The Danish Conference by George B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 29, 1911

The Danish Conference

By George B. Thompson

AFTER attending the meeting in Bergen, Norway, and Stockholm, Sweden, I came to Denmark to spend the few days which intervened before the conference, with the churches at Skodsborg and Copenhagen. It was a great pleasure to meet so many of our Danish brethren and sisters at these places.

I found the sanitarium at Skodsborg well filled with patients. There are more than usual for this season of the year. The prospect is that the management will have difficulty in finding room to accommodate all who desire to come during the summer. The location of the institution is, in many respects, an ideal one, and being surrounded with a large population, there seems to be no reason why it will not continue to be filled the year round with those in need of medical

aid. It is planned to begin at once the erection of quite a large addition, which will give better dining-room facilities and additional room for patients. This building seems to be much needed, and will add greatly to the comfort of the patients. Although the institution is carrying considerable indebtedness, the management is hopeful of being able to materially decrease this each year through the increased patronage.

An excellent Christian spirit seems to pervade the sanitarium family. All are endeavoring to make the institution a real factor in the work of the message. During our visit here the graduating exercises of the nurses' class were held. Nine consecrated young people received diplomas, and expect to labor in the message wherever the providence of God may direct.

Sabbath, June 4, I met with the church in Copenhagen. I was glad to see so large a congregation present. As a result of the labor put forth the past year, quite a number have been added to the church, and others are interested. Copenhagen is a large city of about half a million, and is an excellent field for labor.

From here I went to Aarhus to attend the Danish conference, which was held June 7-11. Elders L. R. Conradi, J. C. Raft, E. R. Palmer and wife, and the writer attended this meeting, sharing with the local laborers in its burdens and blessings. On account of his visit to Russia, Elder A. G. Daniells was not able to attend the meeting. This was a source of disappointment to the brethren and sisters here, who were anxious to have him meet with them once more.

This meeting was held in a good hall in the city, and was quite well attended, about four hundred being present the last Sabbath. The conference was marked with a spirit of unity and much of the blessing of God. Brother C. C. Jensen was re-elected president. The reports rendered were of an encouraging character, and indicated growth during the year. The membership at the close of 1910 was 1,039. During the year eighty-two were baptized, and eighteen others were received by vote. The tithe amounted to $10,393.87, an increase of $1,195.79 over the previous year. The Sabbath-school offerings amounted to $714.49, an increase of $79.98 over 1909. There was also an encouraging increase in the offerings to missions for the year. The outlook for the sale of our books and other literature for the year is good.

I greatly enjoyed attending these meetings in the Scandinavian Union, and becoming more intelligent regarding our work in this part of the field. The memory of the kindness and hospitality received will ever remain with us. Though we may not understand all languages in this world, there is one language of the heart which is common to this message, and which all who love God's truth for this time understand.

The message is moving on in this field as in other lands, and the outlook for the future is good.

At the close of the meeting there was baptism, and quite a number followed their Lord in this sacred rite. Our prayer is that renewed power and blessing will attend the work in this conference, and as a result of the Spirit's ministration many may be added to the church.

G. B. Thompson.