THE NORWAY CONFERENCE by Ole Andres Olsen; Louis Richard Conradi

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 9, 1901

THE NORWAY CONFERENCE.

By Ole Andres Olsen; Louis Richard Conradi

The annual Conference for Norway was held in our hall at Akersgaden 74, Christiania, June 6–16. At the very beginning a good spirit entered our midst, and its influence was felt during the entire meeting. The attendance was considerably larger than last year.

There was at least one session of the Conference each week-day, and all branches of the cause received proper attention. The Bible studies and preaching services were well attended, and the interest manifested in the religious exercises showed that the gospel seed was being sown in good ground.

Some experiences were related that revealed the remarkable providences of God in connection with the progress of the truth in this field. We will note one or two instances referred to: In Lille Vandve, Slapön, Norway, a fisherman was converted a number of years ago. He felt that he must labor for the salvation of his comrades. As a result of his efforts, there was a great religious awakening in the neighborhood, and a number of fishermen, with their families, were converted. They rejected human traditions and the teachings of men, and took the Bible alone as their guide. This man saw the light on baptism, the Sabbath, the tithing system, and the proper relation of the Church to the State. As he began to teach these doctrines, he encountered much opposition. Meanwhile he met one of our ministers in northern Norway, and learned that there is a people in the world who keep the seventh-day Sabbath. Upon his return home, he, with three others, began the observance of the Fourth Commandment. After a while a small company was raised up, and a year or so later one of our ministers visited them, and the only additional light they received from him was concerning the celebration of the ordinances of the Lord’s house. At that time a few more united with them. Last November Elder O. A. Johnson visited these brethren, and organized among them a church of fifteen members. They are living together in harmony and love, paying a faithful tithe, and working earnestly for the promulgation of the truth among the fishermen. The children, as well as the parents, are careful Bible students.

Another case: A converted man was out alone, working in the woods, and a voice said to him, “It is the Sabbath day; you should do no work.” He listened to that voice, and went home. He began to talk to his brother, who was also a Christian. Upon investigation, his brother, too, became convinced that the seventh day is the true Sabbath, and they both began its observance. The man immediately took his children out of school, as he realized that they were being taught error there. He was summoned before the authorities for so doing, and made his own defense, to the best of his ability. He was fined one hundred kroner; but as far as we have been informed, the fine was never collected. While at work he had his children with him, and, as opportunity afforded, he talked to them about the word of God. He received a great blessing in this course, and soon there was a change in his children. He did the best he could to teach them at home, instructing them especially in the Scriptures. But as the authorities desired the children to attend the public school, and offered to excuse them from religious instruction, he consented to their return, until he could place them under the care of one of our teachers.

The financial and spiritual outlook is encouraging. The tithes and gifts, amounting to $3,750, were sufficient to pay the laborers, and $317 on the Conference indebtedness. The thirty canvassers sold $7,250 worth of books, and our two Norwegian papers came out with a small gain. In the three medical missions, located respectively at Christiania, Bergen, and Hamar, a good work is going forward, and they more than covered their running expenses. During the year seventy were added to our numbers, giving us a membership of six hundred and eighty-seven. Elder Hansen, in Bergen, was especially blessed in his labors; in that city we have a church of ninety-six members. One new church was received into the Conference, and three persons were baptized at the close of the meeting.

The book mission (Christiania publishing house) cleared about three hundred and ten dollars. Arrangements have now been made to utilize all the floor space in the two buildings at Akersgaden 74. The old building will be rented to the medical mission, and the publishing house proper will be so used that it will pay its expenses. Great was the appreciation felt for the much-needed assistance our American brethren have rendered the publishing house, and a resolution expressive of gratitude in this matter was passed by a standing vote.

Elder O. A. Johnson was re-elected president of the Conference; and that the Conference Committee might more fully represent all branches of the work, it was enlarged to seven members. The five ministers, six medical missionaries, six Bible workers, and thirty canvassers enter upon their duties for the coming year with good prospects of success. All things considered, we believe that the work is onward in Norway, and that brighter days are before our people there. O. A. OLSEN, L. R. CONRADI.