Four years ago it was decided to form the northern part of Sweden and Norway into a mission field. The idea was good; and if the results have not been just what we would have desired, it is largely due to the fact that we have not cared for this field as we should have done. Part of the time it has been left alone. We have 111 members in this field, ninety on the Norwegian side, and twenty-one on the Swedish. Northland has grand natural beauties, and a trip on a steamer among the island of the far North, surrounded by majestic mountains, on a summer night, with the midnight sun so gentle and beautiful, presents a sight worth seeing. I made a trip up there last summer, holding several meetings (on the Norwegian side); and my impression was that here we have a splendid field for work if we only had the laborers. But we have only one on the Norwegian side and three on the Swedish. Something must be done to supply this needy and neglected field with workers; and I beg leave to ask America to give us a good worker for the Northland Mission.
Lapland Boys
Harbor of Reykjavik, Iceland
S. D. A. Church in Reykjavik, Iceland
Laplanders
Last fall we sent a young man and his wife to the Faroe Islands. He started in as a canvasser, and God has abundantly blessed him, giving him a success far exceeding our highest expectations. He intends to continue his canvassing work till next fall, and will then begin a series of meetings.
Iceland
I visited Iceland last summer. It covers an area of 104,785 square kilometers (or 39,756 square miles), and has some 80,000 inhabitants. The country is very thinly populated, and one may often ride for many miles without seeing a house. It is now about thirteen years since Brother Ostlund first left for Iceland to begin work there. He first had to learn the language. The Lord helped him so that in a comparatively short time he was able to speak and write the Icelandic. Brother Ostlund has been working as minister, editor, translator, and printer. He has had many difficulties to encounter in his work, but God has blessed and prospered him in his efforts, so that we now have forty members, besides fifteen who keep the Sabbath but have not yet been baptized, making the total number of Sabbath-keepers fifty-five. During the last four years, thirty-eight have been baptized and received into the denomination, fourteen of them in 1908. And now that the foundation has been laid, we may be justified in expecting still greater advancement.
In speaking of Iceland, I must not forget to say just a few words about Brother Nils Anderson, who is Elder Ostlund’s right hand. Brother Anderson is busy at work summer and winter, selling books and tracts, and soliciting subscriptions for the Fraekorn (“Seed-Corn”), our Icelandic paper. In the summer he rides horseback all the day long, roaming about in the country; and in the winter he visits the cities along the coast. That the Fraekorn has four thousand subscribers, is partly due to Brother Anderson’s persistent labors. Generally speaking, there are no roads in Iceland, and for this reason traveling is often quite difficult. Brother Anderson does not permit difficulties and hardships to stop him in his work. If, for instance, he comes to a river or a creek, he dismounts, undresses, binds his clothes in a bundle, mounts the horse, and so crosses the water. As to lodging at night, he has to be satisfied with what he can get, and the same is true in regard to food. The houses are so far apart that he can visit but seven families a day, as a rule, if he works ten hours. But he never complains about his difficulties or troubles. Strong in faith, and with a heart full of the love of Christ, he surmounts all obstacles, and searches for his fellow men in order to carry to them the glad tidings that Jesus is soon coming. Brother Anderson studied for several years before he went to Iceland, and last summer I spoke to him about entering the ministry. But his answer was, “Brother Raft, who is then to take up my work? and how will it be with our good paper? No, please let me continue my work for three years more; and if you by that time have another man to put in my place, I will not object to making an attempt in ministerial lines.” He was right: it will be no easy task to find his successor.13
I wish to say here that as there are some 20,000 Icelanders in North America, mostly in Canada, it would be a good thing to have some arrangement made for a united effort on the part of America and Iceland in the matter of the preparation of literature in the Icelandic language.
Iceland is a poor country; and for this reason the prospects for our work over there are not as promising as might be, looked at from a financial point of view. The union must, therefore, be prepared to render some assistance to that field. Indeed, we hardly dare to hope that Iceland shall ever become self-supporting. It is encouraging, however, that also in this respect some improvement may be seen.
As you pray for Scandinavia, dear brethren, do not forget us. As I look upon this field, and hear so many Macedonian calls for help, my heart bleeds. We have done almost nothing yet. I might mention a large number of cities where meetings on present truth have never yet been held; large towns and country districts are also untouched. Everywhere the fields are white for the harvest. But we lack workers, especially young, consecrated workers, who will not shun difficulties. And they must have education; for the people of Scandinavia require much from one who appears before a public assembly.
I love Scandinavia and my people, and thank God for having been permitted to work in that field. I consecrate anew my time and my powers to the dear Saviour and to His cause. It is a glorious privilege to work for God, and nothing can cheer the heart more than to see His cause prosper, to see souls converted to the Lord. The coming of Christ is near at hand. The battle will soon be past; the controversy will soon be over; and then throughout the endless ages of eternity, we shall be in the presence of our dear Saviour! J. C. RAFT.
