The Norway Conference by Guy Dail

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 13, 1908

The Norway Conference

By Guy Dail

GUY DAIL

The twenty-second annual session of the Norway Conference was held in Christiania, June 16-21. Seventy-two delegates, and about four hundred fifty members of seventeen of the twenty-two churches in the field, were present. We have had a good meeting. At one time it seemed that there would be somewhat of a party spirit present; but earnest prayer and seeking the mind of the Lord, completely overcame this, and gave a great victory, which we believe will leave a permanent influence upon the people of the Norway Conference.

It was in October, 1898, that Elder J. G. Matteson began proclaiming the third angel's message in four rented rooms in this city. His first lecture was on the second coming of Christ. People began to arrive an hour before the appointed

time, and the interest so increased that many times there were more than a thousand hearers in attendance.

The following June the Christiania church was organized, with thirty-eight members. Seven years later there were three churches in Norway, having a membership of over one hundred sixty. Last year there were sixty-five accessions, but the conference lost over a hundred members by the organization of the Northland mission, and its enrolment is now eight hundred twenty-seven. Seven were baptized at this meeting.

We are much pleased to see the financial growth of the Norway Conference. In 1901 their tithe was 12,335 kroner, with a membership of six hundred thirty-one; in 1907 it was 23,776 kroner. The membership has increased nearly two hundred; and the tithe has nearly doubled, in the last six years, exclusive of the loss referred to above by the organization of the Northland mission. But if we compare 1906 with last year, we also see an increase; for in 1906 the tithe was 21,622 kroner,—2,154 kroner less than for 1907,—while the donations were 3,138, and the book sales 23,758 against 3,970 and 34,976 kroner respectively in 1907. Every one knows that our people in general are not too heavily laden with the riches of this world, and such is especially the case in Norway, where there is great poverty among the masses; so that this increase in the finances is due to the special blessing of God and to the faithfulness of his children.

During the year two of our brethren were called upon to visit leading officers of the government concerning the military question, as one of our members got into some difficulty about this matter. We are glad to say that the representatives of the Norwegian government received the brethren very kindly, and showed us every consideration. As soon as they learned our true attitude to the question, they were free to grant us perfect exemption from Sabbath service in the army; and, in one case, at least, where the brother had conscientious scruples against serving, he was honorably discharged. Indeed, one of these high government ministers took pains to inquire quite minutely into our belief, and to ask if our observance of the Sabbath did not cause us a great deal of inconvenience. We are glad that it was possible to tell him that God looked out for his own, and that, during the hard times which Norway has been experiencing, none of our people had been obliged to call on the state for financial help.

Of the new measures proposed at this meeting we might refer to the manner in which the conference poor fund was started—by a collection amounting to eighty-four kroner, taken on the spot. The local churches are to take up a collection once a month for the poor, and a tithe of this is to be forwarded to the conference treasurer, for the conference poor fund. Other business, similar to that of the Denmark Conference, about the circulation of literature, etc., was considered. One of the most important matters needing attention was the Christiania Publishing House. Owing to the law imposing a custom of one cent and a quarter a pound on all literature imported into Denmark after Jan. 1, 1909, it will be still more difficult for the house to keep up its earnings, as a large proportion of its work is done for Denmark. However, if all show a spirit of co-operation, and if the American brethren will also do what they can to co-operate with Christiania in this matter, so far as Danish-Norwegian publications are concerned, the house can continue to carry on its work very nicely. The report of the Christiania Health Home is good. Last year was their best, and this year bids fair to be even better. The gain for 1907 was 3,398 kroner. The educational question is also a live matter here. If we look at the list of the Norway workers, we find that, while this field has as large a proportion of young people as perhaps any of the Scandinavian fields, yet there is abundant room for new workers to be trained for ministerial responsibilities. The delegates to the Scandinavian Union Conference, to be held in Orebro next week, are asked to do what they can to bring about the establishment of a permanent union school.

Elder C. C. Jensen was re-elected to the presidency, and Elder N. C. Bergerson, lately of Iowa, is the second name on the committee. We are glad that Brother Bergerson receives such a hearty welcome to Norway, and all wish him God's blessing in his labors in this field.

The Sabbath day was one of great blessing here, as in Copenhagen. In the forenoon revival service more than one hundred publicly expressed their desire to get rid of their lukewarmness. The help of the visiting brethren (Elders L. R. Conradi, W. J. Fitzgerald, J. C. Raft, and Dr. N. P. Nelson and Professor Reppe) was appreciated by the people and by the local workers.

One of the most interesting topics considered was the Abyssinian mission. The subject of our foreign missions was presented on Sunday, and the first-day offering amounted to one hundred ninety-three kroner.

Wherever we go, we find that our true-hearted people are anxious to hear of missions, and are willing to give toward their support. It is being constantly shown that giving for the work in other lands does not seem to impoverish the home field; for the financial aspect of the Norway Conference is as encouraging as it has ever been, notwithstanding what the brethren here have done to help establish the work in the other fields.

We go from this place to attend the meeting in Sweden. We believe that the year 1908 will be the best the conference ever had. God grant that it may. Christiania.