A Call from the Northland by P. A. Hansen

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

A Call from the Northland

By P. A. Hansen

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.”

The Word says that the angel flies in the midst of heaven. Flying represents speed. Time is getting short, and the dragon is getting more and more angry; but thanks be to our Lord, who has all this in his hands, for he sends additional help. See Rev. 18:1. Another angel with renewed strength joins the force, and the earth is lighted by his glory. We rejoice when we see the Comforter coming into our hearts and filling them with love and peace. John 14:26.

We have just closed the week of prayer in the Scandinavian Union. Never, in all my experience with God’s people, had I witnessed such a powerful demonstration of the sweet presence of the Holy Spirit, which has convinced of sin, of righteousness, and even of judgment; and so I have seen that as this additional angel, spoken of in Rev. 18:1, joins its force with the third angel’s proclamation, it puts an end to sin in our hearts, making it possible for the Comforter to abide within us.

In order that the message may go so rapidly, it is necessary that the servants of God be quickened by his Spirit. This glorious proclamation is at present printed and sent out in more than twenty-five different languages here in Europe. Compare this with ten years ago, and even less, and then let us thank our Lord for the speedy way in which it swings over land and sea. It is pressing into every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. Never since 1844 has there been such a move. Think of the grand openings in nearly every land; and even in the darkest countries we hear the Macedonian cry. It goes in spite of all our shortcomings and failures, and when we hear these calls, we are compelled to say, in sadness, that our arms are too small, and we are not prepared. O that God may lay a burden on our people, as in the first angel’s message, to leave plow, shop, and home, and to join the ranks! There is an urgent call to-day to every Seventh-day Adventist, the youth and the aged, and that call is, “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.”

God calls scores of young people into the lines of preparation. We have started our first union school, which is well filled with a class of intelligent students; and it proves to be the best mission school I think I have ever visited. An excellent spirit prevails throughout. Students and teachers seem to be bound in chains of love. We feel anxious to press forward the educational work in Scandinavia, for we know that it is the crowning work of the message. O for more of God’s knowledge among God’s waiting people! Hosea 4:6.

P. A. HANSEN.

Christiania, Norway.