Among the Laplanders by J. C. Raft

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C.

FromReview and Herald, Harvest Ingathering Number

Among the Laplanders

By J. C. Raft

THE Lapps belong to the Mongolian race. They inhabit the northern part of the Scandinavian peninsula, called Lapland. They number some thirty thousand altogether, about two thousand being in Russian territory, in the government of Archangel.

These people are short of stature. They are of brownish complexion, with high cheek bones, dark eyes, and black and tangled hair. Their language is related to that of the Finns.

We have recently opened a mission among these people. Brother Jens J. Hokland, a young Norwegian, has been stationed in the Lapp town of Karasjok, in Finnmarken, situated sixty-nine degrees north latitude. In a recent letter our brother says: “Now I am living among them [the Lapps]. Hence I have the very best opportunity to learn their difficult language, and I believe that by the help of God I shall succeed. Knowing the interest of our brethren and sisters in this people, and especially God’s interest in them, I am very well satisfied to be here, and hope in time to learn that which I shall need in the future. From now on I shall feel most at home among these people, whom I have learned to pity. I can see plainly that it is time this tribe should hear the message of Christ’s coming.”

MISSIONARY HOGLAND, AMONG THE LAPLANDERS

As an evidence of the Lord’s care for his servants, we relate the following incident: Last summer Brother Hokland was on a colporteur tour in Northland. One day he had to pass over a mountain which was very difficult to cross. In order to be more secure our young brother removed his shoes and stockings, to go barefooted. Fearing, he was reminded to pray. There, clinging to the rocks, he asked God to keep him. Then, trusting in God, he went on his way and got over safely.

BORNEO MISSION BUILDING.
WITH THE MANCHURIAN LANGUAGE TEACHER. — BORNEO MISSION BUILDING. WITH THE MANCHURIAN LANGUAGE TEACHER.

Below, on the other side of the mountain, a man and his wife were watching the young man make his way down; and the first question this man asked Brother Hokland was, “What has become of your companion?” When our brother told them that he had been all alone on the way, they were greatly surprised, and the man said, “Is that so? It really seemed to me that there were two of you when you came crossing the mountain.”

Brother Hokland adds that he was reminded of the word of the Lord in Ps. 34:7: “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” J. C. RAFT.

Copenhagen.