The Work among the Scandinavians in San Francisco
By C. CASTBERG
IN describing the condition of society in the last days the apostle Paul says that men should be “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” The truthfulness of this prediction is experienced every day, and more so in the large cities than in other places. The gayety, the fashions, the theaters, the brilliantly lighted and gorgeously decorated stores, and many, many other things, too numerous to mention, appeal to “the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,” and attract the mind away from heavenly and eternal things. Although sober and thoughtful by nature, the Scandinavians are, I am sorry to say, imitating the people among whom they live, and are drawn into the great vortex of evil that characterizes our time. In visiting their houses of worship one is painfully reminded of this fact; the small attendance, and the seemingly low spiritual condition of the members are clear indications of the prevailing state of affairs.19 But there are exceptions, and the Lord knows where they are, and he will bring them out into the clear light of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and to be instrumental in leading men and women to a better understanding of God and his ways is a privilege that fills my heart with a sense of appreciation and gladness. The promise of the Lord is that they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever. Already I have seen some good results from the efforts put forth, and Providence is all the time opening up larger doors for wider and more extended usefulness in this great field of labor—“not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;” “not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” Then “let us not be weary in welldoing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”