THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH IN EUROPE By Rev. T. C. Meckel BEGINNING'S IN GERMANY. From the very beginning the essential mission¬ ary spirit lived in the Evangelical Church, con¬ straining her ministry and membership to practical missionary endeavor. In her early days many immigrants from the European continent had come Tinder the influence of her missionaries. Among those were former subjects of Germany, of whom goodly numbers were led to Christ through the preaching of the Word by our pastors and into the Church. Dfiring the pioneer days of the Evan¬ gelical Church the preaching was largely in the German language, the fruits of her labors were naturally in large part natives of Germany. As a result converts and members hailing from that country became interested in and concerned for the spiritual welfare of their relatives and friends across the great blue deep. Providentially our Church was led to obey the missionary exhorta¬ tion: “Cast thy bread upon the waters,” and thus we find that the taproot of her missionary enter¬ prise on the European continent is grounded in the United States, more particularly in Pennsylvania, the birth state of the Evangelical Church. Under the favors of a kind Providence abun¬ dant fruits have been brought forth from the very beginning, and latter day events clearly prove that the Evangelical Church has a mission on the Euro¬ pean continent. Through the labors of Evangelical pastors Se¬ bastian Kurz, a native of Wuerttemberg, who had emigrated to Pennsylvania and settled in York Co., 9 was converted. Having experienced the great blessings of salvation through Christ this man joined the Evangelical Church, and soon there¬ after was elected an exhorter. MovecT by the love of Christ he felt an intense desire that his friends and countrymen might also experience salvation through Christ. This desire ripened into a resolu¬ tion to return to the land of his birth and to labor for the salvation of his people. In the spring of 1845 Sebastian Kurz started on his long journey to Wuerttemberg. This simple-hearted, consecrated layman in the hand of God became the first prac¬ tical missionary of our Church in southern Germany. Though not formally commissioned by the Church as a missionary, yet in his fervent, loyal heart there glowed the love of Christ constraining him to go unhesitatingly forward to his task. Con¬ cerning Kurz, Father W. W. Orwig, our first Church historian, wrote interestingly as follows: “ Shortly before his departure for Europe he called upon us in York, Pa., and we furnished him a brief written statement of the doctrines and principles of the Church, together with a number of our books; but that he should labor as a missionary or that he was capable of such work never entered our thoughts, and as he was not a preacher in this country we could not judge of his com¬ petency in that respect. We do not doubt, how¬ ever, that he has already accomplished some intro¬ ductory work for a mission in Wuerttemberg and that he would prove a helpful assistant to a mis¬ sionary in Europe.” Having labored in his home neighborhood, Bon- landen, near Stuttgart, about a year, Kurz wrote a most interesting letter, dated March 23, 1846, to Rev. Christian Holl, a relative. Concerning one service he says: “Many fell upon their knees in the meeting and cried to God for mercy and pardon 3 .... I now have strong classes in three villages where I preach twice a week and hold two prayer- meetings/ ; etc. This letter was published in the Christliche Botschafter and'made a deep impression upon the entire Church. The result was an intensi¬ fied interest in a European mission. Not only preachers and members coming from Germany and having found salvation through the work of our Church in America were deeply moved, but the leading officials as well, native Americans, became thoroughly interested in the new enterprise, namely Bishops Seybert and Long, W. W. Orwig, C. Ham¬ mer, Adam Ettinger, Henry Eischer and others. In those days religious liberty in Germany was greatly circumscribed, and the resources of the Church were severely taxed, the Lord, however, removed ob¬ stacles. Hearts and hands were opened for tne support of the good cause. In the fall of 1849, Revs. C. G. Koch and J. Nikolai, both members of the Ohio Conference, in a confidential talk in the city of Cleveland were led to discuss the portentous movements in Europe. The result of this discussion was that these breth¬ ren published articles in the Christliche Botschaf¬ ter, followed with articles by Revs. J. J. Esher and Henry Bucks, favoring the formal establishment of a mission in Germany. The year 1850 being the 50th year since the organization of the Evangelical Association, it was considered a year of jubilee, in which missionary gifts as thankofferings were to be placed on God’s altar, and it was resolved that the Germany mission should be opened in this year. In its session at Philadelphia, Pa., in Febru¬ ary, 1850, the East Pennsylvania Conference took the proposed mission into serious consideration, ex¬ pressing itself strongly in favor of the same. The remaining annual conferences took similar action. In an appeal issued in the Church paper the entire 4 denomination was called to earnest prayer in behalf of the new undertaking. A special Board, con¬ sisting of the two bishops and representatives of the five annual conferences then existing, met Sep¬ tember 9, 1850, in Pittsburgh, Pa., and after pray¬ erful consideration selected Kevs. John G. Link of the West Pennsylvania Conference, and John G. Marquardt of the New York Conference as mission¬ aries to Germany. The latter was unable to get ready for the voyage; Bro. Link and family arrived at Bremerhaven December 8, 1850. Having lab¬ ored in Hesse-Darmstadt, his native land, the new missionary with his family moved to Stuttgart, Wuertt., where the friends gave him a cordial re¬ ception, but not so the local clergy. In city and country many remarkable revivals took place, and great good resulted. In September, 1851, the General Conference at its session in Flat Pock, Ohio, appointed Bev. John Nikolai as missionary to Germany. In November, 1851, he arrived safely at his destination. Stormy times impending, Bro. Link rejoiced to have Bro. Nikolai as counsellor and co-laborer. The latter was appointed to Lauterbach, Hesse-Darmstadt; but here the work was hindered so that Nikolai re¬ turned to Wuerttemberg to labor in his home land wherever the Lord opened the way. At the dedica¬ tion of a hall in Stuttgart such an immense crowd gathered that the police had to maintain order. City officials mistrusted and opponents were stirred to open enmity. A few days later our missionaries received a notice from the authorities, ordering them to leave the city and country within 24 hours. They applied to Mr. Fleischmann, the American con¬ sul, who by his skilful and energetic intervention succeeded in having the disgraceful order of expul¬ sion set aside. Good friends opened their homes to the missionaries for holding meetings. October 29, o 1852, they were cited to the office of the dean, who informed them that henceforth they were prohibited from laboring in public. They sought to be useful in other ways and held services privately. Soon thereafter Bro. Nikolai found an entrance in Ploch- ingen on the Neckar river. In 1854 a great revival broke out in this city. The sainted Kevs. J. M. Haug (later of the Michigan and Indiana Confer¬ ences) and G. Fuessle, editor of the Evangelische Botschafter, were witnesses of this gracious re¬ vival. At other places the missionaries had abun¬ dant success. After a few years of toil, Bro. Nikolai suffered from serious throat trouble. All efforts to overcome it proving unavailing, he was recalled by the Board of Missions to America, and Bev. John G. Wollpert was appointed to take his place. Sunday, July 5th, Bro. W. preached his first ser¬ mon in Suttgart and Plochingen. Sunday, July 26, 1857, Bro. Nikolai preached his farewell ser¬ mon at the latter place. New doors of usefulness ♦ opened and despite untoward circumstances the work continued to prosper and expand. In 1858 Bro. Link visited America. Everywhere he was welcomed with joy and received liberal contribu¬ tions for the work in Germany. During his six months’ absence Bro. Wollpert had charge of the work. About this time young Bro. G. Fuessle be¬ gan to labor in public. He was untiring and stud¬ ious. In 1858 there was open resistance in the work in Ebersbach, Goeppingen. In later years the Lord again opened the way, and the missionaries entered Goeppingen, where we now have a prosperous so¬ ciety. In 1859 the first meeting house was dedicated in Plochingen near Esslingen, the people coming from 20 different towns in Wuerttemberg. The property consisted of a plain dwelling with a large hall and was named 11 Tabernacle of Emanuel.” 6 The first “big meeting '’ was held the same year preceded by a sort of conference attended by 15 brethren from different parts of the work. In this year the Lord also opened doors in the upper Neckar valley. Despite much opposition and per¬ secution on the part of pastors and members of the state church Bro. Fuessle continued to labor successfully under the blessing of God. In April, 1860, he was formally received into the itinerant ministry. Bro. Wollpert took him into his home and together they served Plochingen circuit, numbering 24 appointments. Sunday, July 15, 1860, the first Sunday-school was opened at Plochingen, the attendance of children being 127, and the fol¬ lowing Sunday over 200. In 1861 Bro. Puessle was sent to the “Oberland," and Bro. M. Erdle, an untiring worker, was stationed to Plochingen. In July, 1861, Bro. J. P. Schnatz was sent from Amer¬ ica to Germany. Bro. Fuessle served Heidenheim and Ulm in charge of Bro. Schnatz, a circuit com¬ prising 20 regular appointments, which could be reached only on foot. BEGINNINGS IN SWITZERLAND. As early as July, 1852, Rev. John Nikolai, one of our first missionaries in Europe, journeyed from Wuerttemberg to Switzerland for the purpose of locating a mission in this country. He was given permission to preach in the muenster in Bern, the capital of the Swiss republic, and although the hour had not struck to establish a mission in this romantic country, yet Nikolai, constrained by the spirit of genuine missionary enterprise, in the early days of our work in Europe directed the attention of the Church to this important and inviting field. He was the pioneer missionary of the Evangelical Association in Switzerland. Moral conditions in this country at the time were similar to those pre¬ vailing in Germany. Rationalism had taken deep root, and the people generally led unrepentant, sin¬ ful lives. Unbelief had largely taken possession of the clergy of the established church. Provi¬ dence clearly pointing out to our workers in Eu¬ rope the crying spiritual needs of the Swiss people, at the first session of the Germany Conference in 1865, held in Stuttgart, the Switzerland mission was called into existence and Rev. G. Fuessle appointed its first missionary. With Bishop J. J. Esher Bro. Fuessle on March 14, 1865, journeyed to Switzerland. The former had many letters of introduction from friends in America to their relatives in the Canton St. Gallen. The very first call of the bishop and Bro. Fuessle at the home of a merchant in Rorschach met with no welcome, whereupon they decided to journey at night to Buchs. The following morning they were taken by a Mr. Xaxier Buehler from the hotel and entertained at his home; he also paid the hotel bill of his guests. A daughter of this man was a mem¬ ber of our church in America, who had frequently written him that in the Evangelical Association she had found a good church home. On March 19, 1S65, Bishop Esher preached his first sermon in Switzer¬ land to a large audience in Buchs. From this place the brethren journeyed to the Canton Graubuend- ten. In Chur they were roughly accosted by a relative of American friends,, but in Hartenstein and Felsburg they found a cordial reception. They were privileged to preach in the churches to large congregations. After Bro. Fuessle had preached in a number of towns to large gatherings, meeting with a friendly reception, he discovered that the newspapers in Chur had published slanderous art¬ icles against him. He was unceremoniously trans¬ ported by officers at different places. The entire 8 Oanton Graubuendten was stirred against the bishop and Fuessle. Most incredible slanders and insinua¬ tions were spread against them, and in four weeks every door was barred against the new missionary. After these experiences in the upper Rhine valley the brethren journeyed to the Bernese <^ Oberland. ,, In Ringenberg on Lake Brienz they were cordially welcomed, and the bishop preached to a large meet¬ ing. From this place they traveled to Nieder- goldbaeh, near Burgdorf. Before parting from Bro. Fuessle, Bishop Esher advised him to put forth efforts in the Canton Schaffhausen, to make his abode in Buchs, thence to seek entrance in other directions. In his first year in Switzerland Bro. Fuessle served appointments in the Cantons Schaffhausen, Zuerich, Glarus and St. Gallen. The upper Rhine valley being closed in the summer he made re¬ peated trips into the so-called Klettgau, finding favorable openings. He moved to Neukirch, Schaffhausen. In the Canton Glarus he was kindly received in Glarus, Mollis, etc., and preached to large audiences. His twenty preaching places were widely separated, the Lord abundantly blessing his labors. In the spring of 1866 Fuessle married and moved to Unterhallau. Soon thereafter a terrible storm of persecution arose, culminating in the ban¬ ishment of himself and wife from Switzerland under the pretex't that Bro. Fuessle was an alien. (He was a Swabian.) He had scarcely settled in Unter¬ hallau when he received a document stating that he was not wanted, that the signers were enemies of all religious societies and that they would put forth their utmost efforts to drive him away. Bro. Fuessle returned to Wuerttemberg, and Bro. Jacob Schmidli, a native Swiss, was appointed to take his place. 9 In 1866 Rev. Jacob Kaechele, of Canada, sent by the Board of Missions to Europe, was appointed by the Germany Conference to Switzerland. Bro. Bernhard Beck was also assigned to the Swiss work. Kaechele moved to Bern, extending his work to Thun. From here it extended to Oberhofen, Goldi- wyl, etc., into the Bernese ‘ ‘ Oberland ,” to Wengen- alp, near the famous “ Jungfrau ,’’ to Beatenberg, Interlaken, later into the Simmenthal and still later into the Frutigthal. In the “Oberland” the jour¬ neys of the missionary were frequently most diffi¬ cult and hazardous. When snow storms raged in the mountains it was dangerous to meet appoint¬ ments, and at times the missionaries had bleeding feet. In the course of the year 1867 Bro. Beck was called from eastern Switzerland to take Bro. Schmidli’s place, the latter being sent to outposts. At Burgdorf Schmidli preached for the first time May 19, 1867. A Sunday-school was organized and soon thereafter bitter opposition developed. The missionary and a Sunday-school teacher were charged with conducting a school without a teach¬ er ’s license. Bro. Schmidli declared that the Sun¬ day-school could not possibly be classified as a public school within the meaning of the law. The missionary and teacher were each fined 30 Francs. The judge was severely criticized by the secular press for his decision. June 23, 1867, Schmidli preached for the first time in Langenthal. Meet¬ ings were largely attended and people were con¬ verted. Vehement opposition resulted in making the cause more widely known. August 11, 1867, Schmidli laid the foundation for a wonderful work in Zofingen. In a rented room he began his lab¬ ors; it was soon too small and the missionary rented the first story of the house, but this also was soon too small. The meetings were transferred to the third floor, and this room served its purpose until 10 a suitable church could be built. In that upper room hundreds of souls were led to Christ. Speak-' ing of the meetings Bro. Schmidli wrote: “Oh, the heavenly feasts, the ever memorable revelations of God’s power, the blessed hours of Tabor glory!” He had to preach in almost every village in the neighborhood. After two years this field became self-supporting, and in the third year it was con¬ stituted the first circuit in Switzerland. A large number of our pastors came forth from this field. Despite bitter opposition the work moved on vic¬ toriously. The first district meeting in Europe was held in 1867 in Thun. It proved a great blessing and en¬ couragement to all participants. In one service 60 penitents presented themselves in public. At Erlen- bach in the lower Simmenthal Bro. Kaechele preached for the first time. When Bro. Schmidli preached there August 22, 1867, friends and foes gathered in large numbers. Scarcely had worship begun when a great tumult arose; cowbells, tin pans, horns and other instruments were used to cause a deafening noise. Two weeks later Bro. Schmidli held a remarkable meeting here, such as he had never seen before. Perfect quiet prevailed, for in the neighboring house lay a dead man. Many people were unable to get into the place of wor¬ ship. Solemnity and closest attention prevailed, hearts were deeply affected, and the power of God, which finally became irresistible, attended the preaching of the Word. A Stundist by the name of Klossner, who before this meeting had taken Schmidli to task, forgot all about his criticisms. Many people cried aloud for pardon, some fell to the floor as if dead, and at the close of prayer none arose. Schmidli tried to get the people to their feet by singing, but the louder he sang the 11 louder they cried for mercy. Klossner, under deep conviction, said to Schmidli: “I am the greatest of hyprocrites, I thought I had religion, but I have none.” From 9:30 until 11:30 o’clock the multi¬ tude remained on their knees. Bro. Schmidli had never before experienced such manifestations. He feared the police might arrest all participants, but later believed they could not have done so, for all was under the control of the Holy Spirit. Scoffers were struck dumb, and terror was pictured upon their faces. The Stundist Klossner, realizing the pardon of his sins, arose to his feet and sang, “Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices.” The enthusiastic singing raised the people from their knees. No one could be induced to leave, so at midnight Bro. Schmidli decided to preach a second time, choosing for his text Gen. 32: 26. It seemed as though in this midnight hour heaven came down to earth. The preacher thought of his long foot-tour on the coming day (about 18 miles) and succeeded in closing the meeting at about 2 o’clock in the morning. The next morn¬ ing early Klossner led Schmidli into a house near¬ by where he saw a sight never to be forgotten— instead of retiring to rest penitent seekers had met there and wrestled as Jacob of old with God. In a few days over 30 persons were converted. Two weeks after this remarkable meeting an¬ other meeting was appointed, and Bro. Schmidli expected a richly blessed service, but a dark night of suffering followed. Near the place of meeting 15 to 20 ferocious fellows surprised and surrounded him. All the way to Wimmis, a distance of five to six miles, they treated him in a most shocking manner. Near Wimmis is a bridge 40 feet high across the Simme river. A threat to cast Schmidli into the stream did not frighten him. A deep di- 12 vine peace kept his heart at rest. In Wimmis he was cast into prison; here he spent a night never to be forgotten. During this night a sister ran 15 miles from Erlenbach to Thun to inform Bro. Schmidli’s landlord of the arrest, who telegraphed to Bro. Kaechele in Bern. Great was the surprise of the latter when he arrived in Thun with the first train to see Bro. Schmidli free and happy, coming to meet him. Schmidli’s attorney preferred heavy charges against 15 men who had caused his arrest. Pressed to withdraw his suit Schmidli finally con¬ sented on condition that charges against him be withdrawn; that his persecutors publicly confess their wrong-doing; that in the future they molest no Evangelical preachers; that they pay all costs. From this time on the work of God spread wonder¬ fully, on all hands doors were opened and many souls turned to the Lord. In the year 1868-69 Geo. Vetter and G. Gaehr were sent to Thun, where at the time and for sev¬ eral years thereafter the work was of greater im¬ portance than in the capital city of Bern. Besides Thun the missionaries had 22 regular semi-monthly appointments. Bro. Gaehr was the first missionary to go to Saanen, 36 miles above Thun. This place later became a regular appointment. Bern and surroundings were served the same year by Bro. A. H. Beck. Bro. Schmidli now lived in Burgdorf, also serving Langenthal. This field had 15 ap¬ pointments, was called Aargau mission and in¬ cluded Zofingen, Aarburg, Hirschthal, Rohrbach, Basel, etc. In 1868-69 J. M. Hurter was Schmidli ; s assistant; they served 27 appointments. In 1869- 70 Zofingen mission increased to 37 appointments, J. Knapp assisting. This was a very stirring but also a richly blessed year. In 1870-71 Zofingen mis¬ sion became the first circuit in Switzerland. This 13 year proved a year of trials for Bro. Schmidli. His colleague, Bro. G-. Hofer, died after a short period of service. Overwork caused Bro. Schmidli J s health to fail rapidly. BEGINNINGS IN FRANCE AND RUSSIA. I. Alsace. —In the beautiful provinces of Alsace and Lorraine, since the war transferred to France, religious conditions at the time of the establishment of missionary work by the Evangelical Church were practically the same as in Germany and Switzerland. Hearing the insistent call for help from these provinces, rich by nature, yet spiritually poor and neglected, the missionary forces of the Church re¬ sponded to the same. In 1866 Rev. Jacob Schaefle, a native of Alsace, converted through the influence of our Church in America and later joining the ministerial ranks of the Illinois Conference, felt constrained to visit his native land. Received in the most friendly manner he was permitted to preach in a number of churches. Finding many people hungering and thirsting for the Word of God Schaefle proposed to the Church, through the columns of the Christliche Botschafter, that a mis¬ sion be established in Alsace. In the year 1868 Rev. J. P. Schnatz, formerly of the Ohio Confer¬ ence, was sent by the European Conference to Strassbourg, then as now in French territory. He fully appreciated the difficulties before him. Bi¬ shop Esher, a native Alsatian, wept tears of joy but also of sympathy for the new missionary, happy that his beloved church was about to begin this enterprise in the land of his birth. Through the good offices of the American Vice- Consul, Mr. Theo. Krueger, Bro. Schnatz succeeded in finding a house in Strassbourg for his family. Upon application to the prefect to hold religious 14 meetings he met refusal. He had to content him¬ self with private gatherings in his home, only nineteen persons being permitted to attend. Bro. Schnatz, through Vice-Consul Krueger, the Amer¬ ican Consul at Strassbourg, Mr. Robinson, and the American Ambassador at Paris, General Dix, ap¬ plied to the French government for permission to conduct religious services. One week before Christ¬ mas in 1868 Bro. Schnatz, having anxiously waited and alternately hoped and feared for several months, the American Consul called on him to communicate the gratifying news that permission to hold religious meetings had been granted. In a new locality the missionary secured a larger room and living quarters in order to accommodate more people. Eternity alone can reveal the good accomplished in this community despite all hind¬ rances. While waiting for permission from Paris Bro. Schnatz had preached at Wangen, Bischweiler, Oberhoffen and Baldenheim (Bishop Esher’s birth¬ place). In his missionary journeys he also visited Duerenenzen, Colmar and other places in the Rhine valley and entered Lorraine. He traveled great distances on foot and preached almost every night. Small rooms were packed with people, and often the air was vitiated. In November, 1869, a chapel building society was organized in Strassbourg. This society rendered excellent service toward the erection of a church. In 1870 the membership was 60, and about 300 persons attended service. Dur¬ ing the siege of Strassbourg in 1871 Bro. Schnatz and family suffered many hardships. For a long time they were cut off from the support of the Missionary Society, but the Lord provided wonder¬ fully. Having been frightened by the explosion of a bomb in their house Bro. Schnatz with his family left Strassbourg, and remained at the home of his father-in-law in Wuerttemberg until the 15 siege of Strasbourg was raised. Being a foreigner he was permitted with his family to leave the city. In 1873, having served Strassbourg successfully for five years, Bro. Schnatz was called to America as collector for church buildings in Europe. Bro. K. Zwingli, now a veteran of the Swiss Confer¬ ence, succeeded him. On April 13, 1871, at the close of the Franco- Prussian w T ar, Jac. Kaechele and Jac. Schmidli entered Colmar. After some difficulty in securing permission to hold religious meetings Schmidli con¬ ducted the first service here May 4, 1871, in a rented hall. From the beginning meetings were well attended. This proved one of Bro. Schmidli ; s most blessed years. He also entered the important centers of Muelhausen in Upper Alsace, Muenster, near the Yosges mountains and many other towns and villages. At the close of this conference year Bro. Schmidli, who was in a precarious condition, emigrated to America that he might regain his health. II. Russia. —For some 'y ears before the estab¬ lishment of our missions in Russian many friends of the missionary enterprise both in America and Europe entertained the hope and desire that the Gospel might be taken by missionaries of our Church to that great country. Many of our mem¬ bers in America coming from Russia clamored for the privilege of supporting missions in their native land. On the occasion of his episcopal trip to Europe in the year 1910 Bishop S. C. Breyfogel, accompanied by Rev. Max Richter, superintendent of Koenigsberg district, journeyed to Petrograd, Riga and other important centers for the purpose of securing information relative to the establish¬ ment of mission work in Russia. So urgent were the pleas of informed Russian people, thoroughly understanding the spiritual needs of their coun- 16 trymen, for our work and workers, that Bishop Breyfogel in the Fall of the same year, having reported to the Board of Missions the result of his investigations, advised the establishment of a mis¬ sion in Russia. After due consideration the Board of Missions resolved that our Church enter Russia as a mission field, and that the city of Riga (now in Latvia) constitute her first mission in that coun¬ try. The North German Conference declared its willingness to supply the missionary for this im¬ portant new enterprise, and the Woman’s Mission¬ ary Society generously offered to furnish the means for his support. Rev. Reinhold Barchet was the missionary appointed to undertake the important task of locating and organizing the new work. With his companion he arrived at Riga on May 11, 1911. On his new field of activity new un¬ accustomed problems confronted the missionary. Private devotional meetings were allowed, how¬ ever, only twenty-five persons were permitted to attend. After repeated efforts both in Riga and Petrograd the new missionary finally succeeded in securing permission to organize a society with a legally drawn up constitution, said society having the name “Evangelical Association—White Cross.” In the first paragraph of the constitution the ob¬ ject of this society was stated to be to contribute toward the moral uplift of the people in accordance with the principles of the Word of God. In order to attain this object permission was given to organ¬ ize auxiliary societies, to erect benevolent institu- tions, and to publish literature in all parts of the Russian empire. The society having elected Bro. Barchet president he was privileged to deliver ad¬ dresses in all halls rented by the same. Shortly after the organization of the society a splendid hall centrally located was secured in Riga. Both the hall and the meetings had to be reported to 17 the police. After further parleying with the , authorities the missionary was finally given to understand that he might go on with his work according to the provisions of the constitution of the society. Under the manifest favors of God the work moved on successfully, many souls be¬ ing won for Christ. A Sunday-school was organ¬ ized, and in less than a year’s time after the organization of the work an auxiliary mission was opened on the opposite shore of the Duena river. Here the hall was soon too small to accommodate the people. After all the difficulties experienced in establishing this work and just at a time when it was in the enjoyment of healthful development and growth came the cruel world war which tore it asunder. A remnant of faithful ones remains, faithful to their Lord as well as to the Church. III. Poland.—Three fields of the Church in the new republic of Poland were established, developed and fostered by our North German Con¬ ference. They are Posen (Poznan), Bromberg (Bydgoszcz), and Vandsburg (Wiecbork). On the two first named fields the membership has been greatly reduced on account of removals. Vands¬ burg is the largest field in Poland with ten ap¬ pointments, 360 members, ten Sunday-schools with 292 scholars, four young people’s societies and a men’s society with 130 members. Vandsburg has chiefly a rural membership, our people own land, and for this reason the emigration from this field has not been as general as from other parts of the country. Since the work in Poland can no longer be managed by the North German Conference it naturally comes under the jurisdiction of the Board of Missions, and thus is a charge of our denomi nation. 18 CHURCH INSTITUTIONS. Our Publishing Interests. —The pioneer leaders of our Church work in Europe fully appreciating the value of the press in their early day decided to make use of this excellent agency in furthering its interests. In a most unpretentious way they launched out on this undertaking. At the outset these early builders of our European Church struc¬ ture were necessitated to move along cautiously and slowly in establishing any new enterprise. Near the close of the year 1863 they made provi¬ sional arrangements to publish a religious paper. These were perfected long before the establishment of a publishing house. Certain circumstances re¬ quiring prompt and energetic action the brethren, in those days of rather slow transportation, finding it quite impossible to await ratification on the part of the authorities in America, decided to proceed at once in starting the new enterprise. Bro. Schnatz said to Bro. Wollpert: “I nominate you as editor, and we will all assist you.” The latter undertook the work, the brethren invoking God’s blessing and all laboring together harmoniously, and thus the undertaking succeeded. The new publication received the appropriate name Evail- gelische Botschafter (Evangelical Messenger), the first issue appearing late in December, 1863, as a 16-page paper bearing the suggestive and appro¬ priate motto on its title page: “In essentials un¬ ity, in non-essentials liberty and in all things love.” The first article for this new periodical was writ¬ ten by Bro. J. P. Schnatz on the subject: “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever. ’ ’ J. P. Raiger in Nuertingen, Wuertt., was the prin¬ ter. The paper succeeded beyond all expectation, was well supported and read with general interest. Concerning this new and timely undertaking Bro. 19 Schnatz wrote as follows: “By the grace of God we succeeded in bringing into existence the Evan- gelisehe Botscliafter in its modest, though decided attitude. This was accomplished by trust in God and the voluntary support of our friends without financial aid from America; the accounts soon showed a surplus, which was applied to the further¬ ance of Christ’s kingdom. Ever since it has ac¬ complished much good, which can only be revealed in the light of eternity. ’ ’ From time to time the circulation of the Evangelische Botschafter in¬ creased rapidly, the laity as well as ministry and young and old co-operating in extending its in¬ fluence as widely as possible. In 1864 a small hymn-book was published, which proved of great benefit to the Sunday-schools, also finding much favor in other circles and being used to great ad¬ vantage. The children sang with great joy from this book. The need of a Sunday-school publication hav¬ ing been keenly felt for some time the pastors had endeavored for years to supply the same by the use of small tracts. Often had the advisability of issuing a Kinderfreund for the children and youth been discussed, but on account of a lack of means such a periodical did not appear until early in the year 1870. It was given the name Der EVangeli- sche Kinderfreund (Evangelical Children’s Friend). Bro. Lorenz Eisenhardt was its first editor. Great joy prevailed when the first number of this paper was distributed in the Sunday-schools. It first ap¬ peared as a monthly, but already in its second year it was published semi-monthly and later as a week¬ ly. As such it has been issued ever since, being read by a great host of readers. By the year 1875 the Evangelische Botschafter already had 10,552 subscribers, which number through the decades has more than tripled. In 1878 the European publish- 20 ing house in Stuttgart was established. In the fine large building on Schlosstrasse in the beautiful capital of Wuerttemberg, also used for church ser¬ vices, the literature of the church in Europe was printed for many years. After a successful ex¬ pansion of the business under God’s blessing and the commendable co-operation of our forces its re¬ moval in the year 1902 to the present splendid building on Senefelderstrasse was an epoch in the history of our European publishing interests. This change was made under the efficient administration of Publisher A. H. Beck, who still has his home under the hopsitable roof of the publishing house in Stuttgart. Bro. R. Kuecklich, the present cap¬ able publisher, also lives within its walls. Editor Max Richter has charge of the Church publications, emanating regularly from this great institution of the Church. Through the mighty influence for good constantly pouring forth from our publshing concern in Stuttgart the interests of our beloved Church on the European continent are being splen¬ didly fostered and advanced. In the course of time a branch publishing house was established in Bern, Switzerland, which is also enjoying a successful business career. The present efficient publisher of this concern is Bro. P. F. Schaer and the editor of the Evangelische Botschaf- ter Bro S. F. Maurer. Both European publishing houses are amenable to the Board of Publication in America, having under its supervision all publishing interests of the Church. The Deaconess Cause. —Recognizing the splendid advantages of the noble deaconess cause our work¬ ers in Europe over 35 years ago, about the year 1887, called for sisters willing to dedicate them¬ selves to the ministry of suffering humanity. From the very beginning of this most worthy enterprise the signal blessings of God have attended the lab-. 21 ors of our deaconesses on the European continent. Not only are these consecrated, well trained and gifted sisters able to minister to the physical wants of their patients, but to their spiritual needs as well. They are trained Christian nurses who in their service of love meet the needs of both soul and body. When a terrible cholera scourge was visited upon Hamburg in the year 1892 and terror- stricken residents fled before its devastating, murderous onslaught Evangelical deaconesses, con¬ strained by their love for Christ and perishing hum¬ anity, took their lives into their hands and cour¬ ageously journeyed to that troubled city with its terrified inhabitants to render aid so far as lay within their power. We have reason to rejoice that through our blessed deaconess institution in Europe workers of such noble Christian character and disposition were trained. What an evidence their lives and labors are of the real worth of the Christian religion. Little need we be surprised that our pastors readily acknowledge that to the unselfish, untiring labors of our consecrated deacon¬ esses much of the success of our work in Europe is due. The parent home of this institution is located at Elberfeld, Germany, where deaconesses are trained. In Germany, Switzerland and Alsace we have at present in round numbers 450 deaconesses, many of whom are located in large centers of population, ministering to thousands of patients annually. As a result of more recent developments on the European continent the members of this great benevolent institution, with others, recognized the great need of establishing orphanages and old people’s homes for the care of the many orphans and dependent old people. In Herrenalb and Ilonau, Wuertt., the South Germany Conference has established Old People’s Homes, and in Gross- Tabarz, Thuringia, the North Germany Conference 22 lias a home for children and Bad Wildungen near Cassel, has a splendid relief and Old People’s home. In Switzerland also the establishment of an orphange and an old peoples’ home has recently been considered. Educational Institutions.—In the course of the development of our work in Europe the great im¬ portance of the cause of education was recognized. The Theological Seminary at Reutlingen, Wuertt., established in 1877, had for its first director Rev. J. Kaechele. Although this institution proved a distinct blessing to the cause in training young men in Europe for the ministry before the erection of the splendid seminary buidling, yet its success dates more especially from the time in the year 1905, when, by the help of our forces in America and Europe (the Young People having a consid¬ erable share in the work), this edifice was erected. The successful leaders of this splendid training school for our theological students were Eevs. A. H. Beck, G. Heinmiller, (later editor of the Christ- liche Botschafter and since 1915 bishop, until his death in 1922), J. Schempp, sr., and Dr. E. Frick. The last named is at present the efficient director of the seminary. He and Rev. J. Schempp, jr., and F. Schweingruber (the last named of the Switzer¬ land Conference) are training our candidates from the three European conferences for the Gospel ministry. Many of our successful ministers are graduates of this excellent institution and are to¬ day rendering valuable service in practically all parts of our European work. After the recent trying years the management took up its arduous duties with new courage and zeal. The students, of whom there are at present about 26, have their rooms and board in the seminary building. Be¬ sides pursuing their courses of study they are called upon to render practical service in the field, fill- 23 ing preaching appointments on adjacent charges. Although the attendance at Reutlingen Seminary is considered quite encouraging, yet the cry for more trained workers in the Gospel ministry con¬ tinues insistent both in Europe and America. Sunday-school Activities. —At the very outset of our undertakings in Germany and Switzerland the pioneers of our Church had a clear conception of the significance and importance of the Sunday- school as an institution for the accomplishment of practical good. Soon after the establishment of our Church work in those lands the value of the press as an agency for practical missionary en¬ deavor being fully appreciated by our workers was soon utilized. Realizing the need of special liter¬ ature for successful Sunday-school work this was promptly introduced. Soon after the appearance of the “ Evangelische Botschafter ’ ’ the “Evange- lische Kinderfreund” made its initial bow, and not long thereafter a Sunday-school song book was published. Out of this book the children sang with great joy. Calling to mind the continued bitter opposition to our Sunday-schools in many parts of the work (especially in Saxony) on the part of forces of the established Church it is really sur¬ prising and worthy of comment how under God’s blessing and approval this enterprise nevertheless- flourished and grew. The divine blessing attended our Sunday-school activities in Europe in a signal manner and in abundant measure, and through the- passing decades the Lord in his gracious providence overruled events in such a manner that relentless opposition, which at one time had made it possible to reduce to a pitiful little company Sunday-schools numbering participants by the hundreds, was over¬ come. Let us briefly consider facts concerning our Sunday-schools in Europe. Take, e. g., our two- large prosperous Sunday-schools in the city of 24 ICoenigsherg in Eastern Prussia, with a membership in round numbers of 2,400. Think of our Sunday- schools in Berlin with about 1,400 participants, of those in the industrial section of Germany (includ¬ ing Muehlheim on the Ruhr, Essen, Bochum, Dort¬ mund, Gelsenkirchen, etc.) with their thousands of Sunday-school members; then let us remember that in Dresden, Stuttgart, Reutlingen, Zofingen, Zue- rich, Burgdorf, etc., and in Strassburg, Alsace, etc., there are many more large Sunday-schools, together numbering participants by the thousands. The Sunday-school of our Koenigsberg Second church has in round numbers 1,200 members, being our largest Sunday-school in Europe. Today the membership of our Sunday-schools in Europe exceeds that of the congregations by almost one-half, the Sunday-school membership in Switzer¬ land being nearly treble that of the congregations. According to the latest obtainable statistics the congregations in the North Germany Conference number 10,717 Church members and 16,672 Sun¬ day-school members; the South Germany Conference 10,219 Church members and 19,872 members of Sunday-schools and the Switzerland Conference 7,503 Church members and 17,542 Sunday-school members. In North and South Germany we have in 1921 a grand total of 350 Sunday-schools (gain 17) with 2,059 officers and teachers (gain 261) and 34,485 scholars (gain 5,610). The grand total of Sunday-school membership of both Germany Con¬ ferences (including officers and teachers) is 36,- 716. The Switzerland Conference (including Al¬ sace) reports 191 Sunday-schools with 735 officers and teachers and 16,807 scholars; total, 17,542 (gain 885.) The grand total membership of our Sunday-schools in Europe amounts to 54,086. What a mighty host of Sunday-school workers and schol¬ ars, promising great things for the future of our 25 cause and Christ’s kingdom! Already many effi¬ cient workers for the cause, locally and generally, have come forth from our Sunday-schools in Eu¬ rope. Among these are capable preachers of the Gospel, noble workers in the deaconess cause con¬ secrated to the needs of suffering humanity and splendid forces for the missionary enterprise both at home and abroad. Catechetical Instruction. —It is greatly to be desired that the value of catechetical instruction might be appreciated in our American conferences as is generally the case in our work in Europe. In these days of superficial teaching, when the doctrines of the Scriptures are not properly empha¬ sized, catechetical instruction has become a matter of all the greater significance and importance. ‘ 1 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” On practically all our European fields of labor we have, catechetical classes: an enviable record. In these the children are thoroughly indoctrinated in the teachings and truths of the Bible. By this training they are prepared for subsequent important steps and decisions in life, and many are directly led to the Saviour and into the experience of pardoning grace. The following statistical facts with refer¬ ence to this most useful educative institution, affecting the lives of the children in our European work, are both instructive and gratifying. In the North Germany Conference there are 106 catechet¬ ical classes with 855 catechumens; in the South Ger¬ many Conference 70 such clases and 568 catechu¬ mens, and in the Switzerland Conference there are 60 catechetical classes with 568 catemumens. The grand total number of catechetical classes in Efirope is 236 with a membership of 1,994. Young People’s Work. —Since the General Con¬ ference in the year 1891 organized the Young Peo- 26 pie’s Alliance our European conferences partici¬ pated in this educational feature of Church work with ever increasing interest. With splendid lead¬ ership, which is of greatest importance in work among young people, success attended the efforts of enlisting the interest and intelligent, effective co¬ operation of our youthful forces in Europe in practical Church work. According to statistics sub¬ mitted to our European conferences in the current year there are in the North Germany Conference 134 Evangelical Leagues with a membership of 5,543, in the South Germany Conference 145 Leagues having a membership of 6,252, and in the Switzerland Conference (including Alsace) 75 Leagues with a membership numbering 2,583. In our three European conferences the grand total of Leagues amounts to 354, these having a membership of 14,378. Recently the interest in the cause of our young people in the old lands of the Reformation has grown rapidly and in a most gratifying way. In order that they might be trained to co-operate in practical endeavors for the Lord, the Church and the kingdom of Christ in as systematic and uniform a way as possible^ and, furthermore, inasmuch as efficient leadership in the cause of the Evangelical League in this critical time of transition and recon¬ struction in European countries both in church and state will prove of most vital importance to the cause of Christ, our conferences in Germany and the Switzerland conference became convinced that the time had come when it was advisable to entrust the work of their young people to special secreta¬ ries. The men elected to these important positions are: In the North Germany Conference W. Joern, in the South Germany Conference L. Maier, and in the Switzerland Conference E. Reimann. The cause has entered upon a new era of prosperity. The picture in this column presents to the readers the 27 youthful leaders of our Young People’s Work in the European conferences. For the purpose of mutual encouragement, to effect co-operation of the forces and in order to work most effectively the widely-extended field the young people’s societies were grouped into five districts, viz.: Duesseldorf, Hannover, Kassel, Ber¬ lin and Danzig. Each district is under the leader¬ ship of a committee of five. Each group conducts uniform courses for leaders, holds district rallies and arranges for deputation and visitation work among the societies. Concerning work among the young people of the Switzerland Conference Secretary E. Reimann writes as follows: “ Since June, 1919, after thorough preliminary work, we effected a reorganization of the young people’s work. The annual conference elected a Young People’s board, which has charge of the en¬ tire young people’s work, including all Evangelical Leagues and Sunday-schools. With the assistance of the Young People’s Secretary, who has traveled for a number of years visiting all congregations, so¬ cieties and Sunday-schools, the Board endeavors to effect uniformity on the entire territory, to bring leaders and members into touch with each other, to deepen the spiritual life of the young people, to effect joint action, to foster the young people’s work, to be concerned with the solution of problems as they arise and to advise individual congrega¬ tions, societies and Sunday-schools. Our Forward Movement objectives are: 1. Con¬ ducting a course for teachers at four different places; 2. a gain of 2,000 new Sunday-school schol¬ ars; 3. to secure for the ‘ Jugendfreund’ an average of ten new subscribers on each field of labor; 4. to secure funds looking toward the establishment of a ‘Young People’s and Bible Home’ (the first 28 aim for this project was 10,000 francs). Most gratifying results have thus far been achieved. Most of our pastors have reorganized and in con¬ formity with the general organizations have placed the leading appointments of their charges under the supervision of one local Young People’s board. The interests of the young people are represented by the 1 Jugendfreund, ’ a paper which is greatly appreci¬ ated. Our general aims, briefly stated, are: Saving young people by saved young people, training saved young people for missionary service and preparing them for the return of the King. Our weapons are unalterably God’s Word, a faithful prayer-life and zealous labor in great and little things.” From the youthful circles of our blessed work in Europe the Church has won a number of mis¬ sionary workers for service in the foreign field. In the year 1876 the then youthful missionary A. Halmhuber journeyed from Wuerttemberg by way of America to far-off Japan. His companion, nee Kaechele, also came from that country. Other missionaries of our Church from South Germany are Mrs. C. B. Wahl (daughter of Rev. J. Schempp, sr.,) and Miss Natalie Berner (daughter of the sainted Rev. C. Berner) for many years one of our faithful kindergarteners in Japan. Miss Martha Schroedter, missionary in China, hails from Silesia and is a fruit of our North Germany Conference. Miss Gertrude Kuecklich, kindergartener in Japan, is the daughter of our efficient publisher in Stutt¬ gart. PRESENT STATUS OF THE WORK. Throughout the terrifying years of the war and as a result of its frightful aftermath our European conferences underwent great suffering. Although the loss both in pastors and members in these dark days of testing was a very severe one, yet it may 29 be gratefully said that in the very midst of the war-period the work was blessed with glorious spir¬ itual victories, causing it to develop in its inner life as well as outwardly and to be strengthened. Our forces laboring together under the greatest hardships and hindrances united in self-denying devotion and earnest, untiring labor, and in great mercy the Lord of the harvest blessed their en¬ deavors in his name and gave the increase. Many of our workers either fell in the war or were the victims of diseases, resulting from and contracted in the appalling days of the gigantic struggle. Despite these losses, with such as are to be ex¬ pected under normal conditions, the cause never¬ theless under God’s blessing moved forward suc¬ cessfully. The active missionary spirit of the Evangelical Church, thank God, in a very definite way actuates her forces in Europe. By this spirit her various institutions, interests and activities are permeated and constrained to service. By the wide dissemi¬ nation of our periodicals, books and other Chris¬ tian literature a veritable stream of blessing flows forth from our publishing house in Stuttgart, Wuertt., over the bounds of our two German con¬ ferences, the influence of wdiich cannot be esti¬ mated. In their endeavors to expand the influence for good of our literature our pastors have the cheerful assistance of official members of churches, Young People’s workers, deaconesses and others. It is not surprising, considering-this fact, that our Church papers in Europe are so widely circulated and wield so great an influence for good. Prom our book concern in Bern abundant blessings flow through our periodicals, books, etc., over the work in Switzerland and Alsace-Lorraine. The follow¬ ing brief summary shows the circulation of our 30 leading periodicals in relation to our membership in the three European conferences: “Der Evangelische “Der Evangelische Subscribers Botschafter’’ Kinderfreund” North German— 11,300 11,500 South German— 17,093 17,172 Switzerland and Alsace-Lorraine 8,151 8,115 Total 36,544 36,78 7 With their pastors our young people in Europe in their Leagues are earnestly engaged in the Lord’s work. These fresh, youthful forces, dedicating themselves in the spirit of love to the Lord’s cause, accomplish much good. The splendid deaconess cause, which is active in its ministrations of love in the greater part of our European work, is a mighty factor in the furtherance of God’s cause in general a!nd the influence of the Evan¬ gelical Church in particular. The noble ser¬ vices rendered by our deaconesses in behalf of suffering humanity, the splendid work of parish sisters and of women in many missionary societies in large part contribute toward the upbuilding and enhancement of God’s cause in Europe. Since the war the noble cause of Old People’s and Orphans’ Homes in North and South Germany and Switzer¬ land has come into existence and promises under God’s blessing to prove successful. In the South Germany Conference Honau “Pilgerheim” pro¬ vides for more than 35 aged people. The relief home 11 Gruenerwald” in Herrenalb is providing for many needy ones. A series of Bible Confer¬ ences are conducted here annually. The North Germany Conference has a beautiful Old People’s and Belief home at Bad Wildungen near Cassel and a splendid orphange at Gross-T'abarz in Thu- 31 ringia. The Swiss Conference too is establishing similar institutions within its bounds. Although the work in Alsace-Lorraine had for some time been in a critical condition, yet under the 1 gracious providence of God in recent years it was privileged to enjoy seasons of blessing and re¬ freshing from the presence of the Lord. Our pastors and their faithful coworkers are filled with new courage to move forward in the service of God and the Church. In Muenster our church, which in the war days had been badly wrecked by shells, was again repaired, and before his return trip from Europe rededicated by Bishop G. Heinmiller. It is gratifying that it became possible to strengthen the isolated work in Poland, now under the direct supervision of the Board of Missions, with two additional pastors. The brethren in this country (formerly in the bounds of the North German Conference) find many splendid opportun¬ ities for missionary and evangelistic work. The field is white and ripe to the harvest, it is to be re¬ gretted, however, that laborers are few. In the important city of Biga, Lettland (former¬ ly Russia), in which we. had a most promising start before the war, a fine company of friends, despite the peculiar difficulties of race and language, faithfully clung to the Evangelical Church. These with others earnestly desire that she continue her missionary operations in Riga. Rev. Woldemar Stei- nert and wife and Mrs. Hannah Heinrichsen are leading our forces in Latvia. Many new openings invite our workers, and in the light of these the great lack of adequate help makes itself felt. Although a fine number of students is attending our Reutlingen Seminary preparing for the Gospel ministry, yet when we take into consideration the vast field with its constantly increasing needs there is this great 32 lack of forces to supply the same. In all depart¬ ments of its activities tke great evangelistic suc¬ cess of our European work is manifest; congre¬ gations have been materially strengthened, Sun¬ day-schools and young people’s Leagues are devel¬ oping rapidly and substantially, and through the entire Church life there is evident a spirit of alert and cheerful service and wholesome striving. For over 70 years the Evangelical Church has carried forward her activities in Europe to the glory of God for the salvation of precious souls. Through good and evil report, in the days of prosperity as well as adversity she has constantly kept in view her God-given mission, and after having passed through the fiery trials and testings of the recent years of terror the blessing and approbation of God is resting upon her activities in abundant measure. If our Church had a mission on the Eu¬ ropean continent before the terrifying years from 1914-1918, then surely the fruits of her labors dur¬ ing and since the war-period abundantly prove that this mission has increased in importance and scope. It is her obligation as a Free Church to continue in the well-begun work of soul-saving and the up¬ building of the household of faith with still greater sacrifice and more earnest endeavors. If the in¬ viting opportunities from all sides are to be im¬ proved to the best possible advantage for the great Lord of the harvest and his cause, then it is of utmost importance that more than ever we support our forces in Europe by our prayers and means. While we do this here in America let us not lose sight of the fact that our pastors and members across the Atlantic themselves support the cause entrusted to their care as ability is given them. The ^ following table containing the latest statistical data shows but in part the present status of the work in our European conferences: 33 North German Conference: Pastors 70, Conver¬ sions 1390, Accessions 1330, Members 11,214, Sun¬ day-school Members 16,672, Fund secured 1,589,- 248.00M. South German Conference: Pastors 51, Conversions 2000, Accessions 2003, Members 10,875, Sunday-school Members 20,044, Funds secured 1,- 284,914.49M. Switzerland: Pastors 51, Conversions 543, Accessions 550, Members 7,632, Sunday-school Members 16,630, Funds secured 422,742.75Fr. The work of our Church in Europe merits the best support of the mother church in America; Europe has been in many respects our most pro¬ ductive mission field. The financial needs of this work are growing with leaps and bounds. Special contributions will be greatly appreciated. All monies for this purpose should be sent to the treasurer at Cleveland, Ohio. (See next page) SITTING: B. Kuecklich, J. Sehempp, Sr.,. Bishop S. P. Spreng, A. H. Beck, M. Richter. STANDING: O. Ortmann, W. Joern, E. From- mann, Dr. E. Frick, 0. Schmid, H. Goebel, J. Reichart, J. Sehempp, Jr., C. Rapp. 34 LEADERS OP THE NORTH AND SOUTH GERMAN CONFERENCES' PRESENT AT THE SERVICE, IN 1922, OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PUBLISHING HOUSE IN STUTTGART. 35 ANNUITY GIFTS ■•Safe Investment Sacred Trust You can provide a stated income for life for yourself by making a gift to THE, MISSION ARY SOCIETY of the EVANGELICAL CHURCH on the Annuity Plan. The income will be suie and laige in comparison with equally high grade investments. There are no inheritance taxes, court costs, legal fees to be paid. No worry for the donor. It is a wise charity because there is no will to be broken or con¬ tested, no waste or delay in the settlement of estates. The resources of the Missionary Society are pledged to the Annuitants. The bonds we give are non- attachable. Loss by fire or theft is impossible. There is no fluctuation in value. It cannot be lost, diverted or dissipated. The rate of interest varies with the age of the annuitant at date of gift. It is a good way to provide for the future. / For particulars address THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY of the EVANGELICAL CHURCH 1903 Woodland Ave. Cleveland, Ohio Rev. George Edward Epp, Treasurer. 36