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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 3, 1903

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 80, No. 48.

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Finland

By John Hoffman

Abo.— Since my last report we have held our yearly meeting in Helsingfors. About forty brethren and sisters were present. We had a good meeting. Elder Conradi was with us two days and a half, en route to St. Petersburg, Russia.
We are working on our Finnish song books, and have translated more than two hundred of the songs in the Swedish “Hymns and Tunes.” We found some already translated, so altogether we have about two hundred and fifty songs for this new book, which is now in the hands of the binders. As we do not have many members, the sale will not be large at first, therefore we have felt that we ought to do something to meet the expense. A crippled sister, who has lived with us since we took her out of the poorhouse, did a little fancy work, for which she received four marks. This she gave for the new song book. I mentioned this at the meeting, and in a few minutesabout three hundred marks was given, mostly in cash. This will help us in getting out our book, without much expense to the depository.
Elder Anderson was left in Helsingfors to follow up the interest which was created by the general meeting. A sister who was formerly a Salvation Army captain, but has kept the Sabbath for six or seven years, has now entered the Bible work, and is assisting in Helsingfors.
Here in Abo we had an excellent meeting last week, with a good attendance. I had two hundred handbills printed, and carried them myself to the homes of the people. Handbills are very expensive here, as there are not many job printers, and the large plants do not care for such work. The collections are small, and do not cover more than the fuel and light, not to speak of the hall rent. So we can not afford to advertise the meetings very often.
We have been hoping to have a school for our younger canvassers this winter, but do not know whether we can, as they can not afford to stop their work very long. We ask to be remembered in your prayers. JOHN HOFFMAN.