Report From Norway by O. A. Johnson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Apr 13, 1905

Report From Norway

By O. A. Johnson

WE are glad that, notwithstanding perplexing obstacles and poverty, we can report progress in every department of the work.

At present we have twenty-three churches on our conference roll. Two of these have been so weakened by removals and deaths that they have no regular meetings. Our present membership, including a few isolated Sabbath-keepers, is about eight hundred. The per cent of increase is generally greatly reduced by emigration, mostly to the United States, also by deaths and a few apostasies.

Until the present time the work in Norway has been carried on mostly in the large cities; for the people in these places seem more willing to listen than do those in smaller cities, villages, and country places.

We find some very interesting cases in various parts of this country. I met a family last summer who began to keep the Sabbath about nine years ago without a knowledge of any one else who believed and kept the Sabbath. A year after this family began its observance, one of our workers came to their home. They have been living alone, a light to others, but they have had to suffer considerable persecution. In Christiania we learned of a family last fall who had been looking for us for weeks; for they had been convinced of the truth by reading the Bible and one number of a paper (our church paper here) which had come to them by some unknown means several years before. In various places, especially in country districts, we hear of individuals who begin to obey the Sabbath command. Thus lights are being kindled in various parts of Norway.

Our present laboring force consists of six ordained ministers, four Bible workers, and twenty-five canvassers. We have many more calls for labor than we can fill. For the last few years we have found it necessary to labor in the larger cities, to strengthen the small churches there. It does not seem very hard to convince the people of the truth, but the cross seems too heavy for many; for it takes faith to begin to keep the Sabbath when they see no possible way to earn a living for themselves and their families. But the way generally opens for all who really begin to obey God.

Last year we bought a tent, and held a series of meetings in Drommen. The

effort was a success, and we shall put another tent into the field next summer. In the land of the midnight sun we have light nearly all night, even in southern Norway, and hence it is pleasant to spend the beautiful long twilight evenings in and about a tent. In years past our tent-meetings in Norway were generally well attended, and were a success.

Norway has not yet recovered from the financial crisis that came to it a few years ago. Financially, the condition has really seemed to grow worse. Poverty, and suffering in consequence thereof, are on the increase. Many, unable to obtain work, loaf on the streets. Drunkenness, immorality, and crime are on the increase.

Our publishing house in Christiania is doing a fair business. Of course we could do more work if we had it, but generally we have enough to do to keep most of our workers employed. We are carrying on our work on a strictly cash basis, and this we find greatly to our advantage in various ways.

In 1900 our conference debt amounted to $1,778. This debt we tried to reduce year by year, and still keep our workers in the field. On Dec. 31, 1904, the debt was paid, and we had on hand nearly seven hundred dollars to start on in 1905. The tithes for 1904 amounted to $4,407.77, or about $5.46 per capita. Our brethren in Norway earn, on an average, from four to five dollars a week, our sisters and children much less. We have two church-school teachers who receive about seventy-five cents a week, besides board and lodging, and I might add that we have four church-schools, with an attendance of about forty.

The canvassing work has been picking up during the past year, and our book sales amounted to $7,306.93.

At present we are carrying on health or sanitarium work in two places. Our little plant in Kristiania has been quite busy most of the time, and closed the year with a net gain of about one hundred and eighty dollars. The other institution is carried on by a brother in Hamar, on the self-supporting plan; it is paying expenses, and at the same time is wielding an influence for good.

Our brethren are generally of good courage, and a more earnest spirit seems to be coming in among them. Success has attended our efforts during the winter, for which we are truly thankful.

In some localities we find religious revivals, as they are called here; but there is often such fanaticism carried on in connection with them that these religious excitements do more harm than good. There is also a spirit in connection with these revivals that deceives souls, and when once under the influence thereof, it is very difficult to get away from it.

The faith of many of our brethren here is being sorely tried at times, but we find that those who trust in God and cling to the truth, come out of the trials with a brighter experience.

Since New-year's twelve have been added to the church here in Christiania, and as many more are keeping the Sabbath who have not yet united with us. In Drommen about fifteen have been added to the church by baptism, and several others are in harmony with us, and are awaiting baptism. In other places we find that some have accepted the truth, but we are unable to report more definitely at this time.

We have truly great reason to thank God for the rich blessings he has bestowed upon us in our work, and we have also good reason to be of good courage in the work.

O. A. JOHNSON.

Christiania, Norway.