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NORTHERN EUROPE

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 6, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 45.

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NORTHERN EUROPE.

By O. A. Olsen

Since writing my last report for the REVIEW, we have passed through varied experiences; at times the outlook seemed dark and forbidding, then again rays of light would shine through the clouds, scattering the gloom.
In my former report, which was written several months ago, I made reference to the disaster which had befallen our Christiania publishing house, and the gloom that this had cast over the work here. At the same time I mentioned the encouraging attitude of our people in Norway, and the earnestness with which they had turned to the Lord, which resulted in their experiencing rich blessings and an increase of faith and courage. I also expressed our hope that it would be to the glory of God to come to the rescue of his cause and save his name from the reproach that would result from a failure to pay our creditors in full.
During the months that have passed since then, the outlook has at times been dark, and it has seemed as if it would be impossible to make arrangements by which the creditors could be paid in full. This has caused us much grief, because it would be a blot on God's work, and would give the enemies of the Lord occasion to reproach his name and cause in the earth. The thought of such a disaster to the cause which is more precious than life, was overwhelming, and at times seemed greater than could be borne. But the word of the Lord is sure, and his promises can not fail. He has said: “Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the Most High: and call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”
More recently our faith has been encouraged to hold fast to his promises, and to expect that the Lord will do that which we have been encouraged to hope for according to his word. During our darkest period the Spirit of God gave us, among other scriptures, these words for our encouragement:—
“I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity.” Jer. 29:11–14.
In reviewing last year's experience, I find the greatest reason for gratitude and praise to God. “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” Ps. 103:10–14.
My soul is pained over the lack of faith that I find in my own heart; but the experience and the lesson will be a profitable one in many ways, especially in strengthening trust in God under the most adverse circumstances. Truly, all God's dealings with us are in love, for our good and his glory.
The annual meetings in the different Conferences have all been seasons of blessing and refreshing. We had feared that, owing to the financial difficulties by which many of our brethren in Norway had been thrown out of employment, the meeting in that Conference would be poorly attended, and that a feeling of discouragement might come in; but in this we were happily disappointed. The attendance was good, and the spirit of the meeting most excellent. The presence and testimony of Elders I. H. Evans and L. R. Conradi during the first three days of the meeting were a great help. The Lord gave them much freedom, and their words of testimony were fitted to the occasion. The work of the Lord's aged servant, Elder J. N. Loughborough, was also much appreciated.
That the financial report should show a considerable gain during the year was a pleasant surprise. On the whole, the meeting was truly encouraging throughout, and must stand as one of the best in our experience. To the Lord be all the praise.
During the season I have attended, in company with Brother Loughborough, the annual meetings in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. These were all occasions of great blessing; but as they have been fully reported by Brother Loughborough, I need not here write of each in particular. The present outlook for the work throughout the European field is encouraging; but there is a sad lack of laborers among all these millions. While we rejoice in what has been accomplished, it must be regarded as only a small beginning compared with the work that is to be done. May God hasten the time when the message will go with power, and the whole earth be lighted with its glory!
O. A. OLSEN.
Christiania, Norway.