Danish-Norwegian Memorial by L. JOHNSON; C. A. THORP; P. E. BERTHELSEN; M. L. ANDREASEN; L. H. CHRISTIAN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Mar 7, 1907

Danish-Norwegian Memorial

By L. JOHNSON; C. A. THORP; P. E. BERTHELSEN; M. L. ANDREASEN; L. H. CHRISTIAN

To our American Brethren, Greeting:—

We, the Danish-Norwegian mission workers assembled in missionary institute at Minneapolis, Minn., Jan. 3-13, 1907, desire to present to you some statements and facts regarding the work among the people of our own nationalities in America.

We desire first of all to express our sincere appreciation of the deep interest taken by our American brethren in the work for our own people. It has been with real pleasure that we have noted the great willingness shown to assist and encourage us in our work. We greatly desire that there should ever be the fullest mutual confidence and co-operation between us and our American brethren. We desire no separate conference organization, as we think our present connection with the State conference and the general work to be in harmony with the light given through the spirit of prophecy. We are in harmony with the plan of having a general superintendent of our work and a corresponding secretary, as we feel assured that this tends to greatly advance and unify the work.

God's remnant people have a great work to do,—world-wide in its scope,—and we can not afford to let national feelings or barriers cause any separation or disharmony in our ranks. God's people must stand together. His work is one.

We believe, however,—as we feel assured you do also,—that God has given to every man his work, and that we Danes' and Norwegians have a special work to do for our own people. We believe that God holds us responsible for bringing to them the light of the third angel's message, and it is our earnest desire to be faithful in this work.

There are in this country seventeen ordained Danish-Norwegian ministers, eight licentiates, and twelve other workers. We have about thirty-three churches and 1,744 members. This number does not, of course, include the hundreds of American brethren of Scandinavian parentage. Our laborers are scattered over twelve conferences, which makes the work quite difficult. We are grateful to these conferences for permitting and encouraging their Scandinavian laborers to attend this missionary convention. May it redound to God's glory.

According to the latest statistics obtainable there are 1,700,000 Danes and Norwegians in the United States. The greater number of these prefer the Danish-Norwegian language, and more than half of them can never be reached in any other tongue. They are an intelligent and industrious people, and experience has proved that they are not only willing to accept the truth of the third angel's message, but that they become loyal supporters of the truth we all love. We think it is generally acknowledged that the Scandinavian people are faithful and liberal in paying their tithes and offerings, and no special call ever fails of meeting a hearty response among this people.

We have no separate schools, sanitariums, or other institutions to finance. With the permission of the State conferences, we have gathered some money for an educational and literature fund. The sum needed was not large, and the people have been willing to help. In the raising of this money we have counseled with the different State conferences, as we desire each State to know how much money is given by its members.

We do not write this memorial to ask for any special favors. We feel that our churches are an integral part of the conference where they belong, and that our needs will be supplied. We desire to assure you of our faith in the message, and of our desire to co-operate in loyal unity with our American brethren in the great work committed to us as a people—the proclamation of the third angel's message to the world in this generation.

On behalf of the Danish-Norwegian mission workers of America, (Signed) L. JOHNSON, C. A. THORP, P. E. BERTHELSEN, M. L. ANDREASEN, L. H. CHRISTIAN,

Danish-Norwegian Literature Com.