QUARTERLY 
REVIEW 
ORGAN OF THE SOUTHERN EUROPEAN DIVISION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF S.D.A. 
Vol. XXX �
December 1963 �
Number 4 
A Personal Message to Workers and Members in the 
Southern European Division �
IF'. R. Beach 
Dear Brethren and Sisters: 
It is a great privilege and pleasure 
to speak to you in this personal way 
through the columns of the Quarterly 
Review. 
We have just concluded seven 
weeks of itinerary in Southern Eu-
rope. This renewed contact after 
some nine years of absence from this 
great Division has enabled me to see 
and understand many encouraging 
aspects of God's work. I have been 
able to meet many of you again from 
Athens to Brussels and from Vienna 
to Paris. I have been honored to 
meet so many personally as well as 
in public assembly. Some of you 
have passed through sore trials and 
cruel hardships; for others the lot 
has been cast in pleasant places. You 
live and labor in language and racial 
areas with varying political, economic 
and religious backgrounds. I rejoice 
that close Christian fellowship binds 
you together, not by the mere bonds 
of human organization, but by the 
power of God's truth. Such is the 
might of the Advent message, the 
Living Word of God for our time. 
During these past weeks I have 
been able to witness and measure the 
success that has accompanied God's 
cause. I have been impressed too by 
a number of basic trends. My purpose 
in this message is to sum up my 
impressions and convictions in a 
few short sentences. 
Naturally, my first impression has 
been one of success and growth. The 
Division membership now stands at 
tic, 000, which makes the Southern 
European Division one of the very 
great sections of our world field. A 
careful building program has been 
pursued. More and more the Seventh-
day Adventist landscape is dotted 
with fine churches, institutions and 
evangelistic centers. I was heartened 
by the new center at Thessalonica, 
Greece; with the churches at Inns-
bruck, Austria; Gland, Switzerland, 
and the French college. The chief 
building effort of the past few years 
has been in the mission fields, and 
what has been accomplished there is 
nothing short of miraculous. We 
rejoice to find the churches at home 
more solicitous in regard to the 
development of the work overseas. 
We recognize thus that the work 
must be finished everywhere before 
it is finished anywhere. 
I have rejoiced, too, at the evident 
growth in Godliness that marks so 
many lives and homes. I have found 
a deep longing for a more Spirit-filled 
life. I believe that this trend will bring 
a surge of revival and reformation 
and unmistakable fruits for God's 
Kingdom. 
I have been impressed with an 
increased faith in our fundamental 
doctrines and prophetic interpre-
tations. A predilection for the whim-
sical, the freakish, finds lodging only 
in exceptional cases. Doctrinal fads 
and fancies are the preoccupation of 
a fast-fading few. I believe that the 
church in Southern Europe has set 
Church in St. Denis, Reunion 
herself to know God and to grow up 
in His righteousness. 
During the past weeks many who 
have become weary on the way have 
found again their first love, and will 
now advance with the church into 
the full flood of God's latter rain. 
This should continue to burden us 
in prayer. 
I have found, too, that loyalty to 
the Adventist brotherhood — one 
Message, one Church, one world-
wide Organization — is deeper and 
brighter than ever before. This 
fellowship is not just a philosophical 
notion, a beautiful ideal: it is a reality 
that stands as the one thing worth-
while in countless lives. " Is it not 
wonderful to be a Seventh-day 
Adventist ?" said a Serbian brother as 
we shook hands for the first time in 
nine years. He added: "The Advent 
Message is the only thing I live for." 
This conviction will add strength to 
our church: the impregnable fortress 
that God holds in a revolted world. 
To this end we must wear the garb 
of divine revelation and carry ever 
the atmosphere, not of this culture 
or that culture, but of heavenly 
places. We go out to convert men, 
not to Protestantism or to any special 
brand of Christianity. We bring men 
and women to "God's everlasting 
gospel". Thus can we be received 
without prejudice, and as conscien-
tious co-operators with all men of 
good will and purpose. 
Lastly, I have felt the throb of 
sacrifice and missionary zeal in 
Southern Europe. This can only be 
drawn from a constantly renewed 
passion to save the lost and to bring 
others to the precious light of truth. 
We must never lose the evangelistic 
urge. The sharp edge of truth's 
sword must not be dulled. Every 
worker, every member is called to 
evangelize. The president of the 
Southern European Division has 
given a good example. Every union 
and conference president should fol-
low this example in carrying a per-
sonal responsibility for a successful 
evangelistic program. 
During the past seven weeks we 
have been associated with many of 
your church leaders throughout the 
field. We are greatly encouraged by 
these contacts. These leaders are men 
of God. Indeed, the Lord's work is 
in good hands. 
Then this parting word: Let us 
unite in an unconquerable fellowship. 
Let us restate our message and our 
mission to the world in words that 
glow with burning brands. Let us 
believe our beliefs, enjoy our salvation, 
live a life of victory, and march with 
While the winds of the cold war 
sweep over the big cities on continen-
tal Europe, portending a rather dark 
future, there emerges a calm and peace-
ful atmosphere from the island of 
Reunion, called the "Pearl of the 
Indian Ocean" on account of its 
exotic charm. 
Covering an area of 970 square 
miles and populated by 320,000 in-
habitants, this heap of vulcanic earth 
offers the travellers a very unique 
sight. 
Reunion has belonged to France 
since 164.2. Until 1946 it was consid-
ered a colony, but in that year it be- 
the Word into every "nation, kindred, 
tongue, and people". Very soon we 
shall cast our crowns at Jesus' feet 
and rejoice evermore amidst the shin-
ing glories of the Advent triumph! 
Very sincerely yours, W. R. Beach 
came a French department "beyond 
the seas", and since then a remarkable 
evolution has taken place everywhere 
even astonishing the inhabitants them-
selves. 
The living standard, however, is 
exceptionally low for the majority of 
the population, and the scourge of 
alcoholism is felt many places. 
The native of Reunion is funda-
mentally religious, but his religious 
zeal is somewhat marked by fanaticism 
and superstition inspired by the re-
ligions, which have existed since the 
beginning of its colonization. His in- 
Bright Lights 
on the Island of Reunion 
A. Ouirici 
2 
tellectual level is dependent upon his 
social standing, and although illiteracy 
is on the wane, it has not disappeared 
altogether. 
From this it is evident that the 
preaching of the gospel is not too 
easy here. Yet, we see now and again 
a light shining in the darkness. 
Our mission was started in 1939 by 
P. Girard, and today we have about 
1,000 interested persons, of whom 
44o are baptized. During the year 
1961 almost too persons were added 
to the church by baptism, and these 
results would be much better if 
workers were not so scarce in our 
mission. Other difficulties ase the long 
distances and poor roads, on some of 
which we are not able to turn a car. 
Things like that do not dampen the 
zeal of our members, even those who 
live in the hills round St. Denis. They 
often have to walk 14 to 20 kilo-
meters in order to get to Sabbath 
school in time. They must leave their 
homes at i o'clock in the morning to 
be on time for the services, which 
start with Sabath school at 9 o'clock. 
The members have to walk because 
of their financial situation, and also 
because of poor transportation serv-
ices. 
Such difficulties, however, do not 
diminish the ardor of our members, 
who are very courageous and most 
of whom take an enthusiastic part 
in all evangelistic activities as well as 
in the organized campaigns. 
One rainy evening, at the be-
ginning of the Sabbath, I noticed at 
our prayer meeting an old couple. 
This man and his wife, now about 
8o years of age, had been with us since 
the beginning of the work on the 
island. When I congratulated them 
on their courage to come this evening 
in spite of the rain and wind, they 
said: "It is always a pleasure for us to 
be here at the beginning of the Sab-
bath, after the week's work; in order 
to glorify and thank the Lord for 
His goodness to us in sparing our 
lives yet another week." This simple 
answer moved me deeply. 
To defy popular opinion by adopt-
ing a religion different from others, 
takes courage in an island so beset 
with fears and insular in its outlook. 
The following experience reveals such 
courage: 
On another Friday evening, as I went 
to the door to greet the people who had 
been attending the service, I was happy 
to see Mr. G. and his wife. They pres-
ented themselves to me and told me 
that this was the first time they had 
ever been to an Adventist meeting, 
and they had felt inspired and thanked 
me for the message. The man told 
me that he had been all over the island, 
visiting all churches in order to seek 
spiritual help, but had not found it 
yet. He was tormented by evil spirits, 
who worried him almost constantly 
and especially during the night, so 
his life was unbearable. He had in 
vain consulted both priests and phy-
sicians. The first mentioned had ad-
dressed their favorite saints, and had 
recommended that he get some relics. 
He now had so many of these that 
his room was a proper sanctuary. The 
physicians had looked at his case from 
a medical angle, and when they saw 
they could not help him, they sent 
him away recommending different 
ineffective medicines. 
His condition grew worse. He had 
not worked for two years; he hardly 
ate, and slept even less. In the evenings 
when he approached what he called 
his "sanctuary" he saw the statues 
moving around, which added to his 
distress. As he was the father of eight 
children, he felt very distraught on 
account of his inability to work 
enough. He now began to attend 
our meetings regularly, studied the 
Bible and prayed much, and soon the 
Lord worked a miracle on his behalf 
restoring him to full health and 
strength. 
While he was studying, the nuns 
would come and visit him. They 
tried to disuade him from attending 
the meetings, they took his Bible 
from him pretending that they wanted 
to show it to the priest, but it was never 
returned to him. During it all Mr. 
and Mrs. G. have faithfully come to 
our services, and are very happy in 
the peace they have found. 
The most urgent needs for our 
mission are the following: 
The construction of a new church 
building in St. Denis, capital of the 
island. The present building with 
225 seats, built during the last war, 
is now too small for the approxi-
mately 30o persons attending regu-
larly. 
The establishment of a primary 
school for the children in St. Denis. 
The situation for many of our chil- 
dren is not easy. The government 
schools are inadequate, inasmuch as 
there are not enough teachers, and 
every year many students are turned 
away because of lack of room. The 
religious and spiritual education of-
fered in our own school would be of 
great inspiration and help. 
The construction of a chapel in the 
Montagne district on the hills about 
8 kilometers from St. Denis. We have 
here 25 members, about zo young 
people, and many interested persons 
with their children. 
The organization of a church in 
St. Benoit, a small village at the edge 
of the sea, 45 kilometers from 
St. Denis and 15 kilometers from 
St. Andre, where we have a chapel 
with 3o members. An Adventist 
couple from St. Benoit has to attend 
the services in St. Andre, and there 
are other families preparing for bap-
tism in the near future. We must pro-
vide a place of worship for these 
people, who right now meet in the 
home of one of the interested persons 
once in every two weeks. These friends 
beg us for a house of prayer, and we 
are sure that by getting such a building 
the interest in our message in that 
part of the:island will greatly increase. 
To realize these projects we seek 
first of all the aid of the Lord, and 
then we ask all our members and 
friends to pray for us, not forgetting 
that material help will also encourage 
our work. 
News Flash 
From Reunion we have just received 
the latest Radio report, and from it 
we learn that twenty-nine souls have 
been added to the church during the 
third quarter of 1963. We rejoice 
with the workers in this remote is-
land, that they do not work in vain. 
3 
The Seminary Extension 
School in Colionges-sous-Saleve 
P. Steiner 
The Summer Extension Course of 
Andrews University ended on July 
3t, and the final festive hours proved 
a grand climax to the busy weeks 
spent in study and teaching. 
The last rays of the sun setting 
behind the Jura mountains played 
through the windows of the beauti-
ful church at Collonges-sous-Saleve, 
when hundreds of visitors from far 
and near hastened up the hillside to 
find a seat in the crowded hall. Every-
thing in the simple but beautiful 
chapel was pleasing: the many flowers 
banked on the platform, and the 
meetings of many old friends who 
had not seen each other for years. 
The sixty-two evangelists and work-
ers, representing i z different coun-
tries, were relieved to know that this 
evening they would receive the 
public acknowledgement of their six 
weeks' hard work. Expectantly they 
looked toward the one who was 
going to receive an honorary doc-
tor's degree from Andrews Univer-
sity that very evening. 
Anyone who took the trouble to 
visit the administration building just 
below the chapel was able to form 
some small picture of the work done 
by the summer students. In one 
classroom the walls were still covered 
with graphic masterpieces made by 
the students to illustrate some of the 
teachings by R. A. Anderson. Four 
courses had been conducted in the 
library next door, every day from 
8 to t o, and from i i to i z: Homi-
letics by Brother R. A. Anderson, the 
Sanctuary Doctrine-by Dr. W: G. C. 
Murdoch, a course in Calvin's Escha-
tology by A. Vaucher, and Public 
Relations by E. W. Tarr. All these 
men are specialists in their work. 
From to to ii the chapel hours were 
conducted in the church building, 
and this time was usually taken by 
men from the Division: M. Fridlin, 
B. J. Kohler, W. A. Wild, G. Cuper-
tino, B. E. Seton, and P. Steiner; by 
teachers from the Collonges Semi-
nary: J. Zurcher, N. Hugede, and 
R. Dederen; and by visitors like 
Dr. Daniel Walther and W. E. Read, 
the latter giving some very fine lec-
tures in Christiology. 
In the afternoons and evenings, 
when films or color slides were not 
shown or discussions held, one could 
see the library crowded with evan-
gelists pouring over their studies and 
reading the hundreds of pages re-
quired for each course. Only the 
three-day excursion to the Walden-
sian valleys, and the Sabbaths, were 
welcome days of relaxation. As the 
teaching was done in 'French and 
English only, it meant that the 
courses demanded extra efforts from 
many of the participants, whose 
native language was neither of the 
two. On Friday evenings, when the 
students from Austria, Belgium, 
France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, 
Spain, Switzerland and Yugoslavia, 
as well as from the different mission 
fields in Africa, spoke about the 
work in their own countries, we 
began to understand some of the 
numerous language problems and 
the spiritual burden carried by many 
during these six weeks of constant 
listening to translators. 
Now, however, all work was for-
gotten, and the happy knowledge of 
a work well done was clearly visible 
in the faces of the men, as they march-
ed into the chapel followed by the 
professors and official guests, who 
took their places on the flower-
decorated platform. As the organ 
prelude ended, the congregation 
sang "Fairest Lord Jesus," and re-
mained standing as Brother F. La-
vanchy, president of the Franco-
Belgian Union Conference, read from 
Proverbs 4:I—to "Wisdom is the 
principal thing; therefore get wis-
dom: and with all thy getting get 
understanding" (verse 7). After Broth-
er W. Ruf, president of the French 
Swiss Conference, had asked God to 
be present among us, a ladies' choir 
sang 0. Barblan's "Nothing Without 
God" under the leadership of Mrs. 
G. Buser. 
As the summer course had stressed 
evangelism, it seemed only appro-
priate that Elder R. A. Anderson 
should preach the sermon for the 
evening. He is the secretary of the 
Ministerial Association of the General 
Conference, and had just recently 
received an honorary doctor's degree 
from Andrews University in recog-
nition of his many years' work for 
the furtherance of evangelism, and 
the excellent books he has written on 
the subject. His forceful message 
reminded the workers always to seek 
the Fountain of Wisdom, who gave 
the commission: Go out and teach 
all people." 
While the call to holy service still 
lingered with us, Dr. W. G. C. Mur-
doch and Dr. J. Zurcher stepped up to 
the table on which the diplomas were 
arranges in neat rows. As the names 
were called, each participant went up 
to the platform to receive his certifi-
cate from the hand of Dr. Murdoch, 
director of the course and dean of 
the Theological Seminary of Andrews 
University. One could see how each 
student wanted to show his gratitude 
to this man, who had influenced them 
so much during the last six weeks 
by his spiritual and theological 
Adventist teaching. With a fatherly 
expression in his eyes he greeted 
everyone of the recipients. The high 
rate of scholarship was evident, as 
more than half of the students re-
ceived an "excellent" or "very 
 
good." 
Evangelist P. Nouan expressed the 
appreciation of all students, and 
humorously hinted at the required 
reading material in the English 
language, which had caused many 
dismayed exclamations among the 
students. He also stressed that the 
subjects had -been very well chosen, 
and expressed the hope that all the 
participants may be able to use what 
they have learnt to the triumph of 
God's work. A very beautiful bou-
quet of roses was presented to Dr. 
Murdoch by Mrs. Villeneuve as well 
as gifts from the students to all the 
teachers. In a similar way the trans-
lators, R. Dederen and Ch. Rochat, 
were honored for the excellent work 
they had done. The secretaries, who 
had translated and typed the syllabi 
4 
in French and English, were not 
forgotten. 
The festive evening reached its 
climax when the dean of the Theologi-
cal Seminary of Andrews Univer-
sity conferred an honorary doctor's 
degree in theology on A. Vaucher. A 
former principal of Collonges Semi-
nary, and presently professor in 
church history at Andrews University, 
Dr. Daniel Walther, and Dr. J. Zur-
cher, the present principal of Collonges 
Seminary, confirmed in English and 
French the reasons for this honor. 
They stressed Brother A. Vaucher's 
forty years as Bible teacher, his great 
research ability, especially in the field 
of eschatology, which has made 
him one of the best experts in 
the literature of Pater M. de Lacunza 
y Diaz; they praised the lucidity of 
his "History of Salvation", its con-
struction and style, which make it a 
well documented presentation of 
the Advent belief in French; his 
apologetic writings on the Sabbath, 
the Cornmandements of God, the 
Sanctuary, and many others. They 
praised the Bible interpreter, whose 
modesty contrasts with his fruitful 
life. As Dr. Murdoch presented the 
sealed document to him, signed by 
the president of the General Confer-
ence, he said that this is only the 
seventh time that this high honor has 
been bestowed upon any one, and 
never had the choice been more 
undisputed. This did not hinder 
A. Vaucher in referring to this 
honor as "undeserved". Three wom-
en, he said in his response, has 
influenced his life. His grandmother, 
who was the first Adventist woman 
in Europe, his mother and his wife. 
As Mrs. Zurcher presented him 
with a bouquet of flowers, the 
whole congregation rose spontane-
ously to honor the first European to 
receive an honorary doctor's degree 
from Andrews University. 
After the educational secretary of 
the Division had thanked Dr. and 
Mrs. J. Zurcher for the hospitality 
of the school, for the services of the 
personnel and the good food enjoyed 
by all, the men's choir sang Pra-
torius' "The Lamb of God" led by 
Brother A. Buser. 
As the final words of farewell had 
been spoken, the great, most beloved 
hymn by Martin Luther "A Mighty 
Fortress is Our God" was sung by 
the whole congregation. In his bene-
diction, M. Fridlin, president of the 
Southern European Division, rec-
ommended the workers and the 
mission school to God's care and 
asked His blessing upon our Division. 
It was a worthy conclusion to the 
renewed consecration to greater serv-
ice for God, and to Him only the 
greatest honor is due. 
Participants in Seminary Extension School, the Collonges-sous-Saleve 
5 
Equatorial Africa greets You! 
G. Cupertino 
mosquito-nets, water and food pro-
visions, medicines, and the necessary 
things to repair a car. The driver 
does well in knowing his motor, 
because in the jungle there are no 
garages. 
All over the world we find repre-
sentatives of the great Advent 
family. Our church members in the 
homelands work and pray for the 
brothers and sisters in countries less 
civilized than their own; they send 
their children as missionaries; they 
give of their means and take up 
collections to help them. Each Sab-
bath they are told experiences from 
the mission fields across the seas, and 
are thus reminded of their many 
needs. It is therefore natural that a 
visitor, who recently shared the joys 
and sorrows of the missionaries on 
the spot, would wish to impart some 
of his impressions to the church 
members, telling them of the life of 
our workers in these isolated and 
distant parts of the earth. 
When we see these courageous 
men and women at their jobs out 
there, our own so-called problems 
seem insignificant. We forget some-
times that we are lucky to live in 
countries with clean water, where 
the light comes on at the touch of a 
switch. Here life is organized in 
such a way as to satisfy the various 
demands of the individual. The 
doctor lives just a few steps away; 
the temperatures do not vary too 
much, and we are not plagued by 
ants and mosquitos. We can say in 
truth that civilization offers man the 
maximum in comfort. 
Of course we have our difficulties 
and struggles, but we know we have 
friends nearby in whom we can con-
fide and ask counsel. What a pleasure 
it is to go into the attractive shops, 
where we find everything to satisfy 
our material needs. A long tradition 
has accustomed us to an easy life, and it 
is only by a visit to the mission field 
that we can compare the differences 
between the life in a civilized country 
and that in the mission field. 
I write these lines in Nanga-Eboko. 
I have had the pleasure of accom-
panying Brother A. Cosendai, presi-
dent of the Equatorial African Union 
Mission, through our territories in 
this union, and to conduct a series of 
workers' meetings. 
While visiting the Equatorial Afri-
can Union, I could not help thinking 
of the other countries in Africa, 
where I have had the privilege to 
stay and work. Whether in Ethiopia, 
Madagascar, on the islands of the 
Indian Ocean, Angola, North Africa 
or Cameroun, everywhere we find 
people who thirst after a better 
knowledge of these simple but 
marvelous truths of the gospel, 
particularly the return of Christ and 
a balanced Christian life. When we 
see these black or bronzed bodies, 
these sparkling eyes, these artless 
faces lit up by big smiles as they 
listen to the foreign preacher, then 
we understand why missionaries 
leave their well-loved countries, their 
families and their own world to face 
the uncertainty of pioneer life. 
I cannot mention the numerous 
missionaries I saw at work in Africa, 
because I might involuntarily forget 
one. I shall confine myself to mention 
some of the presidents of the fields: 
for instance, Brother P. Girard, who 
has worked long years in the Indian 
Ocean Union Mission, with head-
quarters on Madagascar; Brother 
E. Ferreira of Angola, for whom our 
prayers are especially needed at this 
time because of the present problems 
in his field; Brother H. Pichot and 
his group of workers in North Africa, 
who have refused to give in to exist-
ing difficulties, and have waited in 
silence for the help of the Lord; 
and lastly Brother A. Cosendai, who 
has served for many years in Came-
roun. All these servants of the Lord 
deserve our love and admiration. As I 
have accompanied them from place• to 
place, like I am doing now, I not only 
see the preacher standing in the pulpit, 
but I see workers laboring with their 
different and often thankless tasks. 
Like in the homelands, they often 
have to attend long and difficult com-
mittee meetings. Afterwards they 
must prepare for a tiring journey. 
They must never forget that they 
might have to camp on places lacking 
all comforts, so they must bring their 
camp beds, oil stoves, matches, 
Journeying from Yaounde to visit 
the station in Niamvoudou, where a 
seminary for our evangelists is under 
construction, we were surprised by 
a torrential rain. The track was soft 
as a river of red mud. Suddenly the 
car refused to go on, the wheels 
turned quickly in the mire, and it 
rained incessantly. Three times Broth-
er Cosendai tried in vain to move, 
and only the fourth time did he 
succeed. The night came upon us, 
and we still had fifty kilometers to 
drive, and under what conditions! 
We continued on a- track, which 
seemed to be completely washed 
away, and which wound its way like 
a tunnel in the tropical thicket. At 
every turn we felt the ruts, the pebbles 
and the jolts of the car. But our 
chauffeur kept on with a skill touch-
ing recklessness. That is because 
he thoroughly knows Africa and its 
trails. I stopped trying to penetrate 
the darkness, as the headlights of the 
car only lit up a few yards before us, 
and I understand now what it is to 
"walk in faith". In the back of the 
car sat five of our native believers, 
who also were going to Niamvoudou. 
During the night I heard them singing 
our beautiful hymns in French. In 
spite of the numerous jolts and the 
constant danger of an accident, these 
African believers were not afraid, be-
cause they knew they had a courageous 
driver at the wheel. If we only would 
be more like them, if we could always 
sing during the tumults of life assured 
that our heavenly Pilot will lead us, 
we would be more faithful and reli-
able Christians. 
At last we arrived at our desti-
nation. We were able to stay in the 
house of the family Waber, as they 
were away on furlough. At the dim 
light of a kerosene lamp a very 
simple meal was prepared. The 
bread, bought on the way at a native 
market, because we had forgotten 
to bring it from Yaounde, was burnt 
off over the lamp, "carefulness is the 
mother of wisdom". An hour later, 
6 
Participants in the Workers' Meeting, Nanga-Eboko. 
to the tunes of the nightly symphony 
of the equatorial forest, I tried to go 
to sleep thinking of my loved ones 
so far away. 
The next day we looked at the 
buildings going up. It was a joy to 
watch Brother Cosendai as work 
manager at the site. After we had 
talked with the brethren on the 
station about their different problems, 
we visited the village chief, who was 
surrounded by twelve wives: Poly-
gamy is still in evidence! 
When we reached Sangmelima, 
we found about twenty workers 
from the nearby districts assembled 
for a three-day workers' meeting. 
Here we were again struck by the 
workers' eagerness to learn. Also 
here the missionary, presently Broth-
er H. Walder, must concern him-
self with evangelism, church, school 
and numerous jobs on the mission 
station. His wife is the nurse, mid-
wife, counselor and mother of all 
children, big and small. 
The visit to Sangmelima having 
come to an end, we returned to 
Yaounde where a union meeting 
was held. At this moment I would 
like to say something about the 
printing press in Yaounde. This 
institution, which is financially com-
pletely independent, was started on 
the initiative of Brother K. Schei-
degger. The present director, Brother 
J. Lafrancesca, has given fresh impe-
tus to the place, and where earlier 
there was only one press, there are 
now seven machines working con-
stantly. 
After the union meeting we went 
to Nanga-Eboko, where another 
preachers' convention was arranged. 
On this important station we have a 
seminary where native workers are 
educated. Brother R. Bergstrom was 
our traveling companion on this 
trip. This pioneer of the Advent 
work in North Cameroun has worked 
here for 34 years without losing his 
strength, courage and sense of humor. 
And what a wealth of amusing stories 
he had in store! 
At Nanga-Eboko several families 
are working. They take care of the 
schools, the sick, the church, and 
the education of the workers. The 
seminary in Niamvoudou will open 
in October 1963, and will thus relieve 
the situation in Nanga-Eboko, where 
the seminary is full to overflowing. 
About sixty of our African workers 
expressed their gratitude for the 
instruction they had received at the 
mission. One of them said: "We 
thank you, our European brethren, 
that you have not left us to ourselves. 
We do need you." 
As the ministers' convention was 
finished, we spent one day in the 
interior visiting Simba and Mesa. We 
found here, as everywhere else, the 
same passionate interest, the same 
thirst to hear the eternally new 
gospel story. 
In Batouri Brother A. Kinder and 
his wife do all in their power to 
make the most out of the local possi-
bilities. Here we found a manioc mill, 
a palm oil press, a wood workshop, 
schools, a dispensary, not forgetting 
a small colony of pygmies, who have 
sought refuge near our mission. All 
this makes the station a lively center 
of activities, even though it is not 
an easy job. 
Sabbath morning about 30o per-
sons throng into the chapel. The 
school children, nicely dressed, 
march in order down the streets of 
the village : thus everyone can see 
that it is the Sabbath of the Advent-
ists! The district governor, whom 
we visited, assured us that the Advent-
ists in his district are very much 
appreciated. He said furthermore 
that he had told the president of the 
republic of our gratitude for the good 
understanding which exists between 
the civil authorities and our mission-
aries. 
It was in Yaounde we finished our 
round trip of Cameroun, and it is 
here I am about to finish this article. 
This evening I expect to be in 
Douala, where a public evangelistic 
effort is conducted by Brother E. 
Cupertino in the center of the city, 
and where Brother A. Ekitike is the 
local pastor. 
At the end of this visit to our 
workers and our mission stations in 
Cameroun, I cannot help agreeing 
with the apostle Paul, who at his 
arrival in Rome "thanked God, and 
took courage" (Acts z8: 15). Nothing 
is more pleasant and wonderful to 
an ambassador of the Lord than to 
ascertain the progress of the work 
in the places he has visited. 
7 
Association of Adventist 
Students in Montpellier 
A. Zurcher 
to know that right here is a proper 
mine of educated young people, 
consecrated to the service of God. 
We must therefore surround them 
with love and understanding, doing 
all we can to help them solve their 
problems. 
Don't forget these students in your 
prayers! 
At the French Conference session 
in Vichy last May a resolution was 
adopted on behalf of Adventist 
students presently studying at the 
university of Montpellier. 
Statistics inform us that since the 
end of the war the number of regis-
tered students has increased by 5o %, 
and it is anticipated that in the very 
near future this will grow to Inc. %. 
In that case the number of Seventh-
day Adventist students will also 
increase. 
After having finished their second-
ary studies at Collonges or some 
other school, the young people who 
wish to proceed with their studies 
must register at a university, and 
many dangers and difficulties await 
them there. These institutes of higher 
learning are filled with snares, and it 
is only if he has a faith solidly based 
on the teachings of the Bible that an 
Adventist student can stand vic-
toriously in his daily contact with 
philosophy and the teachings of men. 
There are other difficulties to face 
like courses and examinations on the 
Sabbath, as well as the spiritual 
solitude which lowers the morale of 
any young Christian alone in a group 
of university students. 
To combat these different dangers, 
several Adventist young prople, 
studying at Montpellier, decided 
three years ago to form a cultural 
and friendly association. With the 
consent of the local church and its 
pastor they started to meet in the 
church hall to conduct studies and 
talks on music, paintings, religion, 
etc. 
These young people are not only 
present at the Sabbath services, but 
are pillars and instigators of all 
missionary activities in the church. 
They are Sabbath school leaders and 
teachers, and they are the heart and 
soul of the prayer meetings. To give 
a legal basis to their association a 
committee has been formed, and its 
resolutions have been deposited with 
the local government. 
This year sixteen Seventh-day Ad-
ventist students have registered at the 
university of Montpellier for studies 
in the departments of medicine, the 
arts and sciences. They represent 
several French-speaking countries 
like Tahiti, the Antilles, Mauritius, 
Madagascar, Cameroun, French 
Switzerland and France. They have 
even formed a choir, which has 
helped to unite this group of students 
from so many different environments. 
At the termination of this school 
year not a single examination was set 
on the Sabbath. Last year the final 
examination for the first year of 
medicine took place on a Sabbath, 
and this proved a great embarrass-
ment to six of our young students, 
as none of them appeared on that 
day. Their courage definitely helped 
to influence the dean of the faculty 
of medicine, who has given us the 
assurance that as far as it is possible, 
no examinations will be set on the 
Sabbath in the future. 
This question, which is so impor-
tant for the future of our students, 
should be studied and decided upon 
with the help of God. Most of the 
students are here on state scholar-
ships, and if one has to repeat a year, 
he will not be able to benefit from 
a second scholarship. 
As a result of the vote taken at 
the conference in Vichy, this asso-
ciation will be recognized and sup-
ported officially by our denomi-
nation. Steps will be taken to make 
the association of French-speaking 
Seventh-day Adventist students from 
all over the world known to the 
academic authorities. We will also at 
this occasion make our Sabbath 
principles known to the authorities, 
asking them not to set any exami-
nations on that day. Having this 
fundamental assurance, our students 
will be able to work with less 
apprehension. 
As a denomination we are always 
in need of doctors, teachers and 
evangelists, and it is thus good for us 
* * * 
First Union Youth Congress in Mada-
gascar. The first Union MV Congress 
to be held in Madagascar was con-
ducted from July 31 to August 
1963, on the large campus of the 
Indian Ocean Union Training School 
in Soamanandrariny, near the capital 
of Tananarive. Two hundred and 
thirty-one young people from Tanana-
rive, Tamatave, Majunga, Fianarant-
soa and Fort Dauphin, and even 
from the islands of Reunion and 
Mauritius, came together for the first 
time as such a group of young 
missionary volunteers. They enjoyed 
the excellent programs arranged, and 
competed to have the best and 
deanest bedrooms and in giving the 
most perfect renderings of the infor-
mation received. The high cost of 
travelling hindered hundreds of path-
finders in coming. Half of the thirty-
one participants from Reunion had 
earned their camp money by selling 
Christian literature. G. M. Mathews 
from the General Conference and 
P. Steiner from the Southern Euro-
pean Division were present. Dozens 
of young people decided to be 
baptized, and others accepted the 
call to work in God's cause. Brother 
P. Lanar es, the new union president, 
can reckon with help from the Advent 
youth of Madagascar, Reunion and 
Mauritius in his new and bigger plans 
for evangelism. These three islands 
in the Indian Ocean near the south-
eastern coast of Africa have 2,072 
children and young people in the MV 
organization. 
SOUTHERN EUROPEAN 
QUARTERLY REVIEW 
Organ of the Southern European Divi- 
sion of Seventh-day Adventists published 
every quarter 
Address of Editor (to whom all manu- 
scripts should be sent): Hoheweg 17, 
Berne, Switzerland. 
W.A. Wild �
Editor 
Mrs. B. J. Kohler Editorial Secretary