The Scandinavian Union Conference consists of the organized conferences of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and the mission fields of Finland, Iceland, and Greenland. The population is about thirteen million. This union conference was perfected at our last meeting, held at Jonkoping, Sweden, June 20-24, 1904. We have 72 organized churches, divided as follows: Sweden, 30; Norway, 22; Denmark, 19; Finland, 1. The total membership is 2,416,—Sweden, 809; Norway, 708; Denmark, 716; Finland, 64; Iceland, 12. Number baptized during the year, 288.
Educational Work
The Scandinavian Union has three missionary schools. That at Nyhyttan, Sweden, has an enrolment of thirty-three. The larger number of these are not of Sabbath-keeping parents, but some have been converted as the result of instruction, and are now engaged in the work of the Lord. This school is located out in the woods, far from any large city, on a farm bought for the purpose, containing about five hundred acres, mostly timber land. At Friedenstrand, Frederikshavn, Denmark, is a school with twenty-four pupils. It will be remembered that a building was erected here for a high school some years ago, with the idea of providing a union school. But after three years of experience, this plan was abandoned, leaving a heavy debt. Sweden and Norway drew back from the enterprise, and then it was that our Danish brethren found that it takes more than a building to make a school. When the plan was laid to redeem our schools from debt by the sale of "Christ's Object Lessons," we hoped that it might bring relief to Friedenstrand. We were disappointed, however. Then the Skodsborg Sanatorium began using the building for sanitarium purposes, tiding over the situation for a time. Recently, after careful consideration, the Danish Conference purchased the building, and in January, 1905, the General Conference Association deeded the property over. That conference is now carrying on school and sanitarium work there.
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF SKODSBORG SANATORIUM
The conference has paid all the indebtedness, except about four thousand dollars remaining on a first mortgage. We rejoice at this, and new courage has been stimulated throughout the union. We have learned the lesson that the tyrant, King Debt, has wrought great evil to the message, and we are now proceeding strictly on the basis of paying cash as we go. We are having four thousand copies of "Christ's Object Lessons" printed for sale in behalf of our educational work. Our hope centers in the training of workers, so much needed in the field. These steps bring new energy and life to our souls. We pray that this spirit may possess hearts in every department of our work in all the world.
In Bergen, Norway, we have a mission school with twenty-four pupils. A school was also held in Christiania during the past winter. From the three last mentioned schools, sixty-four workers have gone out in the canvassing and other departments of the work.
Medical Work
Last, but not least in our institutional work, we call your attention to the Skodsborg Sanatorium, near Copenhagen, Denmark, which is reaching out its arms of influence and help throughout northern Europe. I need not speak at length of the great and good work this institution is doing, or of the earnest spirit prevailing in it. Thousands of sufferers have been relieved, and bear witness of God's love to suffering mankind. The institution has had the patronage of many of the higher classes, as bishops and ministers of the state church, and even members of the royal family have patronized it. Our beloved and highly respected King Christian IX, with his family, visited the institution in 1903, and manifested great interest in its work.
We have a large force of young people in training in this institution every year. The number of helpers averages from fifty to seventy-five in Skodsborg, and with those at Friedenstrand, about one hundred young people are engaged in this branch of the work.
I would add here that the same spirit of winning the victory over debt that has taken possession of the conference, has taken hold of the sanitarium work, and before I left the country, steps were taken to put the sanitarium on a cash basis, for we realize that in this there is victory.
We would respectfully ask the General Conference to remember the pledge given for the Skodsborg Sanatorium work at the time when the delegation of our beloved union conference brethren visited the European field three years ago. It was agreed that to supply the needs we should ask the believers in America to give two dollars for each dollar that Denmark raised. The same year, Denmark gathered in nearly two thousand dollars, which means that between three thousand dollars and four thousand dollars is needed from this side. If we could get this, it would enable us to relieve our present embarrassed situation. For the benefit of the cause, as well as for keeping good the assurances of the General Conference, we beg that steps be taken before this assembly is over, to provide some means of raising this amount. We shall not cease to work for freedom from debt in our union conference until we are out of debt. We believe the Lord is tarrying until he has redeemed the last mortgage of the world, through his chosen people. Surely the outpouring of the latter rain awaits this deliverance.
It is well known to the majority of you that Scandinavia is one of the oldest missions. Much seed has been sown, but we have not seen as much fruit as we desire, but we cling to the promise that “the last shall be first.”
We have treatment rooms in the old city of Rander, the influence of which is reaching the higher classes, as well as helping many of the poor and afflicted.
In the city of Orebro, Sweden, we have a health home, under the management of Brother Kahlstrom, which has been the means of quenching some of the sparks of persecution. Many will remember that it was at Orebro where the children preached the first angel's message. It was here also that Brother Rosquist was imprisoned for proclaiming the third angel's message.
About June 15 treatment rooms will be opened at Nyhyttan, in connection with the industrial school. We have also treatment rooms in the old city of Gotteborg, Sweden. Norway has treatment rooms at two places. One is located in the old building belonging to the publishing house. So we are not only helping the people, but placing two hundred kroners rent in the hands of the publishing association each year. The other is located at Hammer, and is self-supporting. Many interesting cures have taken place there during the last three or four years. For the Lord's blessing in this work we feel grateful.12
Publishing Work
We would not neglect to mention the successful work done by our health journal, Sundhedsbladet. Through energetic efforts, the list has been raised from three thousand to ten thousand.
Our publishing house at Christiania, Norway, is turning out a large amount of literature on the last message, and, under the management of our faithful brethren, is prospering as well as could be expected under the circumstances.
It is a well-known fact that literature in any language can be best prepared in the motherland. Therefore, we would earnestly request that some plans be laid during this conference by which our brethren in America may co-operate with us in preparing literature for the Scandinavian people. Our hearts were greatly stirred as we passed among nearly four thousand immigrants in Castle Gardens, who were eagerly receiving reading-matter from the hands of a noble lady missionary. I am sure that our Redeemer wants us to share in this work without delay. We ought to have a missionary there with literature for the people of every nation who come to America.
CATHEDRAL, BORGA, FINLAND
Instead of criticizing, against which the spirit of prophecy warned us years ago in Scandinavia, we have joined together in seeking God, and he has blessed us. We are anxious to place ourselves where he can fulfil his good pleasure through us. We see a rift in the dark cloud which has hung over Scandinavia for years, and streams of blessing are being poured out. Some of these blessings have come to us in the form of money. I could talk for hours about some of the experiences we have had in practising economy. My brethren, our Father is rich; and as soon as we are prepared to use the means in the fear and wisdom of God, the money is ready for us.
There is a great change in the financial condition in Scandinavia for the better. Our brethren are looking toward the foreign fields, as Finland and Iceland. We are also planning to open a mission in Greenland. Steps have been taken to print tracts for the Lapps in the northern part of Finland and in northern Norway. We are also planning to open a ship mission in Oresund, as soon as we can. Vessels pass through this port to every part of the world.
Before leaving Scandinavia, I had the privilege of visiting most of the churches in Norway and Denmark. They are all of good courage. I am sure their prayers are ascending for the blessing of God upon this gathering. We are thankful to God's people in America for their great sacrifices in sending the light of present truth to us. We will do our part to pass it on to our neighboring countries.
