Labors in Central Europe
231
to colporteurs, an effort must be made to inaugurate in central Europe
what had been begun in Scandinavia,—the education of colporteurs to
sell the literature and live upon their commission, without salary. He
also saw that our young men needed employment of a character that
would educate and train them to become efficient workers in the cause
of Christ.
Beginning at Basel, Elder Conradi gathered a group of six or eight
young people, and began to train them for success. He declared that the
people needed the saving truths in our books; that Mrs. White said that
with well trained effort these books could be sold; that Elder Matteson
had proved this true; and that he and his young associates must find
the way. They studied their book until they were enthusiastic about its
great truths, and then as they went out under his encouragement and
instruction, they met with success. [
Note.—At the General Conference
of 1887 it was stated: “The publishing work at Basel has steadily
increased. From the very first, it was evident that our publications must
act a leading part in the Central European field. The denominational
books, tracts, and periodicals issued in various languages are having a
powerful influence for good wherever they are circulated.” (S. D. A.
Year book,
The Ellen G. White 1888 Materials, 120
.)
So prospered were the workers for the larger books and for the
periodicals published at the Imprimerie Polyglotte, that in 1889 elder
O. A. Olsen was able to report a substantial gain in its operation.
“The publishing house at Basel ... has done a good business the past
year,” He declared to the delegates assembled at the 1889 General
Conference. “The annual report shows a gain of $1,559.55 for the
year. When we consider the fact that this office has never before been
self-sustaining, this report is very encouraging. The aggressive work
of the Central European conference this year has been largely in the
direction of Germany.” (
General Conference Daily Bulletin, 1889, 3
.)]
[288]
Development Through Faithful Service
The action of the General Conference Committee in making lib-
eral appropriations for the translation and printing of several large
books in German and French at Basel, had given much work to the
Imprimerie Polyglotte. This opened the way for the employment of a