SABBATH-KEEPERS IN GERMANY

A man by the name of J. H. Lindermann, in early life a member of the National Church, as are nearly all those in this country who are not Catholics, was converted in 1842, and became a colporter and preacher in the Reformed Church. From his study of the Scriptures he was led, in the year 1850, to accept the Bible doctrine of baptism. This change of views made quite a separation between himself and his former followers, a portion of whom, however, accepted the doctrine which he preached. Still later his mind was called to the subject of the Sabbath. On searching the word of God, he found to his surprise that there was no authority for the observance of Sunday, and therefore he began to observe the Sabbath of the Lord. This was in the year 1860, and for three years he observed the Sabbath alone. This change of practice was again the cause of division between him and his flock, who through him had received light on the subject of baptism.HSFM 17.1

As early as 1870 some of this number, however, began to keep the Sabbath with him, and after, a time our brethren in Switzerland learned of the existence of such a company of Sabbath-keepers in Prussia. The manner in which they received this information was through a beggar who was permitted to lodge over night at the house of one of our sisters near Basle. As this sister spoke to him concerning the truth, he informed her that there were near Elberfeld people of the same faith, and gave her the address of Eld. Lindermann. Subsequent correspondence led to the visit of Elds. Andrews and Erzenberger, who were cordially received by these friends. It had been but a short time since they learned that there were any Christians in the world, except themselves, observing the seventh day. They had believed there must be others, and now when they came to hear through these brethren of the work of Sabbath reform in America and in other countries, their hearts were made to rejoice, and they shed tears of joy.HSFM 17.2

During the remainder of this month the brethren labored among these friends, visiting the different localities where they resided, and holding meetings not only with them, but also more publicly in such halls as they could secure. In some localities a remarkable degree of interest was manifested on the part of the public in these meetings, and they were attended by the best class of people. The public meetings held in Gladbach were of special interest; among those who attended were many of the teachers of the city schools, and several clergymen. At the close of one of these meetings a business man, who, though not a Sabbath-keeper himself, was the son of Sabbath-keeping parents, came to Bro. Andrews, and asked the privilege of meeting the entire expense of advertising his work in three of the leading papers in Holland. He had attended the meeting of the previous evening, in which Bro. A. had expressed a desire that these friends, being situated so near the line of Holland, should assist in this work in that country, as he had already invited the friends in Elberfeld to do for Germany.HSFM 17.3

In his acquaintance with this people, Bro. Andrews learned that they were believers in the near coming of Christ as well as observers of the rest-day of Jehovah. They held no special errors in doctrine, nor were they fanatical in their worship. They had renounced the use of tobacco, a habit almost universal in this country, and were plain and simple in their dress. Indeed, they seemed to be a sensible, upright, intelligent people, who feared God and who had respect for his word.HSFM 18.1

They are also a thoroughly industrious and frugal people. As the result of this, though none of them are wealthy, nearly all are in comfortable circumstances, while some have gained what might be considered a competency. Many of these families own the homes which they occupy, and a small piece of land adjoining them. They are mostly employed as weavers of silk, or silk and cotton goods. Thousands of families in this locality are employed in this way, and the younger children as well as the older ones are taught to do this work, which requires much skill and dexterity. Some of the fabrics which they produce are most delicate and exquisite, being woven in a great variety of beautiful patterns. Their looms, which are intricate and complicated, are in their own houses, so that they can control their hours of work.HSFM 18.2

Having thus employment in their own homes, it is much easier for them to observe the Sabbath than for those who are employed in factories. All through Germany there are manufactories of different kinds. In many localities these furnish almost the only employment by which the mass of the population obtain a livelihood. Men are accustomed to learn but one trade or one branch of business, so that they are wholly dependent upon this particular kind of work for the support of their families. Under these circumstances it is often very difficult for them to obey their convictions concerning the Sabbath, even though they may be thoroughly convinced of their duty to keep it. The circumstances of the people here, as well as the fact that so many were already observing the Sabbath, seemed therefore to recommend this as a promising field of labor. So, after having labored together for five weeks, Bro. Andrews returned to Switzerland, leaving Bro. Erzenberger here to continue the work and to labor in new fields as the way might open before him.HSFM 18.3

It may be of interest to the reader to mention some facts concerning the legal regulations which must be complied with in order that meetings may be held in this country. Germany may be said to be well governed in the sense that the requirements of the law are strictly and rigidly enforced. These regulations seem very strange to those who have been accustomed to the freedom of American citizenship. In this country, as in all other countries of continental Europe, when a stranger would sojourn for any length of time in any locality, he must on his arrival present his passport to the authorities, and receive permission to remain. In fact, unless this is done within twenty-four hours the person who entertains him is liable to a fine. If any one desires to hold a public meeting, he must give notice of the fact to the authorities, stating the place where the meeting is to be held, and its nature, or the subject which is to be presented. If the permission is granted, the meeting is then under the protection of the law, and government officers are present to see that order and decorum are maintained. In this respect Germany is one of the most favorable fields in Europe for the public presentation of the truth. It is not difficult to obtain the permission to hold meetings, and the only restriction to freedom of speech is that nothing reactionary or revolutionary is allowed, nor is anything permitted to be said against the government or its regulations.HSFM 18.4

It is quite difficult, however, to obtain suitable places in which to hold meetings. In fact, there are no places to be secured except halls that are ordinarily used for dancing and drinking. The churches and school-houses are under control of the pastors and officers of the National Church, so that they cannot be obtained without their consent. Of course it is readily to be understood that they do not grant permission for them to be used for the propagation of new doctrines.HSFM 19.1

It is no uncommon thing to find the halls used for public lectures, fitted up with a regular bar for the sale of beer and cigars, so that those who attend may be supplied with these articles of so common use. It is not considered any breach of good order to drink beer and to smoke while listening to the speaker. A circumstance which occurred during this visit will illustrate to what extent this habit is carried. The brethren had an appointment for a meeting to be held in the village of Hilden. As they entered the hall, they saw four rows of tables extending its entire length, the chairs being placed beside them. On each table was a match case. A large congregation assembled, intelligent in appearance, and well dressed. Before the service commenced, waiters passed about beer, and this they continued to do from time to time during the meeting. And, notwithstanding the fact of its being a religious service, many persons were smoking while the discourse was being delivered. This was not from any intentional disrespect to the speaker, but simply as a matter of custom. The audience paid the strictest attention, and during the time prayer was being offered at the beginning and close of the service, the entire congregation rose to their feet and remained motionless.HSFM 19.2

A circumstance in the previous history of these German brethren illustrates also a phase of the work of Sabbath-reform in which our brethren in America have had no experience. These brethren are opposed to bearing arms. For refusing to do service in the war with France, which had just closed, one of them was imprisoned for two years at Düsseldorf. While the discipline of the German army is very strict, they inflict no other punishment on those who refuse to do military service than imprisonment or enforced labor on fortifications or in hospitals.HSFM 19.3

It is not alone during the time of actual war that this question of military service and its relation to the observance of the Sabbath is a practical issue. The German government requires that every able-bodied young man shall perform three years of actual duty in the army, even though it be in time of peace. This service begins at the age of twenty years, and there seems to be no means of avoiding the service without suffering the penalty which follows its refusal. The diplomatic arrangements between the various governments are such that it is impossible to evade this service by removing from one country to another. From the time a young man becomes of age to do military duty his whereabouts are carefully watched. Should he desire to leave the country, no passport would be granted him, and without this, no European government would give him shelter. If he has already received a passport, it is withdrawn before the time his service is due, and he is left no other alternative than to surrender himself into the hands of the government. Should he by any means evade doing this, he forfeits his rights as a citizen, and whatever property he may have is confiscated. The regulations of Germany are not in this respect more severe than those of most other governments of continental Europe. This relation of Sabbath-keepers to the rigid requirements of military service is one of the practical questions of the work in Europe.HSFM 19.4

As the result of this visit, there were, when Bro. Andrews left, about fifty persons in cordial sympathy with our work. They had freely returned to the Swiss treasury the amount raised to defray the expenses of this journey, and had assumed the expenses of the further labor which Bro. Erzenberger was to do among them. They had also undertaken the expense of advertising the work in papers in Germany, as had already been done in Switzerland.HSFM 20.1

As we shall have occasion to speak again of the work in this vicinity, we will simply add that although Eld. Lindermann after a time became estranged not only from our people but also from a large share of those whom he had been instrumental in leading to the observance of the Sabbath, and his subsequent career was unfortunate both for himself and for the truths which he had espoused, yet quite a share of those who became acquainted with our people through the visit of Elds. Andrews and Erzenberger, and were more fully instructed by them in the way of truth, have since that date been united with our work and are still firm friends and supporters of our cause.HSFM 20.2

On his return to Switzerland, Eld. Andrews again applied himself with renewed zeal to the study of the French, devoting much time to securing a thorough knowledge of the grammar of the language, that he might be able to criticise correctly the paper which he hoped soon to publish. His visit had given him some opportunity to judge from personal observation of the vastness of the field comprised in the Mission. What was to be done to warn the thousands and thousands of people in these various countries? The advertisements in the leading periodicals of Switzerland, Germany, and Holland, brought an interesting correspondence from many persons; and what had he to give them in response to their anxious inquiries concerning the new doctrines which he came to bring them? Having a supply of English publications only, he was obliged to respond to their urgent calls by sending them these with the hope that they might find some one who could read these works for them. With a periodical and publications in French, the case would be much different, as this language is quite generally known in all these countries, especially by the better classes. Toward the accomplishment of this object, as the most direct manner of answering to the immediate demand, he therefore directed his efforts, and began at once the publication of tracts, the means for which work had been donated by the Swiss brethren.HSFM 20.3

The first French tracts issued in Europe were printed at Neuchâtel; but the work proving unsatisfactory, a Basle printer was next employed, and from this time the work of printing was done at Basle.HSFM 20.4

In the month of June, a company of twelve persons who had accepted the truth were baptized at La Coudre by Bro. Albert Vuilleumier.HSFM 21.1

The notices concerning the new mission, which had appeared in the Holland papers, brought in a considerable number of letters of inquiry. To these letters Bro. Andrews replied, although in so doing he worked at great disadvantage. The letters had first to be translated to him from the Holland, and then his replies had to be translated into that language. At first he did not have even so much as a tract in their own language to send them. He afterward, however, received from the Review Office a supply of a tract on the Sabbath, the only work on present truth then published in Holland. These he sent to all those with whom he had been in correspondence.HSFM 21.2

The second baptism, which took place in the month of August of this year, was an occasion of much interest. The ordinance was administered at a beautiful spot near the north end of Lake Neuchâtel. Eight persons were baptized at this time.HSFM 21.3