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

THE COUNCIL OF 1885

THE third session of the European Council convened in the meeting-hall of the new publishing house at Basle, Switzerland, Sept. 15, 1885. Though but little more than a year had passed since the close of the previous session, this year had seen carried out the plans recommended by the former Council concerning the publishing house for the Central European Mission. The large, well-arranged building to which the delegates were welcomed on this third visit to Basle, was in marked contrast to the narrow, inconvenient tenement, in an obscure part of the city, in which the first Council was held, and gave evidence of the advancement which had been made since their first period of consultation. HSFM 113.13

In response to the cordial invitation of its previous session, seconded by the recommendation of the General Conference, Mrs. E. G. White and Eld. W. C. White and his wife had made the journey from the Pacific Coast to the Old World, and the brethren assembled at this session enjoyed the privilege of having among them these representatives of the work in America. The attendance was even more general than at the previous session, there being several representatives from France in addition to those from other fields. The meeting continued until Sept. 29,-fourteen days,-yet although of so much longer duration than the previous session, every day was filled with important business relating to the various branches of the work in different fields. HSFM 113.14

The length of time during which the Council continued, permitted the introduction of some features in the regular order of exercises which had not been before adopted. In addition to the early morning prayer and social meeting, a regular class for Bible study was formed, which held one regular meeting each day. A Bible reading conducted in English, French, and German, was also held daily, and each evening a discourse, usually on some practical subject, was given. In this manner, while much time and thought were given to the affairs of the various missions, and to the details of the work in its various phases, a good share of the time was devoted to cultivating the spiritual interests of the meeting,-a most essential branch of the work. HSFM 114.1

At the suggestion of Bro. White, an auditing committee was appointed to examine the details of the accounts of those employed by the General Conference, in order to facilitate the work of the auditing committee of that body in its final action. Many difficulties arise in the work of this latter committee, on account of the different methods of making the report of labor and expenses, and it was judged that a committee on the ground could examine these details much more readily than the committee of the General Conference. HSFM 114.2

The propriety of the Council recommending to the General Conference those who should receive credentials and licenses in the various missions was considered, and a committee was instructed to recommend the names of such as in the judgment of the Council should receive credentials and licenses from the General Conference. HSFM 114.3

Several of the first meetings of the session were occupied with verbal reports from the laborers of the different missions. These reports brought out interesting statistics of the work in the various fields. Eld. Matteson spoke of Sweden as one of the best fields of labor in Northern Europe. A general interest was manifested by the people to hear the truth, and as the result of a series of meetings in Stockholm, over fifty souls were converted. This Conference is composed of seven churches with 193 members, a gain of 81 members since last year. There are, in addition to this number, 86 scattered Sabbath-keepers, making in all 279 believers who are fully united with us in the truth. Colporters have good success laboring here. Two of these and one minister have been employed during the year. They have sold and distributed during this time 426,400 pages of reading matter, obtained 448 subscriptions for our papers, and received $580 on sales and subscriptions. HSFM 114.4

Eld. E. G. Olsen reported concerning his labors and the work in Norway. A church of twenty-one members had been organized in the vicinity of Drammen, and twenty-eight persons had been added to the church in Christiania. In the work of the colporters in the missionary society 500 subscriptions had been obtained, 600,000 pages of reading matter had been given away, and about $400 received on sales and subscriptions. The publishing work in Christiania was reported to be in a prosperous condition. The completion of the new office of publication will furnish increased facilities for the growth of this branch of the work. The office publishes at present a Danish Norwegian religious monthly, Tidernes Tegn, a Swedish religious monthly, Sanningens Härold, and monthly health journals in the Danish-Norwegian and Swedish languages. The office also publishes forty-five different books and tracts in the Danish-Norwegian, and fifteen in the Swedish. HSFM 114.5

In the Conference of Denmark, reported by Eld. K. Brorsen, there are four ordained ministers, two licentiates, nine churches, and 160 members. There are besides ninety-eight Sabbath-keepers in this country. The tithe for the past year was $400. HSFM 115.1

The following summary of the work in the Scandinavian Mission was presented by Eld. J. G. Matteson: Number of ministers, 7; licentiates, 7; colporters, 8; churches, 18; members, 514; whole number of Sabbath-keepers, 698; amount of tithes and donations, $2,161.86; total number of subscriptions taken for our periodicals, 1,044; pages of reading matter sold and distributed, 1,041,400; received on sales and subscriptions, $1,033. HSFM 115.2

The condition of the work in the British Mission was presented by Eld. S. H. Lane, who a few months before had become connected with the work in England, Eld. M. C. Wilcox, and Bro. Geo. R. Drew. In his ship missionary work at Liverpool, Bro. Drew had sold during the past eleven months, 301,000 pages of books, for which he had received $750. He had visited, in doing this work, 2,216 vessels. Three other colporters had been employed in the Mission for a portion of the time. They had received 249 subscriptions for the Present Truth, and visited 3,453 families. The office at Grimsby had printed during eleven months 102,500 copies of Present Truth, and received on subscriptions and sales of their paper about $550. Received on other sales, $450. The tithes received during this period amount to $388.58. During the summer a tent-meeting had been held with good success, as the result of which nine persons had embraced the truth. HSFM 115.3

The circulation of Present Truth has made a favorable impression upon the public mind; but much more can be done by circulating it by means of colporters than by sending it through the mail. Eld. R. F. Andrews gave an account of his labors in Northern Ireland, and Eld. A. A. John referred to his experience in open-air meetings, recommending this as an effective method of presenting the truth before the people of England. HSFM 115.4

The Swiss Conference, as reported by Eld. B. L. Whitney, has one ordained minister, seven licentiates, ten churches, with 224 members. There are also thirty-nine Sabbath-keepers in churches not as yet connected with the Conference. The tithes paid in during the eleven months of the year amount to $1,314.87, besides $264.35 paid by the churches in Germany. The Missionary society has a membership of 113. Their report of labor shows 137,039 pages of tracts distributed, and 9,066 missionary visits. The donations since the organization of the society amount to $2,041.00. The Sabbath-school Association includes eleven schools, with 251 members. HSFM 115.5

The office of publication has published during the year 131,000 copies of the periodicals in the four languages in which journals are issued, and the receipts on the French and German papers are $1,010.00. The office publishes thirty-one different tracts and pamphlets in French, fourteen in German, and seven in Italian. HSFM 115.6

In Pitesti, Roumania, according to the report of Bro. Thomas G. Asian, a church of fourteen members had been organized by Eld. A. C. Bourdeau. The Roumanian paper is well received, and seems to be accomplishing a good work, though according to the judgment of the friends there, its efficiency would be greatly increased if it could appear oftener. HSFM 115.7

Eld. D. T. Bourdeau reported his labors in France and Italy. Three churches had been organized with thirty-five members in France and Corsica, and two churches in Italy, at Naples and Torre Pellice, of twenty-five members. HSFM 116.1

Bro. A. Biglia, of Naples, had labored particularly in the distribution of the Italian paper, and in correspondence with those who had become interested through reading it. By this means the truth is finding an entrance into many towns of Southern Italy. Bro. John Geymet had been engaged in colporter work in the Vaudois Valleys. He had sold about 22,000 pages of tracts, and given away 8,000. He spoke favorably of that locality as one well adapted for French labor. HSFM 116.2

The conditions of the work in the German field were presented by Eld. James Erzenberger. In Germany religious meetings cannot be held without first giving notice to the authorities, stating the time and place of the meeting, and the subject to be presented. Unless this is done, one is liable to be fined. When, however, these conditions are complied with, the meeting is under the protection of the authorities, and is not liable to be disturbed. Halls for meetings are expensive, and it is difficult to obtain private rooms. At the same time there is an immense Protestant population in Germany, and encouraging results have followed the labor put forth among them. Colporters are needed to prepare the way for public effort by judicious distribution of our publications. These colporters will have to obtain license of the authorities, the expense of which will be about four dollars for each license granted. HSFM 116.3

Eld. A. C. Bourdeau had labored in Roumania, Italy, Corsica, Western France, and Switzerland. He reported nine or ten persons in Western France as having embraced the Sabbath, though they are not as yet organized as a church. HSFM 116.4

Through these verbal reports the members of the Council were enabled in a measure to become familiar with the situation of the work in the various fields, and thus to enter more intelligently into the discussion of the important questions which were presented for the action of the Council. The members of the Council were requested to offer in writing the practical questions upon which they desired information, these questions being referred by the chairman to different individuals to be answered. As these questions were presented, general discussion was also invited, and in this manner much practical information was gained on the subject under consideration. Among these questions were the following:- HSFM 116.5

1. “Can tents be used to advantage in Switzerland, Germany, France, England, and Northern Europe?” The discussion to which this question gave rise brought out the facts that, so far as known, there are no laws in these countries to hinder such meetings, unless perhaps it may be the case in Switzerland. The difficulty and expense in obtaining suitable and respectable halls make the use of tents desirable. The advantages of tent-meetings over open-air meetings were quite fully discussed, and many strong reasons were advanced in favor of the former. It was thought that without doubt many difficulties would arise, but this should not stand in the way of making an effort in this direction. Difficulties have been encountered in this kind of work in America, and yet at present scores of tents are being successfully used there. While in the open-air meeting but little if any opportunity is afforded for making the meeting self-sustaining, with a tent effort the case is quite different, as the people will often give of their means, and in other ways aid in the support of the tent company. HSFM 116.6

During this discussion Sister White made some very important statements in regard to the manner in which meetings should be held. There are serious objections to open-air meetings. In the effort to hold the attention of the people, the vital forces of the one engaging in this kind of labor are subjected to a heavy strain. It is much more difficult to speak in the open air than in a tent, and the exposure of health and strength is much greater. Again, these meetings are usually attended by a continually changing class of people, so that there is no good opportunity for personal labor. This kind of labor is absolutely necessary in order to success in the work of winning souls to Christ. As he came in personal contact with those for whom he labored, so his servants must labor personally for the people. She expressed the belief that the use of tents is one of the very best methods of conducting a meeting, and that the Lord would bless this kind of labor in Europe. HSFM 117.1

As the result of the consideration of this question, the Council recommended the purchase of a second tent for England, and one for use in Sweden the coming season; that the Swiss Conference purchase two tents, one for the French and one for the German work; and that the General Conference be requested to furnish a tent for use in Italy. HSFM 117.2

2. “Would it be profitable to illustrate our papers?” The opinion prevailing that well-executed, instructive illustrations would add greatly to the circulation, and thus to the efficiency, of our periodicals, it was recommended that, so far as consistent, the European journals be illustrated. HSFM 117.3

3. “Should we bear arms or serve in the army? If so, is it lawful to serve on the Sabbath?” Military service is compulsory in Switzerland, Germany, France, and Italy. The period of service varies in the different countries, in some being as long as three years. In Switzerland, Sabbath-keepers have the choice of joining the sanitary corps, in which a person is exempt from bearing arms; but even here the duties required are such as are not consistent with the proper observance of the Sabbath. The Council recommended that the Executive Committee prepare a circular setting forth the principles involved in this question, and offering suggestions for the instruction of our brethren. HSFM 117.4

The question arose how to reach the traveling public, and whether it is advisable to use distributers at places of pleasure resort, and on the ocean steamers. The experience of our American brethren in placing such distributers in stations, hotels, and public places, was cited in favor of an experiment in this direction in Europe. A request was made by the Council to the International Tract Society to furnish distributers on the transatlantic steamers leaving Liverpool. HSFM 117.5

On the subject of distribution of labor the Council adopted resolutions recommending that Eld. A. C. Bourdeau locate in the Waldensian Valleys, and devote his principal efforts to the work in Italy and France; that in view of the special and urgent demand for labor in various localities in the Italian field, Bro. A. Biglia be recommended not to confine his labors to Naples, but to devote the greater portion of his time to new fields; that Bro. Thomas G. Asian spend six months or a year in Italy, laboring with Bro. Geymet; that a Scandinavian laborer be selected to assist Bro. Drew in his work at Liverpool; and that the General Conference be requested to send a German laborer to join Bro. Erzenberger in the German field. HSFM 117.6

Resolutions were also adopted expressing continued confidence in the gift of prophecy which God has mercifully placed among his remnant people, and pledging a renewed endeavor to show true appreciation of the same by prayerfully carrying out its instruction. HSFM 117.7

Among the resolutions relating directly to the policy of the work in the different missions was one setting forth the “duty of our ministers to encourage and educate young persons to become successful canvassers and colporters, by holding Institutes, and by connecting them with tent labor and other work where it may be deemed advisable, thus helping them to obtain the necessary qualifications for this work.” It was recommended that an Institute of three or four weeks’ duration be held at Great Grimsby, England, for the purpose of giving instruction to canvassers and colporters. HSFM 117.8

The Scandinavian brethren of America were invited to become subscribers to the health journals published at Christiania, and to aid in their circulation among the Scandinavians in that country. The Executive Committee of the Council was requested to prepare petitions to the Swiss government that the children of Sabbath-keepers be exempt from attending the public schools on the Sabbath; and also to prepare tracts and leaflets to be distributed by those who circulate these petitions. HSFM 118.1

Resolutions were adopted embodying the judgment of the Council as to the relation of the laborers to the offices of publication, recommending that definite orders be given for all publications desired, that a prompt settlement of accounts be made with these offices at least once each quarter, and that all book accounts be settled before or in connection with the settlement for their labor. The Conference Committees, or Mission Boards, were recommended to inform all laborers to what extent the free distribution of our publications should be carried, and to instruct them to include what they spend in this way in their annual report. HSFM 118.2

The Council expressed by vote its appreciation of the labors and counsel of Sister White and Eld. W. C. White, and extended a cordial invitation to them to visit all the missions, and to spend as much time in Europe as their other duties would permit. HSFM 118.3

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Executive Committee, B. L. Whitney (chairman), J. G. Matteson, S. H. Lane; secretary, A. B. Oyen; treasurer, Addie S. Bowen; Mission Boards: Central European Mission, B. L. Whitney, A. C. Bourdeau, D. T. Bourdeau; British Mission, S. H. Lane, M. C. Wilcox, R. F. Andrews; Scandinavian Mission, J. G. Matteson, A. B. Oyen, E. G. Olsen. HSFM 118.4

At its eighteenth meeting, held Sept. 28, the Committee on Resolutions presented the following, which was unanimously adopted:- HSFM 118.5

Resolved, That the report of the Council, the financial and statistical report of the European missions, with the report of Sister White’s morning talks and a sketch of her visit to the missions, be published in a large-page pamphlet in the English language, that our brethren in America may share the blessing of this good meeting. HSFM 118.6

Although the Council continued so long a time in session, the interest in its proceedings did not flag, and an earnest desire was manifested on the part of all to become more thoroughly intelligent and efficient in the great work of extending a knowledge of the present truth in Europe. The morning talks of Sister White were one of the specially interesting features of this annual convocation, and were the means of imparting much precious instruction concerning the practical work of those who were here convened. The session of the European Council of 1885 will remain in the memories of those who enjoyed its privileges as an occasion of practical instruction, spiritual refreshing, and encouragement to future faithfulness and earnestness in the good work. HSFM 118.7