of the occasion. HSFM 44.1

Much practical instruction concerning the nature of church and Conference organization and the relation of individuals to the churches of which they are members, was given by Eld. Butler, and an earnest desire was manifested on the part of the Swiss brethren that the work among them should be brought fully into harmony with the system of organization which the experience of years in other countries had proved to be the most practical and advantageous. Fifteen persons were baptized. HSFM 44.2

The officers elected at this Conference were as follows: President, B.L. Whitney; secretary, Arthur Borle; treasurer, J. E. Dietschy; executive committee, B. L. Whitney, Albert Vuilleumier, Adémar Vuilleumier. A resolution embodying the sincere appreciation of the brethren and sisters of this Conference, for the visit of Eld. Butler, and also for the previous visit of Eld. Haskell, and expressing their gratitude to the American brethren for their interest thus manifested, was unanimously adopted. HSFM 44.3

In addition to the work of organizing the Conference, Eld. Butler presented quite fully his views respecting the importance of the publishing work as one of the great means for the advancement of the cause in this mission. During his visits in these various countries, he had become deeply impressed with the comparative importance of this branch of the work as a means for the presentation of the truth to the people of Europe. The vast population to be reached, the difficulties in the way of public labor, and the scarcity of laborers prepared to preach the doctrines of the message, were all urged as weighty reasons why intelligent plans should be laid for a large extension of the publishing work. He expressed the conviction that the time was not far distant when a publishing house would be established at Basle, and, in view of this probability, presented the importance of preparing the way for this work to go forward by the donation of means for this purpose. HSFM 44.4

These suggestions were received with favor by those present, and when opportunity was given to manifest their practical interest in this work, they responded freely with pledges for a new office of publication. In a short time over 10,000 francs, or more than $2000, was subscribed for this purpose, and the entire subscription during this meeting was not less than $2,500. When it is considered that none of these brethren are wealthy, and that the industry from which most of them gain their livelihood was in a very depressed state, this action on their part may be regarded as very liberal. HSFM 44.5