ADVENTIST CONFERENCE IN SWEDEN.
By H. P. Holser
SWEDEN is a field of more than usual interest in the history of the second advent movement. While Wm. Miller and his colaborers proclaimed with such power the nearness of the end of the world, and the close of the 2,300 prophetic years in 1844, the same great truths were preached by little children in Sweden. The time for this proclamation had come; and in some way or other it must be made. In the days of Christ, when the scribes and Pharisees, the professed teachers of the people, failed to fulfil special prophecies then due, little children burst forth singing the very proclamations of the prophecy. Had they not done so, the stones would have cried out. Luke 19:40. The Spirit of the Lord which is in the prophetic word was present, and moved on the children to proclaim what the word contained for that particular occasion. The word of God is living and self-fulfilling, hence the same will be repeated in some form whenever a special announcement is due. This was true in the great Reformation, was true of the first angel's message in Sweden, and will be true of every word of God yet to be fulfilled. This preaching in Sweden was accomplished through children too young to read; they announced hymns, quoted many scriptures, and spoke with a solemn voice. It was evident that God was speaking through them. The effect was marked; many were converted, and endured bitter persecutions. The Adventist Conference at Eskilstuna, a city near Orebro, where some of those converted were imprisoned, naturally called to mind these early and remarkable experiences. Elder J. N. Loughborough, who was in the great advent movement of 1843-44, was present, and delivered thirteen lectures on the experiences of those days and the subsequent history of Adventists. An interesting feature of these lectures was the well-developed fact that the same time message, based on the same prophetic periods, was simultaneously and independently proclaimed in more than a dozen parts of the world. The more the history of this work is studied, the more evident it becomes that the hand of the Lord has been in it all the way along. Instead of fading12and weakening with time, this fact is confirmed with increasing evidence as we extend this work. As we enter new fields, we find new witnesses. This shows that no one people fully knows how extensively the Advent proclamation has been made; and hence the end may be much nearer than it is generally believed to be. The conference at Eskilstuna continued from June 9 to 21, and was attended by 125 delegates, representing 22 churches. Besides the regular conference business, many discourses were given on various features of the Advent faith. Dr. Waggoner was present, and conducted studies in the epistle to the Hebrews. Nearly all the laborers in this field were present, and reported a good degree of progress. An interesting feature of the work in Sweden is the large amount of Advent literature circulated. In proportion to the population, more publications have been sold here than in any other conference. Eight new colporters were recruited during the meeting, so that 38 are now engaged in this work. As many as fifty thousand copies of one book have been sold. The conference was remarkable for the kind spirit in all the deliberations, and the thoughtful study of the word. The Lord wrought in a special manner in this field in the beginning, and may we see the same in the close of the Advent message.