Finland by J. T. Boettcher

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 7, 1913

Finland

By J. T. Boettcher

J. T. BOETTCHER

THE fourth annual meeting of the Finnish Conference was held at Tawasthus, June 25-29. Brother Rentala, a young Finn and former student of our school at Friedensau, held meetings in this town last winter, and succeeded in awakening a good interest. The hall, with a seating capacity of about four hundred, was filled evening after evening with interested listeners, some of the better class attending. Hence it seemed best to hold the conference at this place.

At the very beginning of the conference the police came, accompanied by detectives, to inquire into things and to learn why their small town of some five thousand inhabitants was to be disturbed by these meetings. The ministers present were told to get their passports registered. The chief of police also forbade any baptizing. After the first storm had passed over and they learned that we were quiet folk, seeking only the good of the people, they did not trouble us any further until the last morning of the conference. Then we had a baptism of twenty-six candidates. Just at the close, the chief of police came, but as the brethren had baptized just outside of the city limits, he could say nothing.

The attendance at the conference was very good, more than two thirds of the entire membership of the field being present. During the year 1912, eighty-nine new members were taken in by baptism, the net gain in membership being seventy-four. Three new churches were added to the conference.

Sabbath, June 28, was an occasion of especial blessing. The whole congregation dedicated themselves anew to the service of the Lord. In the afternoon of the day, Brother H. Mikkonen was solemnly ordained to the gospel ministry. As this brother is our first ordained Finnish minister, this begins a new era for our work in Finland. May it be the beginning of great blessings. There are some bright young people of promise connected with the work here, to whom we look for help in the near future. What a great blessing it is that we have schools where our young people can be trained for the work of God. We had no trouble to find translators for our preaching, as some spoke English, Swedish, and Finnish, while others German, Swedish, and Finnish.

Elder L. Muderspach was unanimously reelected president of the conference. Very little change was made in the conference officers. Elder J. C. Raft, president of the Scandinavian Union Conference, and the writer assisted in the meetings.

We are very thankful that there are now three hundred and twenty-nine Adventists in Finland, forty-five of whom are having good success in the canvassing work. These can exercise a power there that no other people can. Still there is liberty in Finland, but how long it will last only God knows.

On Friday evening, June 27, Professor Suksdorf, of Helsingfors, gave a very interesting lecture on health reform, which was also timely and practical.

Our foreign mission work was not forgotten, and a collection of 500 F.Mks. was taken up. The Sabbath-school collection amounted to 132 F.Mks. It is their earnest desire to reach during the year 1913 the ten-cent-a-member mark for foreign missions. All their donations stand quite high except the First-day of-ferings, which are small. But we trust that by the blessing of the Lord the brethren and sisters will come up on this point.

The influence of the meeting was very good, and all left for their homes strengthened and encouraged by the word of God.