Of the five European union fields organized last summer during our European General Conference at Friedensau, the Scandinavian contains by far the smallest population—about twelve and one-half millions of people. Within its territory are the three organized Conferences of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, and the mission fields of Finland, Iceland, and Greenland. Nearly all the inhabitants of these lands are professed Protestants; and, considering the high standard of their education, their industry and frugality, and the liberties they enjoy, no other field in Europe is more promising than this. As early as 1877, Elder Matteson began his labors here; and through his efforts, for many years the membership in Scandinavia was larger than in any other European field. But the late financial difficulties somewhat checked the progress, and were productive of wounds that are but slowly healing.
Under the circumstances, it was thought best for Brother W. C. Sisley and the writer to visit these Conferences and the institutions located therein, this winter, preparatory to attending the Scandinavian Union Committee meeting at Stockholm. This Union Committee consists of each conference president in Scandinavia, the director of the Finland Mission, Dr. Ottosen, and the two general canvassing agents employed in the field.
The Danish Conference
Brother Sisley arrived at Hamburg, January 30. He looked over our books there, and the evening after the Sabbath, we left for Frederikshavn, near the extreme north of Jutland. Here, in 1894, a high school was opened, and it was in operation for a few years; but later on, because of financial embarrassment, it was found advisable to turn it over to the Skodsborg Sanatorium, for a summer health resort. As Dr. N. P. Nelson is now to take charge of the place, we may expect that it will receive a larger patronage, and make both ends meet. Last year's loss was nearly two thousand dollars.
BUILDINGS ON ELDER P. A. HANSEN'S FARM, NEAR SINDAL, DENMARK
Returning a few stations, we stopped at Sindal, where Elder P. A. Hansen has, on his own account, and at very reasonable figures, recently bought an estate of seven hundred and thirty acres. As he found many of our people in need of work, and desired to see something done toward starting an industrial school, he felt it his privilege to make provision for the beginning of such an enterprise. On the farm are most excellent and commodious buildings,—a roomy dwelling-house, large barns and stables, and a thriving creamery,—and the terms of payment are very easy.
We next went to Skodsborg, where the annual meeting of the sanatorium stockholders was opened February 4. Many things here have improved. Last year was the most prosperous one the institution ever had, its income from treatment, board, etc., being about twenty-seven thousand dollars, a net income of nearly four thousand. The sanatorium enjoys an excellent patronage from the best classes, both in Denmark and in adjacent Sweden. We spent five days here, looking over the books and investigating the general management of the institution. As the Skodsborg Sanatorium really started with nothing, and had to pay a high rate of interest for its money, it had a hard time; but we are assured that, with careful management, it can soon be put on a good, sound basis. The buildings being only cottages, more work is required than would be necessary if the buildings were nearer one another, and, again, the institution has to pay a high rent for outside cottages, in order to have sufficient room for its patients.
What the promoters of this enterprise sorely need is sufficient capital, at reasonable interest, to enable them to erect a suitable building on the sanatorium ground, and also to build a food factory in Copenhagen, where there is a small plant, which is able to satisfy the ever-increasing demands for health foods only by the greatest self-denial and under the most unfavorable circumstances. Dr. Ottosen enjoys the confidence of the medical fraternity, and we are assured that, if the new board of management work together in the bond of love, and our brethren come forward with the necessary capital, this institution will have a bright future.
While at the sanatorium we spoke to the patients and helpers, and on Sabbath, to the church in Copenhagen as well. At Skodsborg we received a donation of about forty dollars for the Oriental Mission.
The Danish Conference was also deeply involved in debt, but through the careful management of Elder P. A. Hansen, it is fast paying its liabilities. Already, its income is greater than that of any other of the Scandinavian Conferences. The canvassing work has suffered somewhat under various restrictions, but we hope it may be revived, as Brother Sherrig expects to give it special attention.
At Christiania
In company with Elder P. A. Hansen and Dr. Ottosen, we next went to Christiania, where we spent February 9-11. We found the situation much changed for the better. The two old presses, which were of no use to us, have been taken by the manufacturer in exchange for an excellent new press, without cost to us, and an old English press has been newly set up, and works well. The composing room has been moved to the basement, and the first floor is now occupied by Brother Lorenz's bindery. A good, new heating apparatus has been placed in the building, and it also furnishes steam for the old house. One would scarcely recognize this old building. It has been fitted up for a health home. In the basement are bath rooms, while above are dwelling-rooms for patients and helpers. Elder O. A. Johnson has been using the hall for a course of lectures during the winter, which were well attended. Thus every inch of the present buildings is not only occupied, but these buildings bring in sufficient rent to meet the running expenses and the interest on the property. Times, in general, are even worse than they have been before, and there would be no prospect of selling the property at present, for any reasonable sum. However, there is some probability of our disposing of the back lot. Of course the Norway Conference has suffered heavily because of this financial depression, and many of our brethren have gone to the United States; but the Conference expects to hold its own this year, and is paying off its debt. Elder O. A. Johnson here joined our party, en route to Stockholm.
The Swedish Conference
While the most of us went directly to the Swedish capital, Brother Sisley accompanied Brother Lind to our industrial farm, located near Jernboas. He brought a favorable report from the school, stating that there were thirty students in attendance, and that the spiritual interest was good. Stockholm with her three hundred thousand people, is the finest city in the territory of the Scandinavian Union Conference. Our offices here are favorably located in the heart of the city, near the main depot. In the cut, the corner building to the left contains our meeting-hall and offices. You can see the word Tecken over the basement window. This is a part of the words, Tidens Tecken, meaning in English, Signs of the Times, the name of our Swedish paper. This was our first visit to Stockholm, and we were pleased to meet Elder Erikson, who had recently arrived from Massachusetts, U. S. A., to assist in the work in this Conference.
All the laborers of the Scandinavian Union Committee were present, except Elder Hoffman, of Finland, who was kept at home by his interest in that country. Both he and Brother Anderson seem to have a good interest there. Last year the Finnish book sales amounted to over $4,540, but what they need in that field is more capital.
KING STREET IN STOCKHOLM
Until recent years, Sweden was, numerically, the strongest Conference in Europe; but, not having its own local president to look after matters, it has gradually fallen behind, until now it occupies the fifth place in membership; and in finance, it is even weaker; but we hope that this meeting has given a new stimulus to the work in this field. Our outside attendance at the evening services was good. While we had to talk quite plainly in our consultation meetings, yet the good Spirit of the Lord came in, and knit the hearts of the brethren.
In one thing Sweden still takes the lead—the success of its canvassing work. Last year the thirty-nine canvassers working there took orders for $22,178 worth of books, and delivered $22,515 worth.
Thus far the donations and the tithe of the tithe of the local Conferences has gone toward the support172of the presidents of these Conferences; but it was resolved to use these donations, as far as possible, in the mission fields,—Finland, Greenland, and Iceland being their present mission territory,—and thus make the work of the union a practical one. During the last half-year, the Scandinavian Union paid $179.86 toward the support of the European General Conference.
We can truly say that the Lord was with us during this meeting, and the desire of the Scandinavian Union Conference, with its twenty-one hundred members, is to press unitedly forward in the great work committed to this people for these last days.
