In conjunction with the Swedish Conference, which was held on our industrial school farm at Nyhyttan, Sweden, June 23-28, was also a council of the Scandinavian Union Committee, attended by Elder P. A. Hansen, chairman of the union; Elder O. A. Johnson, of Norway; Brethren Hoffman, Boettcher, Anderson, and Sandelin, from Finland; the leading brethren of the Swedish Conference; and Elders Conradi and Irwin, and Dr. Paulson.
The Scandinavian Union Council considered a number of important questions that concern the Scandinavian field as a whole. The Swedish brethren heartily united in calling for a Scandinavian Union Conference to be held near Göteborg, Sweden, next summer. It is thought that the proposed meeting will materially10strengthen the bond of brotherhood and union that should prevail among our people everywhere. It was voted to conduct a winter institute for the training of workers for Scandinavia and Finland. This will be done in connection with some public evangelical effort in one of the cities of the country. An effort was made to aid the Christiania Publishing House, by furnishing it as much of the printing of the three Scandinavian countries as possible. The school now conducted at Nyhyttan received encouragement from the union. The leading medical institution will be given to Denmark, the publishing house will be reinforced in Norway, and the school will be built up in Sweden. It was also decided to do as much as possible toward making our work in the Scandinavian countries absolutely self-supporting, even more than that—to bring up the tithes and offerings until this field may carry the missions in Finland and Iceland and Greenland.
MOUNDS AND CHAPEL, OLD UPSALA, SWEDEN
To speak in particular about the Swedish Conference: this was the smallest of the three Scandinavian meetings of the season; but we believe that in some respects it was the most remarkable and beneficial. The subject of the spirit of prophecy, as received by believers in the message, was given some attention by Elder Conradi and others, and this important doctrine is now much better understood by the people than heretofore. Another thing that will be helpful to our Swedish brethren was the more complete revelation of the spirit actuating the man who has for several years been seeking to become recognized as a prophet. He was given a hearing, and allowed the use of the pavilion; but this did not satisfy him. When Elder Conradi was ready to address the congregation Sabbath forenoon, he created such uncalled-for disturbance that it was necessary to conduct him from the grounds. Fully half an hour was required to overcome the confusion. After this God's tender Spirit came in with power, and the meeting became one of special blessing. God witnessed to his word. Souls were touched. The difference between the false and the true appeared in great contrast, and decisions for God were made. When those who wished to come into closer covenant relation with God were requested to rise, nearly every one in the congregation responded. The manifestation of Satan's power had only created a deeper longing for that practical experience which comes through a genuine acquaintance with the Holy Spirit.
The business sessions were harmoniously conducted. Practically the same laborers will be employed in Sweden the coming year as the past, and the same officers were re-elected save that E. Niemann was chosen secretary of the Sabbath-school Department, and the auditors are E. Lind and A. F. Roos.
A vote of thanks was passed to the American brethren for the money they had furnished the Swedish school fund from the sale of “Christ’s Object Lessons.” It was voted to make a more determined effort to circulate “Christ’s Object Lessons” and our other religious literature throughout the field; loyally to support the health work, including the small health institution recently opened in Örebro; to seek the furtherance of the Sabbath-school work, and to devote the Sabbath-school offerings for the coming year to the mission in Finland, and the First-day offerings to the Icelandic field. A small company was baptized at the meeting, six or seven candidates taking part in this holy ordinance.
Statistics show that during the year ending Dec. 31, 1902, eighty-one were added to our number in Sweden, making their total membership 784; tithe, $3,804.1; Sabbath-school donations, $255.03; First-day offerings, $13.24; annual donation, $184.95; general gifts, $241.36; book sales, $16,140.30.
The Finnish Committee being so largely represented, there were also several sessions of that body, in which progressive plans were laid for the spread of the gospel in that important land.
Each country presents peculiarities and difficulties of its own. Sweden is no exception. But God is working in every country, and he is at work in Sweden. He will have a chosen and elect body of believers from this nation to meet him with joy at his appearing. Hope and courage must be shown; for God is going before us. O that we may all follow closely in his leading! It means much—it means that we must give all to service—if we are to help form that glad company out of every nation and kindred and tongue and people, when he appears; but the crown is worth the cross.
