Scandinavia

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Mar 31, 1904

We find the same loving, guiding hand of God here in this far northern country, so different from America in customs and laws. We began the year of 1904 with the week of prayer, and found it a strength and help to God's chosen flock scattered abroad in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

In Copenhagen, the capital city of Denmark, we have a mission school under the care of Brethren Christian and Murderspach, with about twenty pupils, many of whom will enter the canvassing work after the close of the school in April. The church there has also been strengthened by quite a large addition of believers, since Brother Christian began work there over a year ago.

The fifteenth of January I left for a trip to Sweden, crossing on steamer from Frederikshavn to Goteborg, where several meetings were held. We felt the presence of the Holy Spirit, both in speaking and in hearing. From there I went to counsel with the conference committee assembled at Nyhyttan, where we have an industrial school. At this council many questions of interest were considered.

I next went to Örebro, the place where children proclaimed the first angel's message. I visited the old Borg where these witnesses were punished. Here Brother Carlstrain is in charge of the health work started in that city. Quite a large company of believers is found there. As I went from that place, visiting churches in Sweden, I found that people were ready to hear, and hungering for more truth. At Stockholm we have a large church. Our depository located there is doing a good work. The canvassing work is prospering. Brother Emil Lind, with his long experience in that work, is pushing it to the front.

Farther to the north, across the water, lies Finland. The work was started there several years ago by Elder O. Johnson, now the president of the Sweden Conference. Elder John Hoffman has, for about five years, been in charge of that field. I was indeed glad to meet the workers assembled in Helsingfors, where we were together a few days, studying and laying plans for future work. Brother Fred Andersen is holding meetings in Helsingfors with good interest. Some of the leading citizens are attending his meetings, and he is busy every day holding Bible studies with several in the city.

The book department has revived under the careful and economical management of Brother Boettcher. Brother Hammer and his small corps of true colporteurs, are scattering the last warning truths all over the country, through books and periodicals. From the number of these silent messengers leaving the office, it looks as though there must be some souls who are hungering for the truth in Finland.

From there I went to Hanga and Stockholm, and stopped over Sabbath and Sunday at Lindköping, where Elder Öberg is holding meetings. I was much encouraged to attend these meetings and study the Word of God with the little company of believers, who have recently accepted the word of salvation. In Weinge, where Brother B. Anderson lives, we held one meeting, which was well attended by the neighbors around. We also had one meeting with the little company at Halmstad.

May the good work go forward in these countries. Even if the great waters separate one from another, the love of Christ is one and the same in every land and tongue. Yes, that boundless love makes caste, color, and language one in Christ Jesus.

President Scandinavian U. C.