p. 16 | My Recent Tour in Europe by Ole Andres Olsen

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 7, 1909

My Recent Tour in Europe

By Ole Andres Olsen

At the time of our recent General Conference it was arranged for me to accompany Elder L. R. Conradi to some of the meetings in Europe. We accordingly attended the Sweden conference, at Upsala, June 25-27; the Norway conference, at Christiania, June 29 to July 4; the Denmark conference, at Randers, July 7-11; the Swiss-German conference and camp-meeting, at Uster, Switzerland; and the German Union conference, at Friedensau. These were all meetings of much interest and encouragement. We also spent two days at Skodsborg, Denmark, and one day at Gland, Switzerland.

The different meetings having been so fully reported by Elder Conradi, I shall refer to only a few features of special interest to myself. Some years ago I was very familiar with the work in all the conferences visited, and it was with feelings of joy and satisfaction that I now could witness the growth and advancement made in every department of the various conferences. It is always a source of deep gratitude to note the rapid advancement of the message throughout the world, for the completion of this work is what we are all eagerly awaiting.

The visit to Gland, Switzerland, was very interesting. This is where the sanitarium and school are located. And as far as location is concerned, one could hardly think of a place so richly endowed with what is beautiful and lovely in nature. The lofty, snow-capped Alps in the distance, the sparkling waters of the lake almost immediately in front of the buildings, the grand old trees on the grounds, and the deep woods as a background, all unite to form an ideal place for a sanitarium and a school. Best of all, the rich blessing of the Lord is there, and the work is prosperous.

But of still greater interest to me was the situation in Scandinavia, especially in Norway. Many of our people will call to mind the very trying experiences that our work in Scandinavia passed through some ten years ago, caused by the financial crisis that struck Norway so heavily. It might have appeared to the observer at the time as if the cause could never recover and regain its former position. But here we can thank the Lord for the system of organization that he has given us, and the hearty sympathy that runs through all branches of the work. By the prompt aid of the General Conference the financial difficulty was met, the cause saved from disaster, and to-day we all have reason to rejoice in the blessings attending the work.

It was a source of much rejoicing at the recent conference in Norway to see how the work has risen and developed, so that there never was a time when the outlook for that field was so promising as at the present. The conference treasury presented a very favorable showing. The publishing and book work had a surplus of about four thousand dollars, and the treatment-rooms a gain for the last eighteen months of over eighteen hundred dollars. Indeed, every department of the work has prospered. Having been in Norway when the outlook was the darkest, I was thankful indeed now to see the changed conditions and the bright prospects. May God continue these blessings, and this he will as surely as the brethren and laborers faithfully follow his counsel.

The three Scandinavian conferences are now paying a second tithe to the union conference, and are also furnishing laborers for mission fields, thus contributing both funds and men to advance the work in regions beyond. This is as the Lord would have it.

The German Union Conference meeting was also a season of much interest, giving very definite evidence of the rapid growth throughout Europe. The fuller reports will be of special interest to the readers of the REVIEW.

August 2 I returned to England, and immediately made preparations for my return to the States, to take up the work assigned me by the General Conference. August 24 Mrs. Olsen and myself arrived at Washington, D. C., where we shall make our home for a time.

The North American Foreign Department

Our people generally are acquainted with the fact that such a department has been created, having for its object the extension of a knowledge of present truth to the people of foreign birth and language throughout this entire country. To accomplish this object, we shall need the hearty co-operation, not only of the different nationalities that have already accepted the truth, but of all our people in this country. I shall be pleased to hear from any one who may have matters of interest relative to this branch of the work. All such communications may be addressed to me at Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. O. A. OLSEN.