Denmark

Brethren P. Rasmussen and M. Soerensen reported that the beginnings of the reformation in Denmark are found further back in the past than some brethren think. Upon Brother Liljebaeck’s return from his first trip to Germany, when he brought back publications to Copenhagen, a warning against the German movement had already arrived there from South Africa. Apart from this, Brother Soerensen had already heard about the apostatized position of Brother Daniells towards the Testimonies and could not believe such a thing. The Protokoll (Minutes) of the discussions at Friedensau, with Brother Daniells’ declarations about the Testimonies, brought him great unrest.

Another brother, who had already gotten publications from Wuerzburg, said: "If these writings are in harmony with the truth, then I am apostatized." Then Brother Soerensen laid his work aside and went with Reform publications to Skodsburg, March 2, 1921, where he obtained answers to all his questions, and the same thing happened when he went to Germany and to Sweden. Brother Raft, the leader (in Sweden), declared the whole work of Reform to be a work of fanaticism. Therefore, Brother Soerensen went personally to Germany in order to make an investigation. After his return, the brethren [in the Adventist Church] were warned against him. Our information service has aroused brethren who make it a point to zealously proclaim the third angel’s message with good publications: "Thy God is King." Other souls are in the valley of decision. With the assurance that has been given to us–"If God be for us, who can be against us?"–we are all engaged in the work with our hearts filled with hope and joy.

Danube Union (Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia)

From the Danube Union, Brethren Mihaly Anulo and Sandor Freiberger brought the following report:

The reformatory movement began to expand, in the fall of 1915, from the present curtailed territory of Hungary toward other countries. By that time the spiritual condition of the Adventist Church had sunk so low that the few honest souls could not, without grief and sorrow, behold the situation. In our conflict for souls, we tried to do our best to arouse the church to spiritual life and to oust the noisome pestilence (contention) from the church. But instead of meeting success, our efforts only provoked the hatred and opposition of the leadership. These struggles directed our attention to the Testimonies of E. G. White and to the law of God, in the light of which we were able to see the apostasy more clearly. At first it looked as if the majority of the brethren were going to side with the truth, but when the sieve began to move, a good number of promising brethren proved to be unfaithful. With a very reduced number of brethren–poor in experience, very deficient in financial means, despised and persecuted by our former brethren, but trusting wholly in the arm of God–we began to work. And the Lord has blessed our work beyond our expectations. In 1917 an awakening started in almost every place of the country. The movement kept growing steadily, especially in Transylvania, and the work was better centralized.

Questions concerning the sealing work also caused a major shaking, because, due to lack of knowledge, many had an erroneous conception of the truth, and without the grace of God they soon turned lukewarm. At present the work is growing in Romania, Hungary, and Yugoslavia, which have joined to form a Union Conference.

Our literature is still very scarce. The Watchman of the Truth is published in three languages–Hungarian, Romanian, and Serbian. . . . The book Christian Temperance, in Romanian, is now being printed, and it is being translated into Hungarian.

Most of our workers are young people–between 18 and 35. The burden of the work is growing steadily. New calls for help have come from Bulgaria, Greece, Ukraine, and Slovakia.

Estonia

Brethren E. Rosenberg and A. Rosenstein from Estonia spoke to us as follows:

The Reform Movement in our area began in connection with the writings of Sister White. We had very few of her writings in Estonian and no Testimonies at all. The brethren expressed an ardent desire to possess these writings in their own language. For this reason the book Experiences and Views was translated and we wanted to have it printed. So we made our desire known to Brother Johann Sproge, our field leader, who said we should contact the union president, Brother H. J. Loebsack, about the matter. We did so, and we received an affirmative answer from him, and the field committee decided that the book should be printed. So the brethren gave the manuscript to Brother Johann Sproge requesting him to peruse it and take the necessary steps. The manuscript was in his possession for almost one year. Finally he wrote to us saying that, as far as printing the book, we should get that idea out of our heads. The official connections between Estonia and Russia were severed, and we received no more correspondence from Brother Loebsack. Then Brother Sproge told us that he was in correspondence with Brother Conradi, that according to Brother Conradi’s prohibition we were not permitted to print anything in Estonia, and that we should drop the idea of publishing the book Experiences and Views.

As we stood all alone, without any human help, we humbly put our confidence in Him who has ever led His people and who had never abandoned them, trusting that He would lead us too. Our God opened our eyes so that we could see the prevailing unrighteousness which had crept in among the Advent people. . . . [The war question was the fundamental issue.]

Brethren from all the churches assembled for a conference. We organized ourselves into a field and, with the help of God, we have carried on the work. Some of the members, who remained true to Brother Sproge and to the laws of men, gave support to the apostasy from the law and the testimony of God, so that they would rather obey man than God’s law and testimony. These have tried by all possible means to persecute us and to deceive the brethren. But we still had hope in the General Conference brethren (Brother Christian and Brother Raft). However, when these brethren were here last autumn and endorsed the wrong things that had been done, and accused us, saying that we had not acted correctly, this revealed to us that the leadership of the Advent people in general is fallen, being closely united with the world and its customs. . . .

The work [in Estonia] is organized in 13 churches and groups. We have 9 workers in the local field, plus 2 sisters who are employed to visit families. Moreover, several brethren are ready to take part in the canvassing work. With thankful hearts we bow our knees before the Lord and testify that He is gathering His people into the unity of faith and spirit in the truth. Let us now stretch forth our hands to one another in the Reform Movement and strengthen and encourage one another in the truth and in the message of God.

Principles / Elections

The discussion of the principles of the present truth showed that there is full agreement in the third angel’s message, according to the law and the testimony. . . .

For the General Conference Committee we agreed to take one brother from each country in the Reform Movement plus one more representative for each 500 members.

November 22, at 11:30 a.m., [1921], after we had prayed, we proceeded with the election of the General Conference Committee. The following were elected:

Brother O. Welp . . . . . . . . . . . . .Germany
Brother J. Adamczak . . . . . . . . . Germany
Brother W. Richter . . . . . . . . . . . Germany
Brother K. J. Stiphout . . . . . . . . .The Netherlands
Brother K. A. Ekeroth . . . . . . . . . Sweden
Brother P. Rasmussen . . . . . . . . .Denmark
Brother C. Spanknoebel . . . . . . . Switzerland
Brother D. Nicolici . . . . . . . . . . . . Danube Union
Brother J. Rosenberg . . . . . . . . . .Estonia
Brother A. Rosenstein . . . . . . . . . Estonia

When the election was successfully accomplished under the guidance of the Spirit of God and was unanimously acknowledged and concluded with a song of praise, then the elected brethren held their first council meeting.

The election of the General Conference elder, treasurer, and secretary was also carried through by drawing lots. [Editor’s note: This system was dropped when more light came to us.]

Elder: Brother O. Welp (Germany)
Treasurer: Brother K. J. Stiphout (The Netherlands)
Secretary: Brother C. Spanknoebel (Switzerland)

Leading Committee elected in 1921: These nine plus D. Nicolici. Front row, left to right: K. J. Stiphout, Otto Welp, K. A. Ekeroth, A. Rosenstein. Back row, left to right: Joseph Adamczak, P. Rasmussen, Wilhelm Richter, J. Rosenberg, Carl Spanknoebel.

A series of international proposals and questions were presented and discussed in a few meetings, and were settled by means of resolutions.

Special Resolutions of General Interest

1. The question of workers for Holland was discussed and settled. After examination, prayer, and the drawing of lots, Brother Le Vermeulen from Rotterdam was appointed to be a worker for this Field.

2. Brother J. Goran from Romania said he is prepared to work in Argentina, and he is leaving for that country in 1922. The Committee acknowledged the need and is in agreement.

3. In compliance with the request of Estonia and Yugoslavia–that a brother be sent on a temporary basis to help them in the work and to take part in the conventions–one brother will be appointed for each of these countries.

4. The proposal that a new attempt be made by means of a declaration addressed to the General Conference in Washington was discussed, and it was decided:

a. That a protest against the errors which have been introduced into the present truth will be addressed both in German and in English, in print, to the conference in Washington.

b. That two brethren–O. Welp and H. Spanknoebel–will be delegated to go to the General Conference in Washington for a verbal discussion and exposition of the principles, and that these two be sent to the conference in America.

5. All proposals and reports to the General Conference Committee to be submitted through the secretary, Carl Spanknoebel, Frutigen (Switzerland).

After several points of truth had been talked over one by one, the session was closed with prayer November 23 [1921] in the evening.

For more detailed information, please feel free to contact: Seventh Day Adventist Reform Movement P. O. Box 7240 Roanoke, VA 24019 U.S.A.