Evening star., 1923-09-15
ADVENT|STS GAIN
CONVERTS ABROAD
Report People of Europe Are
Turning Eagerly to
Christian Gospel.

Christianity is the one panacea
that brings contentment to distressed
Europe, according to Rev. w. A.
Spicer, president of the Worlds Cen
eral Conference of Seventh Day Ad-
ventists, who has returned to his
headquarters in Takoma Park from a
tour of the British Isles, Scandinavia,
Austria, Germany, France and Po-
land.
Civilization is shaking in Europe"
he said, land the people are in
highly nervous state. Many of them
cannot see their way out of the chaos
existing there, but there are many
others who are finding something
tangible in the gospel Thousands
are turning to God as their only
help and strength, and the day of OPP
portunity has arrived for the Chris
tian teacher and preacher to pour into
attentive ears the story of salvation.
Adventists AT Work.
Dr. Spicer said his denomination is
taking advantage of the opportunity,
and not only are evangelistic meet
ings being held in many towns and
cities in various countries of Europe.
but literature explaining the prophe-
cies relating to present day events
is being placed in many thousands of
homes.
markable progress in Europe" he
said. In 1918 we had total mem
bership of $4,000. Some thought that
the war and distress that has follow
ed would bring smash-up, but the
reverse is happening. During the
past ten years the membership has
more than doubled, there being today
a total of $4,000 on our church books.
Many new churches have been or
ganized, and the evangelists are
attracting large and attentive audi
ences. In the district around Ber-
lin alone we have twenty-seven
churches, and this summer / ad-
dressed an audience of 1000 staunch
believers in a single meeting In Ber-
lin.
cies relating to present-day condi-
tions are attracting people, who are
searching after something to help
them te put their feet on something
substantial and lead them out or the
confusion that exists. They see In
the unrest. discomfort and chaos that
are prevalent throughout the conti-
nent a fulfillment of the Scriptures.
which point directly to such condi-
tions existing in the world today
and are accepting the Gospel as a
cure for these ills.
Prepare for Judgment.
thousands of men and women be-
lieve that the European situation
presages greater happenings in the
political, social and financial world
and are preparing themselves for the
great day OF God, which they believe
is Fastening on.
"The Seventh Day Adventists are
taking advantage of the opportuni-
ties to purchase buildings at reason
able figures and are firmly establish
ing themselves in different nations
in order to do a more effective work.
We are busy turning out books and
other kinds of literature in the pub
fishing houses already in operation
and are establishing other plants.
The people want to know the mean
ing of the conditions there and will
ingly purchase the literature that
they think gives them the Bible In
depreciation.
I'VE have publishing houses in
England, France, Germany. Scandi-
nayia, Rumania and Hungary all
working hard to fill orders. We have
repositories in Spain and Portugal
and are establishing publishing houses
in Italy. Jugoslavia. Czechoslovakia
Poland, Lithuania, Latyia and Rus
for these new publishing centers
from the publishing house fund,
which was recently raised through
gifts of adherents in North America.
Work In Latvin.
"In Latvia, a country of less than
three million population. we have
eighty-five colporteurs carrying books
into the homt- of the people. They
have been freed from the yoke that
bound them so long, and now they
are anxious for the Gospel. Six thou
sand copies of one book, treating on
the controversy between Christ and
Satan have been recently placed in
as. many homes in that one little
country"
DR. Spicer says his denomination is
buying homes for the ministers in
different countries and getting build
ings large enough in some instances
to accommodate several families and
also establish conference offices. In
Riga. Russia, a building has just re-
Gently been purchased that will ac-
commodate twenty families, he said,
as well as give room for publishing
purposes.
He says other denominations are
also taking advantage Of the situa-
tion and purchasing buildings for the
enlargement of their work while the
people are in such a receptive atti-
tude for the gospel.