The Swedish Meeting by Guy Dail

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 20, 1908

The Swedish Meeting

By Guy Dail

GUY DAIL

NINETEEN of the thirty-two churches were represented by seventy-five delegates at the twenty-seventh annual session of the Swedish Conference, which was held in Orebro, June 23-28. The conference was held in the workingmen's hall, and lectures for the public were also carried on in the tent not far distant. As many as two hundred fifty outsiders were at the lectures. About that many of our own people were also present, including the brethren who came from Norway and Denmark and Finland to attend the union conference, which was conducted at the same time.

Important actions were taken concerning the attention to be paid to the conversion of the children and youth, and their training in the Sabbath-school, and in active missionary work for the Master. One of the leading questions discussed was the education of church elders. In a field where there are 4,750,000 people, and so few laborers, it is imperative that the churches do not depend on the minister for their support; but that they be cared for by intelligent elders, who are really capable of leading the flock. It was decided that the conference committee should see that special attention be given to this important work the coming year. The circulation of the Swedish Tidens Tecken was also considered in detail, and, best of all, about one thousand more papers were ordered at the meeting. The vital importance of faithfulness in tithes and offerings was impressed upon the delegates, and it was voted that no one be elected to any church office who does not pay his tithe.

There was no disunion in the business of the meeting. Elder S. F. Svensson was again unanimously chosen president of the conference. He is assisted by four ministers, one licentiate, and three Bible workers. This field, also, as well as the other conferences in Scandinavia, needs an influx of young men to be developed into the ministry. No conference can afford to come to a standstill in this matter; for if it neglects the training of younger workers, it will begin to go backward. Of the students who attended the school at Nyhyttan the past winter, the larger majority are in the work in some capacity.

As our two missionaries who are preparing to enter Abyssinia, and located at Asmara, Eritrea, are from Sweden, it is but natural that the brethren of this conference should feel great interest in the work there. Indeed, this was shown by the fact that three hundred fifty-eight kroner were given toward missions as the first-day offering.

In Sweden, too, our people have been granted remarkable favors, so far as the military service is concerned. Although the higher authorities in one instance were inclined to be somewhat severe, yet the lower officer in the army arranged it nicely for our brother, as he permitted him to come into the office on Sabbath, bring his Bible, and study the whole time he was “on duty.” This officer said he did not believe in a soldier's being deprived of his right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

It may be interesting to remember that it was in Sweden where little children were called out by God to proclaim the first angel's message, when older persons were forbidden to preach it. Indeed, right here in Orebro we pass by the castle in which defenders of the faith have been imprisoned during the advent movement of 1840-44.

Financially, Sweden is picking up, so far as offerings are concerned; for, in 1906 the offerings were $885, while for 1907 they were $1,068. On the other hand, as there was quite a little extra tithe in 1906, we find that the tithe for 1907 is not quite so high; in 1906 it was $5,253, while last year it was $4,988. The book sales, too, for last year were only $19,382, against $20,370 for 1906. Some of the best canvassers were at the school last year, and then the “bad times” have had their effect.

There was a small increase in Sweden's membership during 1907. At the beginning of the year it was eight hundred forty-five; after forty-five had been baptized, and twenty-seven received by vote for the twelve months ending Dec. 31, 1907, the membership was eight hundred fifty-eight.

Elder Svensson and his fellow laborers are of good cheer. The refreshing on Sabbath forenoon, when there was a general move among all the people to seek God, indicated that the Spirit of the Lord was present. A number were baptized at the meeting. God grant still richer blessings to his people in this promising field.

Orebro, Sweden.