JOHN HOFFMAN by John Hoffman

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

JOHN HOFFMAN

By John Hoffman

Finland

THE work in Finland is the Lord’s work, and will therefore triumph in the end, although we now have to meet trials and difficulties. We are aware that we live in the sifting time; for not all who start out on the heavenly way persevere in it; when trials come to test them, some step aside into the downward road to ruin. But others only gain strength from every trial that meets them. These shall triumph with God’s people. Praise God for his wonderful kindness to the children of men.

Times are hard, and business suffers on account of the crop failure of last summer. In the northern part of this country the people suffer for want of food and clothing. Donations are coming in from America and other countries, so the people are kept alive. This condition hinders our book work to some extent, but still our few canvassers sold books to the value of $4,978.68 last year. The tithe received amounted to $791.62; Sabbath-school donations to missions, $40.71; other donations to missions, $31.92; to the home work, $43.84, making, in all, $908.09 received in this field; besides about one hundred dollars raised for the material fund of “Christ’s Object Lessons.”

Large numbers of young people emigrate to America. Some of our Finnish books are shipped to America, and sold to these; just lately we have filled an order for a brother working in northern Michigan. We also publish an eight-page monthly paper in the Finnish language. It is called Aikain Vartija. In order to place this paper before the Finnish people, both here and in America, we have decided to print an extra this coming fall. In this effort we invite the co-operation of our brethren and sisters everywhere, and especially of those who have Finnish neighbors. The paper will consist of sixteen pages, besides cover, will be well illustrated, and filled with as much of the present truth as such a paper can contain. We will send these papers in large or small clubs, postpaid, to America for five cents a copy. Should there not be many of the readers of the REVIEW who would order large clubs of this paper to sell or give away, thus bringing the truth to their Finnish neighbors? Should those having no Finnish neighbors, wish to help, cash will be gratefully received.

Orders should be sent in as soon as possible, as the number of these will determine, in some degree, how large an edition shall be printed. All correspondence should be addressed to Aikain Vartija, Jägaregatan 2, Helsingfors, Finland.