General Conference Bulletin, vol. 7
TENTH MEETING
W. A. Spicer, C. P. Bollman, C. C. Crisler, T. E. Bowen, H. E. Rogers, J. N. Anderson
May 20, 2:30 P. M.
A. G. DANIELLS in the chair. GCB May 21, 1913, page 81.9
J. E. Fulton offered prayer. GCB May 21, 1913, page 81.10
By vote of the Conference, the following-named brethren were seated as delegates: T. H. Branch, J. M. Campbell, U. S. Willis, W. D. Ford, and Sydney Scott. GCB May 21, 1913, page 81.11
A. G. Daniells: This afternoon we are to have a treat, I am sure. Our brethren in the European Division, including Germany, Great Britain, Scandinavia, and Russia are to report to us. Most of these brethren, I presume, will be able to report during the afternoon session. H. F. Schuberth will first report from the East German Union. GCB May 21, 1913, page 81.12
REPORT OF THE EAST GERMAN UNION CONFERENCE
As we look at that which the Lord has done for us in our field during the past four years, then we must exclaim with the psalmist, “The works of the Lord are great.” Psalm 3:2. GCB May 21, 1913, page 81.13
Organization
Jan. 1, 1909, the German Union consisted of all Germany, Holland, Belgium, Austria-Hungary, and the Balkans, with a population of 150,000,000. Our membership was 8,521. During that year 217 workers were able, by the help of the Lord, to win 2,114 souls to the message, and our net gain was 1,245, so that Jan. 1, 1910, the German Union had a membership of 9,766. At that date the division of the German Union into the East and West German Unions, which had been decided upon at the previous summer meeting at Friedensau, went into effect, giving to the East German Union 74,000,000 people, and 5,005 members. GCB May 21, 1913, page 81.14
In 1910, 1,339 were added by baptism and vote, giving us a net gain of 1,007. We had 131 workers. In 1911 there were 133, workers, and our increase was 1,754, with a net gain of 1,164. Last year there were 132 workers, who were able to win 1,728 to the truth, giving us a net gain of 1,141. Thus, during the three years’ existence of the East German Union, an average of 132 workers has been able through God to win 4,821 souls, and securing a net gain of 3,312. As the Middle German Conference, with a membership of 606, was turned over to the West German Union, Jan. 1, 1912, the total membership of the union at the close of 1912 was 7,711. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.1
Finances
We are able to show a good increase in tithes as well as in offerings to missions. In the year 1908 the entire German Union before its division had a tithe of $92,711; while in the year 1912 the East German Union alone had a tithe of $103,764. The offerings during 1908 for the entire German Union amounted to $16,873; for 1912 the East German Union had offerings amounting to $24,046. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.2
PHOTO-BIENNIEAL COUNCIL MEETING, FRIEDENSAU, GERMANY, JULY, 1911
Further Division
Jan. 1, 1913, the East German Union was again divided, and the Danube Union was organized out of its territory. The latter union had 56 workers, the support of whom had cost the East German Union during the three years of its history, $43,401. At the present time the East German Union consists of six conferences, the Union District, in Germany, and the East and West Galician fields, in Austria, with a population of 34,000,000, and a membership of 6,029, of whom 106 are laborers. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.3
Conditions in Our Field
There are some special difficulties confronting our laborers on account of oppressive laws in some of our fields, and at another time I hope to have an opportunity to speak of these. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.4
The various peoples and customs found here also help to make the work difficult. We are laboring in ten languages: German, Hungarian, Roumanian, Polish, Servian, Ruthenian, Italian, Bulgarian, Slovacian, and Croatian. For example, it is not out of the usual order of things that at a conference in Hungary, the address must be translated into five languages at once,—a thing that much disturbs the ear of one not accustomed to it. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.5
Montenegro, within the territory embraced by our union, is the smallest of European kingdoms, with only 250,000 inhabitants. The Montenegrins are a rough, mountain people, among whom the most of the work is done by the women. According to their understanding of affairs, it is man’s work to carry on war, but not to do any other kind of labor. This is the only land in which we have as yet been unable to get a foothold; although we have visited the field. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.6
Experiences
We are able to report encouraging experiences in our labor. The Lord has often wonderfully opened the way for us. Two brethren, one a Roumanian and the other a Servian, came from Canada, where they accepted the truth, to Hungary, that they might bring the message to their relatives. On the border they were taken for American land agents, and without further ceremony, were thrust into prison. But these brethren had learned that all things work together for good to those that love God, and so they said that the Lord must have something for them to do in prison. It was not long before a number of the prisoners were interested and some were converted, and wanted to keep the Sabbath in the prison. The jailer thought to dispose of the matter by scattering these molesting prisoners into various parts of the country in other prisons, but this simply carried the seed of truth into still other prisons. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.7
Accompanied by Brother Huenergardt, it was my privilege to visit one of these prisoners who had secured the Sabbath free, and had been granted the right not to eat swine’s flesh. He had been a higher police officer. After his conversion, he was pardoned, and could then be baptized. The jailer spoke highly in praise of this man, and wanted to know more of our message, desiring that we should supply him with literature. At the place where our brethren were first cast into prison, there was a good church raised up. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.8
PHOTO-“RAY OF LIGHT” SOCIETY, GALICIA, AUSTRIA
In Bucharest, the capital of Roumania, the message has gone forward with power for years. But we have had great trouble to secure a suitable place for meetings there. There are few large halls, and the dwellings are very expensive, and we could not raise the rent for anything large. We attempted to execute certain plans to help the situation, but difficulty with the government hindered us each time we thought we were about to solve the question. When I was in the city one day, a friend of the message invited me to visit him, and he took me into a neat hall which he had just finished. He said, “I have had this hall built for you, and you can have it two years, rent free.” This hall was in another part of the city from where our first place of meeting was, and gave us the opportunity of organizing a second church in that place, which has developed well. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.9
In Bulgaria we have worked for sixteen years, with rather meager results. About a year ago two Bulgarians came into the truth in Bucharest, Roumania. They commenced missionary work, and, because this is not permitted in Roumania, were sent out of the country. These brethren went to two different places in Bulgaria, and in a short time there was a good church organized at the home of one of them. The other, who settled in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, has been able to greatly assist us by appealing to the government at times when our workers have been molested and hindered by the priests, so that now we have perfect freedom to work. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.10
Through the special blessing of God, the work in the Berlin Union District has proved a great financial strength to the whole union. We conduct public lectures in sixteen halls and in our rented chapel, where we have our baptism and special meetings. During 1912 13 workers were enabled to win 288 to the message, or an average of 22 to a worker, so that our membership has risen to 1,000 in Greater Berlin. After an audit of the accounts of the workers, we had a surplus in the district of $13,868, which we could use in covering the deficits of our union mission fields. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.11
We are also glad that gradually light is breaking in the very hard fields of East and West Galicia. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.12
There are 54 young people’s societies in the union at present, with a membership of 1,289. They gave about $500 to the work, and we know of some 14 who were won to the message as the direct result of the work of the young people. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.13
May the Lord continue to bless this field, that among the 34,000,000 inhabitants of the East German Union a large number shall be saved when our Lord comes. H. F. SCHUBERTH. GCB May 21, 1913, page 82.14
WEST GERMAN UNION CONFERENCE
A. G. Daniells: Now, Brother Schuberth has reported for one division of what was the German Union Conference. Brother J. G. Oblander, as president of the West division, will report for that. GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.1
J. G. Oblander (reading):— GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.2
If we look back at the experiences and blessings of the past three years, we are involuntarily filled with feelings of thankfulness to our Heavenly Father, which is best expressed in the words of the Psalmist: “The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” Psalm 126:3. Look where we will, everywhere we see evidences of the workings of the mighty hand of God. GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.3
Organization
This union was organized at the summer meeting held in Friedensau, 1909, and contained 6 conferences, I union district, 3 mission fields, 187 churches and companies, with a membership of 4,719. The organization went into full power Jan. 1, 1910. GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.4
Territory
The territory of this field stretches from the southern boundary of Denmark in the north to the Adriatic Sea on the south, and takes in all of western and southern Germany, German Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, and Austria, with a population of about seventy-four millions. Although there are sixteen languages used in this territory, yet the people have no difficulty in understanding the language of the Bible and of the third angel’s message. All those dear ones who have accepted the message rejoice in the hope of the soon-coming Saviour, and are preparing themselves to meet him. GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.5
Progress
Since the union began its separate existence, there have been three other conferences, two mission fields, and seventy-five new churches and companies organized within its boundaries. That the West German Union might be strong enough for the organization of the Central European Union by Jan. 1, 1913, the East German Union turned over to the West German Union one conference, with a membership of 600, Jan. 1, 1912. GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.6
During the three years of the union’s existence, there have been received, by baptism and vote, 4,028 new members, of whom 1,677 were received during 1912 alone. The net gain for these three years is 2,488, of whom 1,073 should be credited to 1912. If the strong Catholic population of one conference and four mission fields of the union be taken into consideration, and the difficulties often encountered among them, we must heartily thank God for these results. It has not been human power or wisdom that hath wrought such an increase, but the infinite power of the Word of God, which is able to do all things, has been our confidence and strength in the work. It was not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. We are also fully aware that if we would more fully consecrate ourselves upon the altar of God, the Lord could accomplish very much more through weak human instrumentalities. GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.7
Losses
That which especially causes us sorrow is the number of souls who are lost to the message by turning their backs upon the Lord and returning to the beggarly elements of the world. In 1911, forty-two per cent of our increase was lost, but in 1912 the percentage was only twenty-eight, so that last year stood fourteen per cent better than the one preceding it in this respect—a cause of great gratitude to God on our part. We earnestly hope that this year the percentage of loss may be still much less than in 1912. Of course, not all of our losses can be accounted for by those who have back-slidden, but many move from one field to another outside of our union, and frequently those who move away are more than those who move into the union. During the last two years, we lost seventy-four by death. We expect to greet them at the first resurrection, when our Lord shall return for his own. Thus at the close of 1912 we had a membership of 7,825. Each soul won to the truth during 1910 cost $47.68; 1911, $54.78; 1912, $47.64. But if we take the net gain for those years, each soul won cost us $78.34, and $69.13 for 1911 and 1912 respectively. This is no comparison to that which the Lord paid for the souls of men—his own precious blood, which the world could not pay for, with all of its boasted wealth of gold and silver. GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.8
PHOTO-FRIEDENSAU SCHOOL AND SANITARIUM (GERMANY)
Finances
If we look at the finances, we have special reasons to thank the Lord for his blessings. The tithe rose from $63,451 in 1910 to $110,511 in 1912, or nearly twice that of 1910. The total for the three years is $252,937. The average tithe rose from $12.62 to $15.02 in 1912. If we consider the financial conditions of our brethren in this field, we must acknowledge that this is a good tithe. And, although the average tithe rose from year to year, yet we hear no complaints from our brethren. Our brethren are ever ready to support the cause of God. In the testimony meetings we hold at the general meetings, our brethren testify that the Lord has richly blessed them for having been true in giving him that which belongs to him. This causes much joy to the workers. The missionary gifts rose from $11,996 in 1910 to $30,734 in 1912, and the total of these since our organization three years ago was $58,552. The average of our gifts rose from $2.49 in 1910 to $4.41 in 1912. GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.9
Our churches are also busy at work in the circulation of our good literature. The sales of the missionary societies rose from $8,785 in 1910 to $41,390 in 1912. The total sales of our societies for these three years was $62,051. It is certainly encouraging to see that the sales have increased to more than four times what they were in 1910. GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.10
Some of our fields reached the five dollar standard in gifts, and some have exceeded it, while others have not yet attained this amount. But we are determined by the help of God to reach that standard in all our fields. GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.11
The work in our missions has also been progressing very favorably. In Holland and in Belgium ninety-five new members were added during 1912, thus again showing the hand of the Lord in the work. The funds are also rising, so that we hope these fields will soon become self-supporting. GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.12
Austria for many years seemed to be a very hard and difficult field, but since the Lord has shown us the right way to do the work by organizing a society by the name of “Mehr Licht” (more light), the work is growing very rapidly. With the beginning of 1912 we organized two new missions, the Moravian-Silesian and the Bohemian mission fields, for which we are very thankful. In the Moravian-Silesian mission, although we do not have the same religious liberty that there is in Germany, 120 souls were won by only four workers during the year 1912. The tithe has increased to such an extent that the field can support itself and even have a surplus at the end of the year. The Bohemian mission has also made great progress, in spite of the fact that it is a hard field. Fifty-one were added to the church by four workers, and by the help of God, during the year 1912. The finances have developed so that this field can also do without appropriations from the union. One of our workers was called in to the military service on account of the threatening war, and, as far as I know, has not yet been liberated. GCB May 21, 1913, page 83.13
PHOTO-Group of believers in Vienna, Austria
In the Austrian Mission the difficulties are increasing. The Catholic clergy are doing all they can to drive us out of the country, but the Lord has always helped us to gain the victory. One day an official told one of our workers, “We do not want you here in our city, and we will do all we can to keep you out;” but the brother said to him: “You can’t keep us out, sir, because we are already in your city.” Some of our workers have been driven out of certain communities, and are not permitted to return. But, in the face of all these difficulties, 82 souls were added during the year 1912. At the close of 1912 we had a membership in these three Austrian mission fields of over 600. The prospects for the future are very promising in these fields, and we hope that in the very near future we will have thousands of believers in this country. In the year 1911 the work was also started in the city of Triest, situated on the Adriatic Sea, and a company of five dear souls was gathered. It was my privilege to visit these Austrian mission fields twice last summer, and I was glad to see the interest the people showed when the truths were preached in the meetings, although I had to speak by an interpreter. In Dalmatia, where Titus was sent by the apostle Paul to preach the gospel, we have begun the work in the city of Spalato, where a small beginning was made. I visited this place last summer, and in the house of our worker, who was there at the time, I held a meeting. This place has only about thirty thousand inhabitants, 58 Catholic churches, 600 Catholic priests, and only one Seventh-day Adventist minister. You can easily imagine how difficult it was for our worker to labor in this place, when every fifty people have a priest to watch over them. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.1
Workers
The workers increased from 1910 to 1912 from 107 to 146, of which 41 are ordained ministers, 38 licentiates, 63 Bible workers, and 4 other workers. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.2
At the end of 1912 we had in this union ten organized conferences, one union district, and five organized mission fields. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.3
As the work of the West German Union developed so well, it was found necessary at our Friedensau meeting last summer, to again divide the field. The South German, Wurtemburg, Bavarian, and the German-Swiss Conference, with the mission fields of Moravia and Bohemia and Austria, 123 churches and companies, and with a membership of 2,928, were organized into the Central European Union, beginning with Jan. 1, 1913, so that at the end of the year 1912, there were 4,897 members, 6 conferences, and 1 union district, with two mission fields, and 174 churches and companies remaining in the West German Union. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.4
During the first quarter of 1913 we have already received 346 souls in the present territory of the West German Union; the net gain is 240. So we now have 5,137 church members in our portion of the field. During no quarter of the first two years of the existence of the West German Union (it was organized three years ago), have we received so many additions as during the first quarter of 1913, notwithstanding our having cut off the whole Central European territory. The tithe of the first quarter was twenty-one thousand dollars. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.5
We are of good cheer in our work, and are fully persuaded that when the work of God is finished on earth, we of the West German Union will join you in heaven above, where we shall ever praise and honor the Lord for his grace toward us, his unworthy children. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.6
J. G. OBLAENDER.
REPORT OF THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN CONFERENCE
A. G. Daniells: We will next have a report from O. E. Reinke, president of the Central European Union. That, you know, was the name of the first organization we had over there, which took in all Europe nearly. Now we have these branches and divisions, so that the Central European Union is only one out of these three at least that have given us such splendid reports, or two of which have given us such splendid reports. Now Brother Reinke will give us his report. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.7
O. E. Reinke (reading):— GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.8
The Central European Conference was organized in July, 1912, being previously a part of the West German Union. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.9
The territory of the union is composed of Bavaria, Wurtemberg, and Hohenzollern lands. Baden, Alsace-Lorraine, the provinces of Rhenish-Hessen and Starkenburg, Austria (excepting Galicia and Bukowine), and German Switzerland, with the cantons of Grisons and Ticino. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.10
The population of this union is 37,649,547; the area, 381,025 square miles. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.11
The membership at the time the organization went into effect, Dec. 31, 1912, was: 4 organized conferences and 3 mission fields, with 130 churches and companies, and 2,928 members. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.12
Twenty-one ministers, eleven licentiates, and thirty-four Bible workers compose the staff of workers, making a total of sixty-six in all. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.13
Since this union is really only three months old, this report can only cover this limited period. During the first quarter 182 members were added to the churches, making a total of 3,031. The tithe amounted to 52,230.02 marks; the Sabbath-school offerings, all of which are given to foreign missions, amounted to 4,530.21 marks; weekly offerings, 2,702.41 marks; annual offerings, 452.88 marks; foreign missions, 5,675.20 marks, or a total of 13,360.70 marks to foreign missions in one quarter. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.14
Our work must be carried on in nine languages; namely, German, Polish, Bohemian, Italian, Roman Croatian, Slovenian, Ruthenian, and Rumanian. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.15
Our workers have varied experiences in our field. In Bavaria, with a population of about six millions, our work started eighteen years ago, in 1895. Being a Catholic country, meetings and gatherings of any kind to study and read the Bible were forbidden. If any such gatherings were discovered, each partaker was imprisoned or fined from twenty to fifty marks. This made our work rather hard. But God had better days for us. In 1907, through special efforts by Elder J. T. Boettcher and others, we secured the right of being called a private church society. This gave us liberty to conduct meetings and hold lectures, but in these public gatherings we are not allowed to sing or pray, or to take up a collection. We are allowed, however, to charge admission fee, which works very well, and usually secures a good attendance. Tent-meetings are not allowed. Missionary work has its hindrances. In twelve cases, our people had to appear before the court, but every time freedom was secured, for which we praise God. A permit for canvassers to sell our publications can be secured for thirty to forty dollars, but the priests and pastors do all they can to warn against us. GCB May 21, 1913, page 84.16
Notwithstanding the hindrances during the past three years, 348 souls were added to the church. In Austria our work is still hampered in many ways. By far the larger portion of the thirty millions are Catholics, although the Mohammedan, Greek, and Protestant religions are also represented. Our work began here in 1901. The work is carried on by the forming of societies. In Austria proper the society by which this message is carried on is called “The More Light Society;” for that is our aim, to bring more light to the Austrians. In Bohemia our society is called “Christian Men and Women.” The societies have the right to hold public meetings, and their aim is, as brought out in their constitution, to advance Christian life. These public meetings can only be held when the police grant us permission. No hymns can be sung, no prayer offered, not even the word “amen” at the close of the lecture. Otherwise it would be counted a church service, and such services are not permitted. Although we meet with many hindrances, yet thus far God’s merciful hand has been over the work. Brother Wolfgarten, the director, is acting cautiously, so as to keep the work moving. An instance or two may illustrate the condition. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.1
In Bohemia one of our Bible workers had gathered his interested Bible readers, as our manner is, in a private home. They were just commencing the study, when the policeman entered and arrested our brother, took him to the station, and locked him up. The next morning, he was escorted by two policemen to his room, where they gathered up every book, blank, and even plain writing-paper, and took these with them to the station. Later he obtained his freedom, and finally got his Bible back. Though these interested people became frightened, the Lord brought victory to their souls, for which we praise his name. All of them, five in number, were shortly afterward baptized. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.2
Another instance: The local superintendent conducted a series of lectures, and changed the meetings, as usually his plan is, in order to have his interested hearers attend the closed meetings. In these meetings he spoke on the Papacy, illustrating the subject by stereopticon views. Somehow spies got into the meeting, and the next day two newspapers brought out lengthy articles under the heading, “The Doings of a False Prophet,” exposing our brother in the extreme. The articles revealed the intolerant spirit of the Dark Ages. At the close of the article, the editor called upon the city government to at once stop this kind of work. He said that if they failed to do so, steps would be taken by the people themselves to prohibit such a nuisance. The result was that our brother received a notice forbidding him to conduct any further open or closed meetings. In consequence, the proprietor of the hall refused to let him occupy it any longer. The Lord helped in a marked manner, and the church secured another place of worship, where meetings are held at present. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.3
In Moravia the Lord is especially blessing among the Poles, who are coming into the truth more rapidly than our union can properly take care of them. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.4
In Austria one can find many people who cannot read or write. Thus the work is hampered in this direction. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.5
PHOTO-Our first church building in St. Petersburg
The South German, Wurtemberg, and Swiss Conferences have enjoyed their freedom, that is to say, toleration. Our canvassers, especially in Austria, had to pass through severe trials; in a number of instances, they were imprisoned, and all their books taken; but as soon as released, they went forward to canvass with even greater courage. In Switzerland, we have no freedom in canvassing. A foreigner cannot sell books outright, he can only take orders, and his yearly permit costs him $30. The total number of canvassers in the Central European is 114; their total sales, $40,391.30. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.6
Our workers though are of good courage, and, with a greater determination than ever, we set our hands and hearts to work for the Master, and pray the dear Lord to fully endue us with his Holy Spirit, to quickly finish his work. Pray for this new union, its work, and its workers. O. E. REINKE. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.7
REPORT OF THE DANUBE UNION CONFERENCE
A. G. Daniells: We now call for the report of the newest union conference, whose territory is along the Danube. We will hear from Elder J. F. Huenergardt, president of this new union. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.8
J. H. Huenergardt (reading):— GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.9
The Danube Union Conference was organized during the summer of 1912, in Budapest, Hungary, the organization going into effect Jan. 1, 1913. Up to this time it had been a part of the East German Union Conference. After the first quarter of our existence, the result of our labors were as follows:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.10
Membership and Languages
Net gain of membership during the first month, about seventy. The tithe, even considering the war in the Balkans, which greatly paralyzed all business enterprises in our entire field, reached a much higher average per capita than last year. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.11
In our field there are eleven different languages spoken,—the Hungarian, German, Rumanian, Servian, Croatian, Italian, Slavonian, Ruthenian, Wend, and Russian. Our workers are able to speak in all these languages except the Ruthenian and Russian. The number of our regular workers at present is fifty-five. We also have about sixty colporteurs, who are distributing the printed page in all the languages spoken in our territory. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.12
Progress
Most of our work has been done in Hungary proper. We now have 81 churches and companies in the union, with a membership of 1,680. In spite of religious persecution in Rumania, the work has grown most encouragingly. In October, of last year we appointed a general meeting for the Rumanian mission field, in the city of Ploesti. In connection with our regular meeting, for the first time in our work, we arranged for several public evening lectures in a large hall. The mayor of the city was willing to give us permission, but informed us that he would first be obliged to counsel with the priests of that city. They met to discuss the question. When the priests saw that the mayor was favoring us, they at once gathered their forces to hinder the meeting. They declared that the people opposed our gathering, and feared a riot, and, therefore, would counsel us to discontinue our plans. We, however, insisted on our rights, which were insured us by the law. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.13
On the evening, just before the public meeting, a mob of several hundred assembled, armed with clubs and led by a number of priests. They passed up and down the streets, and surrounded the building where the meeting was to take place. When the people arrived, some of the priests took their position at the entrance, and dared the people to enter, telling them to go home at once. A priest even went so far as to smite a lady in the face, because she insisted upon the right to enter the hall. The day following, on Sabbath morning, our brethren assembled quietly in their own meeting place. After the meeting, toward noon, a crowd of about one hundred, led by some of the janitors of the Greek Oriental church, attacked us when we left the place. In the rush that followed, about five of our brethren were beaten with clubs, and even wounded. This experience, however, only served to further the cause in that country. The leading people took our side, and many fair minds had an opportunity to study our work, and the truths we proclaim. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.14
A short time after this occurred, we began a public meeting in a new hall of that city. On one occasion, several weeks ago, one of the leading priests in the former riot, again came in our meeting, and denounced the Word of God. His own people led him out with the apology that we should not be angry, as the priest had probably been drinking a little too much, and therefore did not know what he was about. We now have two Rumanian churches in Bucharest, and also a German company; in all, about two hundred members. GCB May 21, 1913, page 85.15
Servia and Bulgaria
Last month, I had the privilege of visiting Servia and Bulgaria. In Belgrade, the capital city of Servia, where they have had much difficulty in the past in holding our gatherings, we now, since the war, enjoy perfect religious liberty. The few colporteurs we have there are selling thousands of pages of our literature from town to town. The people greatly appreciate the truth. In Bulgaria, the government not only grant to our native workers the permission to canvass, but our foreign workers also, for a small sum of money, secure permits for canvassing the whole country. We have met with opposition from the authorities in some localities in Bulgaria, but in such cases when we reported the facts to the government in Sofia, the capital, we at once received full permission to continue our work. There are now many open doors in these countries of the Balkans, which should at once be taken advantage of. Especially is this the case among the Mohammedan element. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.1
PHOTO-A PRISON IN ST. PETERSBURG
Balkan War Experiences
Many instances could be related showing the protecting care of the Lord over his people during the present bloody war in the Balkan country, and especially over our brethren who were called to the front. In Bulgaria, about nine of our brethren were called to do military service. I had the privilege of meeting them in Ruschuk before they were sent to the frontier. Since then, the principal battles of the Balkan war have taken place. During my last visit to that country, in April, I inquired about the brethren who had entered the army, and found that the lives of all had been spared. Only one of them was wounded in the siege of Kir-Kilissa. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.2
I met this wounded brother in a hospital in Sofia, and found him almost recovered. He was very thankful that his life has been spared, and told me that when he fully regains his health, he expects to devote his whole time to canvassing among his people. These brethren serving in the army were always fortunate enough to be engaged in work where they were not obliged to enter the firing line. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.3
One of our Bible workers, a young man of twenty-one years, who was called to the army, afterwards wrote that he on several occasions had opportunity to hold Bible readings before his officers and his company of over six hundred men. He talked about the subject of Turkey in prophecy, showing that the time is here when the Turk must leave Europe. This question interested the officers, and they favored our brethren in many ways. So we see the prophecy is not only a light to our feet in these last days, but it also tends to favor and protect the people of God in the many dangers approaching. Josephus relates that during the conquests of Alexander the Great, when he was preparing to besiege Jerusalem, the high priest came out before him with his escorts, and showed him the prophecy in Daniel which named him as conqueror of the world. This caused Alexander the Great to let them depart to their city in peace. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.4
In conclusion, we would like to say that this war has opened many doors in the Balkans, and we pray the Lord of the harvest to move the hearts of his people, and give them eyes of understanding, that they may detect and improve all the opportunities that present themselves. Our workers are all of good cheer, and, together with all the brethren of our Danube Union, ask God’s people in this assembly to remember them in their prayers. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.5
J. F. HUENERGARDT, President.
RUSSIAN UNION CONFERENCE
A. G. Daniells: Now we are to hear from Elder J. T. Boettcher, of Russia. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.6
J. T. Boettcher (reading):— GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.7
This union has sixty-two governments, or states, as we would call them, each having its own governor. Some of these governments have more than three and one-half million people. It would not be saying too much, were we to say that we should have a conference in each one of these states; but as it is at present, we only have twelve organized fields—five conferences, six mission fields, and one union district. The population of the Russian Union is one hundred sixteen million. Each organization would thus have nine and one-half million people. Among these millions there are a great many different languages spoken, because Russia is a mixture of the Orient and the Occident. Their conquests at various times have caused this confusion of tongues. It would be still harder to work this territory if it were not united under one empire. As it is now, we can travel from end of the country to the other, without having to pass custom boundaries. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.8
Finances
Up to Dec. 31, 1910, we were united with the Siberian Union Mission, and numbered at that time, in all Russia, 3,952 members. After Siberia was cut off, we had 3,094 members left. It had always been said that it would be hard to work up the finances, because the people were so very poor that they could not even pay tithe, not to mention offerings. At the close of 1908, we had 19,216.83 rubles tithe; in 1909 it rose to 25,758.34 rubles or a gain of 6,541.51 rubles. The offerings increased in like manner. In order to get a true picture of the work, I will give you some statistics regarding gains during the quadrennial period ending Dec. 31, 1912:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.9
The Russian Union has gained 1,091 in membership. Of these, 725 were by baptism, 138 by vote. The tithe gain is 95,940.52 rubles (nearly $48,000); weekly offerings, 2,855.53 rubles gain; annual offerings, 10,241.87 rubles; Sabbath-school offerings, 9,005.29 rubles. Our ministerial force has increased by 6; and we now have 33 more workers of all classes than we had four years ago. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.10
On an average it cost 110.20 rubles during this period of four years for each member gained. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.11
The gifts per member during the past four years amounted to 10.07 rubles, whereas in the previous quadrennial session, they only amounted to 5.19, or a gain of 4.88 rubles. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.12
Progress
It will be noticed that our gifts have not increased in proportion to the membership. This is because we are not permitted to take up collections nor speak about offerings of any description. We can only say, “Praise the Lord, O my soul,” when we see that under the most stringent laws, God has given us 2,741 converts, since 1909. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.13
Interesting Experiences
Some of the workers have been in prison more or less during the past three years. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.14
We have not had a general meeting with the workers for a long time, because the laws do not favor such gatherings. In some places we have called the laborers and the church officers together, and instructed them in their respective duties. We can see how God is working in our behalf. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.15
Our publishing house has been closed by the authorities, on the ground that our former society did not have its rights from the minister of the interior. For the time we were much perplexed what to do. We did not believe that the Lord would allow this branch of his work to stop, so our people fasted and prayed, asking God to show us the way out. Finally we saw a solution to this problem by opening up a book store under a new name. This worked very well for about a year. This winter it was again closed, and at the present time we are awaiting the decision of the governor. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.16
The truth has even reached the emperor’s house. A wealthy and influential lady accepted the truth last fall, and the Lord put it into her heart to send the book, “Christ’s Object Lessons,” in English to her majesty, the empress. We bound it in white morocco, with the presentation text printed in silver letters. It was on the occasion of the recovery of the crown prince from a serious illness. GCB May 21, 1913, page 86.17
It was necessary to go through considerable form and ceremony to present the book. It had to be accompanied by a long telegram, explaining all about it. After weeks had passed, our sister was visited by an officer, making inquiry as to the reason of her presenting the book to the empress, and asking if she desired any special favors. She was not at home at the time, but her son, also an influential government architect—not an Adventist—replied that she did not want any favors and did not need any, and this report went back to the empress’s house. After a short time, a special note was received from the court, acknowledging the receipt of the book, and stating that the empress herself was reading it. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.1
Russian Official Report on Adventism
The government in 1910 sent a special man around to our meetings, with the object of studying our methods of work, and the organization of the General Conference in all its details, down to the church offices. After a time, the government published a book on Seventh-day Adventists and their work, and sent a copy to all the leading men in Russia. Whereas a few years ago we were practically unknown, we are now spoken of in all official circles. This book is a splendid recommendation to the cause of God. Those who have read it can hardly find a sentence in it against us. It might really be termed an “Official History of Seventh-day Adventists.” Since that time, other books have been written, and the first one has been referred to as a standard. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.2
Recently a deputation of our brethren met the minister of the interior, because in many places our people have been persecuted. We were received very kindly, and were asked what our complaints were. The official promised to look into the affair, and to see if our cause was a just one. Two days later we sent another deputation to the superintendent of the department of religious affairs for the sects in Russia. The director of the department heard us for one hour and a half, asking many questions with reference to our belief. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.3
We were very glad to have Elder Daniells visit the Russian Union. It was a great treat to our people; for they had never seen one of the leading men from the States. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.4
The prospects of Russia are not very bright, if we look at it from a human standpoint; for everything is against us. We are not doing this work, however, and all are aware that God is at the head of it. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.5
Our brethren send most hearty greetings to the General Conference in session, praying that God may be with you in all the deliberations. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.6
J. T. BOETTCHER, President.
During his report, Brother Boettcher said: “I might say here that we are not allowed in Russia to baptize young people under twenty-one years of age. One of the last baptisms that I had was a young lady who came to me and said: “Now, Brother Boettcher, you have put me off a whole year for baptism, and I must be baptized. I cannot wait any longer.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.7
“But,” said I, “I am not allowed to do it.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.8
“Well,” was her reply, “if you do not baptize me, I will baptize myself. I will go into the same water where you baptize, and baptize myself.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.9
What would you do under such circumstances? Well, we found a way whereby we could even baptize such people, and I will tell you how we did it. In Russia everything must be testified to by witnesses, according to the law. So we take such persons alone, where there is only God as a witness. There is no one present except the candidate and the one who administers the rite. We baptize them alone. Then we are sure that God will protect us. If the person should apostatize, and inform the authorities, we would ask him to prove his case, and of course he would be unable to do it, as there was no witness. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.10
Concerning the book published by the Russian Government, Brother Boettcher said:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.11
I have a typewritten copy of this book in my possession. I had it translated into the German, and have it with me. It is one of the finest documents that ever was published on the work of Seventh-day Adventists by an outsider. It gives our history from the very beginning of the message to the year 1910. It tells when the work began in America, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Russia, France, etc., and throughout the entire world. I will read a few statements from it:— GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.12
“The Seventh-day Adventists’ doctrine is very rational. Adventists do not believe in traditions, nor the sacraments of the church, nor the church hierarchy. They throw away fasting and the monastic life and all church ceremonies. They do not worship the mother Mary. They do not believe in the immortality of the soul, nor the conscious state of the dead, nor do they worship the saints; nor do they honor the cross or the relics of the saints; nor do they pray to the dead. According to the doctrine of the Seventh-day Adventists, the Old and New Testaments are the only fountain of knowledge. It is the doctrine for the rule of life. According to the doctrine of Seventh-day Adventists, the redemption of Christ has redeemed the world. Christ is the only mediator between God and man. He has redeemed the world by his blood; and in order to be redeemed, it is necessary to repent, to believe on Christ, and be regenerated. Then it is necessary to show forth fruits of righteousness. The faith must be a living faith, through obedience, and the keeping of the commandments of God. The regeneration takes place through the Holy Spirit. This is done by a change of the old man, the person becoming a new one. The regenerated man will become a new creature, and keep the law of God, which is a light unto his feet. Only in this case is a person cleansed from his sin.” GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.13
They give other phases of our belief, the prophecies as we believe them in the book of Daniel. They devote several short paragraphs to our church organization, the officers, etc. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.14
What we could not do to bring the truth to this people, the priests, and the editors, God has done in his own way. There is hardly a sentence in the whole book that misrepresents us. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.15
Question: How did the authorities get this information? GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.16
J. T. Boettcher: They got this information from our Year Book. The government statistical man who followed us around speaks eight different languages. He had long interviews with me, although I did not know at the time what he was after. I was afraid of him. One day he came with a whole stack of manuscript and read it to me, and had me correct it. He did not tell me what he wanted this information for, but we were surprised to find it in this book, which came out a little later. We can call this a standard document. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.17
E. W. Farnsworth: Did you know at the time that he was a government spy? GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.18
J. T. Boettcher: I knew he was a government official, but I did not know his purpose. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.19
Question: What was the purpose of this book? GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.20
J. T. Boettcher: It was to show up what Seventh-day Adventists are; to put them in their true light; to present these facts for the information of all priests and editors. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.21
A. G. Daniells: I am sure this report of Brother Boettcher’s has been very interesting to you all; but from a trip I made through Russia I can say that the relation of it here does not compare with the vividness of the thing right on the ground. Brother Boettcher has not overdone the matter at all in his report. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.22
Here Conference adjourned. GCB May 21, 1913, page 87.23
A. G. DANIELLS, Chairman,
W. A. SPICER, Secretary.