The Danish Conference by Guy Dail

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 14, 1903

The Danish Conference

By Guy Dail

GUY DAIL

This year the Danish Conference was held in our mission building, “Ebenezer,” in the nicely situated capital, Copenhagen, a city of about four hundred thousand inhabitants, June 9–14. Sixty-two delegates represented the nineteen churches and companies of Denmark. The meeting was not so well attended as the one last year, although there was often a congregation of nearly three hundred. Elders Irwin and Conradi and Dr. Paulson were present, and rendered valuable help, which was greatly appreciated by all who were at the meeting.

The spiritual interest was good, especially among the young people. Our laborers seemed to be greatly encouraged at this meeting, and they go forth with renewed energy and hope. The educational and the canvassing and the health work received special attention. The financial condition of the conference is much improved. On the Sabbath, a day when God came very near to us, Brother P. Christensen was ordained to the gospel ministry. Seven candidates received baptism. Among them were two young people to whom an aged brother in Wisconsin sent some Danish papers in 1890. These papers awakened their interest, and one of our canvassers found them a few months ago, and through his efforts they were brought fully into the truth. Two other of the candidates were also largely indebted to our co-porteur work for their knowledge of the third angel’s message. Quite a number who have been attending Elder Lewis H. Christian’s meetings in Copenhagen the past winter and spring will soon be ready for baptism.

Denmark is a small country, yet it could make good use of a few more laborers, especially devoted Bible workers. The greatest financial necessity now confronting the Danish brethren is the raising of the second mortgage on the mission building in Copenhagen. This mortgage amounts to four thousand dollars, and bears five per cent interest. It ought to be paid as soon as possible, and then the building could quite comfortably pay its running expenses. It is a nice building, in a splendid location, and amply answers the purpose for which it was erected, although a little money must soon be expended in necessary improvements.

Some small, wide-awake, up-to-date tracts would be a blessing to this field, and to establish a tract fund for the publication of something of the kind, nearly twenty-seven dollars was collected. To assist in creating a co-porteur’s fund, about ninety-five dollars was given in cash and pledges; this money will be used in helping needy canvassers, who through sickness or misfortune may be brought into distressing circumstances.

The following-named persons now constitute the force of laborers, as suggested by the Committee on Credentials and licenses: those receiving ministerial credentials, P. A. Hansen, J. C. Raft, N. Clausen, L. H. Christian, P. Christensen; receiving ministerial license, L. Muderspach; missionary license, J. P. Hansen.

At the suggestion of the Nominating Committee, these officers were elected: President, P. A. Hansen; Vice-President, J. C. Raft; Secretary and Treasurer, Jens Olsen; other members of Conference Committee, N. Clausen, Dr. N. P. Nelson; Auditors, P. Hansen, A. J. Aagaard.

The following resolutions were passed in the business sessions:—

“1. Resolved, That we express our heartfelt gratitude to God for his prospering hand in the affairs of the conference during the past year.

“Whereas, Our American brethren have shown us their good-will by sending Elder L. H. Christian to our assistance, as well as giving us the benefit of the presence of Elders G. A. Irwin of L. R. Conradi and Dr. David Paulson during our annual meeting, and have further helped us in a financial manner, therefore,—

“2. Resolved, That we hereby express to them our appreciation of their kindness in these respects.

“3. Resolved, That the Danish Conference be requested to consider the advisability of sending out proper persons to awaken among our churches a deeper interest in the circulation of our health and evangelical literature.

“Whereas, We appreciate the work of the Library Committee in getting out ‘Faith and Conversion,’ the ‘Heavenly Meeting,’ and the ‘Signs of the Times,’ therefore,—

“4. We recommend, That our churches and scattered members take an active part in the circulation of these tracts, and we would urge the Literary Committee to make arrangements for the publication of additional inexpensive and neatly prepared tracts, as soon as possible.

“Whereas, The necessity of educating our young people becomes more and more apparent, and,—

“Whereas, It is impossible to establish a high school under the existing circumstances, therefore,—

“5. We recommend, That a five months’ training-school for workers be conducted the coming winter, and that, beginning with July 1, 1903, our brethren be asked to contribute ten öre a week, per capita, toward the support of such a course of instruction.

“Whereas, Both by precept and example the Lord has taught us to send out workers two and two, and,—

“Whereas, We have seen from experience how difficult it is to labor alone, and our brethren who labor in other countries two and two have greater success in their labors, therefore,—

“6. Resolved, That hereafter we endeavor to send out our missionary workers two and two.

“Whereas, It is the Lord’s will that the third angel’s message be rapidly proclaimed to all the people of the world, and,—

“Whereas, The day of the Lord hasteneth greatly, therefore,—

“7. Resolved, That our workers be recommended to lay their plans for holding two courses of lectures each year, so that the people may have an opportunity to decide for or against the gospel for this time.

“8. Resolved, That the laborers in the field correspond with the conference president as often as once a month, that they may receive from him and the conference committee any advice they may need.

“Whereas, It is often difficult and expensive to secure halls in the country, and,—

“Whereas, The rural districts ought to be as thoroughly worked as the cities, therefore,—

“9. Resolved, That the conference provide, as soon as possible, a tent to be used for missionary work in the country during the summer season.

“Whereas, It is of great importance to educate the people properly in the principles of temperance and hygiene, and,—

“Whereas, Our health paper gives valuable instruction upon these topics, therefore,—

“10. Resolved, That we heartily recommend our brethren to become subscribers to this paper themselves, and do what they can to distribute it among others.

“11. Resolved, That we recommend our conference committee to co-operate in the religious work of the Skodsborg Sanitarium as much as possible.

“12. Resolved, That our brethren and sisters be asked carefully to consider the health work among us, and determine whether they themselves, or some of the young people in our churches, ought not to be engaged in this or some other branch of the work.

“Whereas, God has greatly blessed us through the Sabbath-school work, therefore,—

“13. We recommend, That our people everywhere be encouraged to renew their interest in the Sabbath-school, and that such plans be laid as will lead both parents and children to take part more fully in this branch of the message.

“Whereas, In most places the Sabbath-school is the only religious school we have for our children, therefore,—

“14. We recommend, That every effort be put forth to make the Sabbath-school as attractive and interesting to the children as possible.

“Whereas, Unity gives strength, and,—

“Whereas, God’s cause in Scandinavia is in great need of all possible strength, and,—

“Whereas, It is inconvenient for brethren from other lands to attend so many local conferences, therefore,—

“15. Resolved, That we recommend the Scandinavian Union Conference to consider the advisability of holding an annual session of their union the coming year, in harmony with the general practice of the other European union fields.

“Whereas, The canvassing work is

the means of winning many souls to the truth, especially those who would not otherwise receive a knowledge of the message, therefore,—

“16. Resolved, That we encourage God-fearing men and women, who are capable of making a success of canvassing, to take up the sale of our publications.

“Whereas, The sale of our publications is a very important part of the third angel’s message, so that the Testimonies even declare that if one branch of the work is more important than another, it is the canvassing work, therefore,—

“17. Resolved, That we request the conference to give this department of the cause special attention; (a) in the selection of proper colporteurs, as such laborers are as important as ministers; (b) that only those be sent out as canvassers who have received thorough instruction in the Word of God and in the message for our times, in a school conducted for this purpose; (c) that inexperienced workers be encouraged to live and work together with an older canvasser in the beginning of their canvassing experience; (d) that we create a fund for the aid of canvassers in need of help; (e) that the churches show their interest in this work, first by their prayers, and, secondly, by contributing to this fund.

“Whereas, The sentiment of our people, and the teachings of the Testimonies, acknowledge the importance of the canvassing work, therefore,—

“18. Resolved, That hereafter this branch of the work be given greater attention at the yearly sessions of the conference.”

There has been some growth in the conference the past year (1902). Fifteen were baptized; thirty-six were received by vote, and their present membership is 649. The tithe for the year was $4,359, and the offerings $555. As far as we can see, the work in this field is onward, and the outlook for the future brighter than heretofore.

Christiania.