The Scandinavian Union and Danish Conferences
By Guy Dail
THE eighth session of the Scandinavian Union Conference and the thirty-third annual session of the Danish Conference were held conjointly at Copenhagen, Denmark, April 29 to May 5. The proceedings have been conducted without one discordant note, and the delegates have shown a willingness to sacrifice their own interests for the good of the work in general. Although Elder L. R. Conradi was detained at the Skodsborg Sanatorium for several days after the meeting of the European Division Committee, yet all were glad to avail themselves of his counsel. Elder J. T. Boettcher assisted in the two conferences, and all were edified by the experiences which he related concerning the dealings of God in the Russian empire, and by the spiritual nature of the instruction given. The past two years of the Scandinavian Union have been characterized by a steady growth in membership, but there has not been seen that increase in the tithe that we would be glad to report. The brethren and sisters seemed to take this to heart, and we confidently expect a healthy growth in this respect during 1912. There has been manifested a vital interest in the advancement of the cause throughout the mission field, and after the Danish Conference held its last meeting to-day, 1,608 kroner ($430.94) were received in cash and pledges for the work in the regions beyond. Sabbath forenoon, at the close of Elder Boettcher's sermon, a number responded to the call to rededicate themselves to the Lord, and many took part in the afternoon special season of prayer held with those who desired to make things right with God. There were one hundred fifty or two hundred young people in the Sabbath meeting, and their hearts were touched by the appeals made to them. Twenty-one were baptized. Our institutional work at Skodsborg and Frederikshavn has been blessed. Managers, physicians, and helpers have been united in their efforts to bless the suffering, who have been guests at the sanitarium in larger numbers than before, and the earnings of the medical missionary department are on the increase. The Skodsborg Sanatorium has been enlarged by the addition of a new wing, which contains a dining-hall, parlor, writing-room, and eleven rooms for patients. About one hundred fifty workers are employed here during the summer. In the union school, located also at Skodsborg, there were about fifty students the past year. A number of them will engage in some branch of the Lord's work this summer, and then return to further prosecute their studies this autumn. We confidently hope that erelong many calls for laborers in the destitute mission fields will be answered from Scandinavia. Our canvassing work here is in a prosperous condition. The book business for Norway and Denmark has been combined for one year, and we find that while there are some difficulties that have to be overcome by our colporteurs in offering Danish-Norwegian literature to the public of Norway, instead of strictly Norwegian publications, yet our book business does not seem to have suffered in consequence of having the imprint of the Scandinavian Publishing House. One of the most important changes voted at this time was the organization of the Scandinavian Union District, which takes from the Danish Conference the island of Zealand, with a population of about 900,000 and a membership of 518. The union president will thus have a distinct field in which he himself can hold public lectures, and superintend the development of young men from the school. Elder J. C. Raft was reelected president of the union, and Elder C. C. Jensen was chosen president of the Danish Conference for another year. The work in these fields is onward, and all feel of good cheer.