A SURVEY OF THE FIELD

It will be necessary to an intelligent survey of the comparatively few though important years which have passed since this mission was decided upon, to give at least a hasty glance over its field of operation, and to take somewhat into account the diversities of its physical and moral character. Let us look first at its geographical features. The reader will be able to gain a clearer idea of the work before the mission, by a reference to the maps which accompany this sketch.HSFM 12.1

One of the things which most vividly impress the traveler from the New World as he journeys among these older nations of Central Europe, is their limited territory as compared with their immense population; and to assist the reader in this imaginary journey through these countries which are yet to be illuminated by the light of the present truth, we will give some statistics as to their comparative size and population. Let us begin with the great empire of Germany; great in the extent of its political influence, great indeed in its extensive population, which, according to the latest census, numbers not less than 45,000,000 souls; great in its relation to a work of moral reform like that in which we are engaged, since it was the birthplace of the grand Reformation of the sixteenth century. This great empire with its numerous population covers a territory of 210,148 square miles, and in its physical aspect is one of the richest, most productive, and most inviting countries of Europe. To the south-east of it lies the empire of Austria with its population of 39,000,000. A reference to the accompanying map, on which are marked the localities where there are churches and companies of Sabbath-keepers, will show that in all this vast empire of Austria there is not yet a single company of Sabbath-keepers. Beyond it to the south-east is Roumania, into which country the light of the truth has already to some extent penetrated. With its own population and that of the adjacent countries, there are nearly 10,000,000 who speak this tongue.HSFM 12.2

In the south of Europe lies sunny Italy, a country which, but for the degrading influences of the system of religion under which for so many centuries it has been held in civil and political bondage, would be one of the most beautiful countries in the world. With a delightful climate, and a naturally productive soil which yields the greatest variety of fruit and vegetables in profuse abundance, nothing, so far as the gifts of nature are concerned, seems lacking to make this country a veritable paradise. Of the peculiar situation of its 30,000,000 inhabitants we will speak farther on.HSFM 12.3

To the west is the republic of France, a country of a strangely diversified character and history. In population it is nearly equal to the empire of either Germany or Austria, as it is also in the extent of its territory. A beautiful country indeed is “la belle France,” and were the moral and religious character of its people equal to the natural and physical advantages which this country enjoys by reason of its favorable situation and its genial climate, it would be indeed an inviting field for the work of the message. The impulsiveness of the French nation is as proverbial as their politeness; infidelity and skepticism are interwoven in every grade of society; a predominating Catholicism has left its blighting stamp here as elsewhere; but the land whose soil was drenched with the blood of the Huguenots still holds as honest souls, and hearts as loyal to the right, as those who have in past times laid down their life for the truth.HSFM 13.1

Beyond France to the south-west lie the countries of Spain and Portugal with a much less dense population than the other countries mentioned, the former having only 17,000,000, the latter 5,000,000. Like Italy, these countries bear the marks of the religious despotism which has ruled them for centuries, and which still holds a powerful control over the common mind.HSFM 13.2

In the north lie the countries of Belgium and Holland. Although small, they contain an immense population. To help the American reader in forming some idea of the density of the population in these countries, let us institute a comparison. For instance, Belgium has a less area than that of the States of Delaware and Vermont combined; yet it has a population of more than eleven and a half times that of both these States. The State of Maryland is but little less in area than Holland; the latter has over four millions population, while the former has less than one million. The German empire lacks more than fifty thousand square miles of having as much territory as the State of Texas; but it has a population thirty times as large as that of this State. Notwithstanding the thousands of industrious and enterprising emigrants that this empire has sent to the New World, its present population is nine times that of our great Empire State.HSFM 13.3