The Scandinavian Union Committee Meeting by L. R. CONRADI

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 9, 1907

The Scandinavian Union Committee Meeting

By L. R. CONRADI

L. R. CONRADI

The Scandinavian Union Committee held its annual meeting in connection with the Scandinavian Philanthropic Society at Skodsborg, February 22-25. Besides the leading brethren in Denmark, we were glad to have with us Brother E. Lind, of Sweden; and Elder P. A. Hansen, president of the Scandinavian Union Conference.

As we look over the annual report showing the growth of this field, we surely have every reason to be thankful for the good news we hear concerning it. For years we had not seen any material growth in our most northern field in Europe, that is, in Iceland; but we are glad to report a change this year. Seventeen were baptized in that country during 1906, increasing its membership to twenty-five. Besides these, there are several others who are keeping the Sabbath. Finland also reports twenty-seven additions, and for the first time its membership is over one hundred—103. Norway reports 102 additions, raising its membership to 917; and Sweden had seventy-two additions, making its membership 845; while Denmark had fifty-two added, giving it a membership of 750. The total additions for the Scandinavian Union for 1906 were 270, and the membership of the union, as such, increased from 2,493 to 2,640; and their tithe sprung from $17,037 in 1905 to $20,151 in 1906. Their First-day offerings arose from $227 to $677, in view of their being set apart to the proposed Abyssinian Mission.

There are now in the Scandinavian Union seventeen ordained ministers, twenty-three other gospel workers, and eighty-nine canvassers. The book sales for 1906 amounted to over $44,200.

Last year it was decided to organize the most northern countries in Norway and Sweden into the Northlands Mission field, beginning with Jan. 1, 1907, so that we now have another field started in the Scandinavian Union Conference.

At the time of our union committee session in Skodsborg, we also further considered the opening of the work in Abyssinia, and the cases of several young men were considered as prospective workers in that field. We hope that by the autumn of the present year, definite steps may be taken to open up that large country to the third angel's message. Thus will be added to the mission fields of Iceland and Finland two more missions under the direction of the Scandinavian Union—the Northlands Mission and the Abyssinian Mission. We were very glad that not only was it possible to set aside six hundred and forty dollars for the Abyssinian work from the First-day offerings, but that besides this there was a surplus in the union treasury from tithe that may be devoted to that work.

The union has taken another important step the past year, in opening up a union school, conducted by Elder O. A. Johnson, at Nyhyttan. Judging from the favorable reports we receive, we believe this will undoubtedly lead to an arrangement for a permanent school in this growing union.

As to the institutional work throughout the union, we are glad that there have been general omens of prosperity. The Christiania House has been able to hold its own, and the Swedish and Danish depositories have shown a gain. The Frydenstrand Sanitarium had a slight gain, while the Skodsborg Sanitarium shows a gain of about forty-five hundred dollars.

Considerable time during our session was given to the consideration of the Scandinavian Philanthropic Society, which holds the Skodsborg property; and the by-laws were so changed as to make Skodsborg virtually a Scandinavian Union institution. The committee carefully considered the interests connected with this institution, and we are

thankful to say that the much-needed building at Skodsborg is nearing completion, and it will be open this spring. As there was danger of an objectionable building being erected on a lot too near our Skodsborg premises, it was decided to buy the land that might be used for such a purpose, for it was offered very reasonably to us, and, under the circumstances, we felt free to secure it. This plot of ground will give us ample room to enlarge the sanitarium still further, so that its influence and patronage may be materially increased. The sessions of the committee were conducted in the kindest and most brotherly spirit, and we feel sure that the prospects of the Skodsborg Sanitarium were never brighter than now.

We feel much encouraged at the hopeful outlook for the Scandinavian Union work. The Scandinavian brethren, looking forward with pleasant anticipation to the visit of the delegates from the States, decided to hold their annual session of the Danish and Scandinavian Union Conferences at Aalborg, Denmark, April 24-30.