p. 586 | The Missionary by William C. White

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 23, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 37.

The Missionary.

By William C. White

Progress of the Work in Scandinavia.

At the close of the annual Conference in Sweden, Elders Matteson, and O. A. Olsen went to Denmark, and attended the annual Conference, which was held this year in Jerslev, a small town in the northern part of Jutland. This meeting, which continued five days, was well attended. At the business meetings, there were eight churches represented by fourteen delegates. In these eight churches there is a membership of 177 persons, and besides these there are 116 Sabbath-keepers in Denmark. Besides Elder K. Brorsen, who labors continuously, there are four other preachers who labor for the Conference part of the year, but spend the summer months working their farms, from which they receive most of their support. About $450 had been paid into the Conference treasury during the year, which is quite a sum for the handful of poor brethren, and which enabled them to pay all their laborers according to their expectations.

The brethren of the Danish Conference were pleased with the steps that had been taken at Orebro, Sweden, in the organization of a Scandinavian Tract and Missionary Society, and Sabbath-school Association, and voted to join the organization. Elder O. A. Olsen was chosen president of the Conference for the coming year, with Elder J. G. Matteson, and O. C. Hansen as executive committee. Five persons were baptized at this meeting.

At the close of the Conference in Sweden, we went to Christiania, where we found Brother and Sister Clausen and Brother Lorentz, who had lately come from America to assist in the Scandinavian publishing work. July 6, Elders Matteson and Olsen returned from Denmark, and several days were spent in consultation about the translation and publishing of our leading denominational books in the Danish and Swedish languages, and in planning for the future management of the publishing work. Until about two years ago Elder Matteson had had the entire care of the publishing work in Scandinavia, which, as it increased, absorbed nearly all of his time. When Elder Oyen came, he took charge of the publishing work, thus enabling Elder Matteson to preach the message in other places. A good-sized active church in the capital city of Sweden, and another in the capital of Denmark, show the wisdom of this move. But since Elder O. A. Olsen has also been sent to labor in Scandinavia, Elder Oyen is much needed in America. He will return to the next General Conference. And it is hoped that our brethren lately come from America will take hold of the publishing work in such a way as to still leave Elder Matteson free to labor in the principal cities of Scandinavia.

The new mission printing-office and meeting-house which was in progress of erection when we were in Christiania last October has been completed. It is a fine-looking brick building 46x69 feet in size, with two stories and basement. The upper story is used as a meeting room. It is a fine room 22 feet high, well lighted and ventilated, and neatly furnished. With the gallery it will seat nearly 500 persons. The first floor and basement of the building are devoted to the publishing work. On the first floor we find the office, sales-room, composing-room and bindery. In the basement are located the press-room, stereotype foundery, and the engine and boiler room. The whole building is heated by steam. The press-room is furnished with two cylinder presses, and a peerless job press. At present there are over twenty persons employed. The cost of the building alone is about $10,000. The cost of the building, fixtures, heating apparatus, engine, and machinery is something more than $18,000. There is a great work before this office. The Scandinavians are a religious people and religious books find a ready sale among them. If our books are printed in pleasing form and can still be offered at moderate prices, they will meet a ready sale. So successful have been the agents who have been selling the new illustrated edition of the “Life of Christ” in both Danish and Swedish, that our brethren telegraphed to Battle Creek to have a set of plates of each of these books immediately made and shipped to Christiania so that they could be printed there and the agents could be furnished with any quantity without delay.

While we were in Christiania it was decided that the new 40x60 foot tent which had just arrived from England should be pitched in Moss, and that some of the laborers from each of the three Scandinavian countries should join Brethren O. A. and E. G. Olsen in the work at this place. In these European countries where we have no colleges and no city missions where young men may receive a special training for the work, it is necessary that those of less experience should be so associated with those who have a broad experience that they may be thoroughly taught how to labor in connection with these tent meetings. A regular course of daily instruction will be carried on, each one of the younger laborers studying part of the day, and engaging part of the day in missionary work.

From Christiania we went to Copenhagen, where a nine days’ meeting had been appointed for the benefit of the Copenhagen church, and for the instruction of some who were preparing to engage in the colporteur work. This church which numbered only about sixteen members last October has been enlarged by the addition of twenty, among whom are those having talents which may be made useful in the work. Here, as at Orebro, mother spoke to the people about half an hour every morning, giving practical instruction as to the Christian’s duty and privileges. These talks were usually followed by a social meeting. Elders Matteson, Olsen, and Oyen, occupied the remainder of the day with Bible-readings, and instruction to colporters, and in the evening there were given sermons for the benefit of those who had not accepted the truth. The interest to hear was good, and Elder Matteson remained at the urgent request of the people to continue the meetings. The brethren of Copenhagen, seconded by some of the leading brethren from other parts of Denmark, passed a resolution requesting Elder E. G. Olsen to move his family to Copenhagen, and make Denmark his field of labor.

Of the tent meeting in Moss, Elder O. A. Olsen writes: “We pitched our tent at Moss on the tenth of August and commenced meetings the evening of the twelfth. It rained both days which made it very unpleasant. Our tent was quite a curiosity. We could not make it very attractive in the rain, but we were happily surprised to see the tent quite well filled the first evening. It was estimated that some over four hundred were present. My brother Edward spoke, and the congregation listened with the closest attention. After the meeting was closed many came up to us, and bade us welcome, and desired that the blessing of God might follow our labors.

“On Sunday at 10 A. M. we had a Bible-reading. We thought we would not appoint preaching at that hour as that was the time for preaching at the other churches. About sixty persons attended the Bible-reading; many of them had brought their Bibles, and all were free to take part. They seemed to enjoy it much. At 2 P. M. I spoke to a congregation of two hundred on the subject of prophecy. The best of attention was given.

“Our tent company is composed of Brethren Johnson and Anderson from Sweden; Brother Jacobson from Christiania; Sister Malstrom from Copenhagen; two sisters from Christiania; my brother with his family, and myself. We have rooms almost opposite our tent, so we can sit in the window and see all about the tent. I expect our company will be larger after awhile.”

Letters from Christiania state that the work on “Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation” in Danish, is progressing finely. More than half of the book is set, and stereotype matrices sent to Battle Creek. It is hoped that the American edition will be completed before the next General Conference. W. C. WHITE.