RECENT LABORS IN SCANDINAVIA AND FINLAND
By O. A. Olsen
After making such arrangements as seemed necessary for the time being, I left Norway for Sweden. I made brief visits to Orebro, Stockholm, and Nyhyttan, and then, in company with Brother Lind, labored and visited at Grythytted for two weeks. Nyhyttan is the place where our school is situated. It was pleasant to find the work advancing so well, and everything about the school and farm in a prosperous condition. The school premises have been much improved since coming into our hands. A good orchard has been set out, and the whole presents a much more enterprising appearance. The attendance and interest in the school are better this winter than at any previous time, and the financial outlook is also much improved. For all this, we feel much encouraged. During the Week of Prayer four young persons were baptized, three of these having been converted since the beginning of the school, in November. The attendance at the school is nineteen. While this is small compared with other schools, it is about all that our room can accommodate. The church in Grythytted is the oldest in the Conference. For some time a rather discouraging state of things has existed, and therefore it seemed desirable to make an earnest effort. We held meetings at five different places in the community, made thirty-three family visits, and the Lord was with us. The church was much revived. Some who had departed from the Lord returned, and experienced a new conversion. Four united with the church, and one of these was baptized a short time after. Many of our churches are in need of earnest pastoral labor. From this place I went to Finland, arriving there November 29. I visited Abo, Helsingfors, Borga, and Tamarfors. I remained at Abo four days, held nine meetings, and visited all the friends. We had an interesting time, and experienced much of the Lord's blessing. At Helsingfors I spent three days in the middle of the week, held meetings each evening, and in company with Brother Sandberg, visited most of our friends. I then went to Borga, where Brother John Hoffman and his family are situated, and where they are carrying on a series of meetings. I spent three days with them. This is a new field, no previous effort having been made here. It is quite an educational center, also the seat of the bishop of Finland. Brother Hoffman has a pleasant location, and his place of meeting is accessible. The meetings are fairly well attended, and some seem to be candidly inquiring after the truth. I have learned, since leaving there, that the attendance and interest are still good, and I hope that a company of believers may be raised up there as a witness to the truth of God. There is also a Bible worker assisting; and although at first it was difficult to gain access to the homes of the people, the way has now opened for all the Bible and fireside work that the laborers have time to put in. May the Lord give success to this effort. While most of the labor is done in the Swedish tongue, Brother Hoffman speaks through an interpreter twice a week to the Finns. On the Sabbath we all went to Helsingfors, to meet with the church there, and had a precious meeting. I also visited some of the canvassers at Tamarfors. The work in Finland is meeting with many difficulties; one of the most serious is the lack of even one laborer who is prepared to present the truth in the Finnish tongue. The canvassing work has been successful during the past year, even more than we dared hope for. Last winter it was decided to translate “Great Controversy” into the Finnish language; but in view of the limited amount of funds, and the large sum needed for getting out such a work, and the fact that many of the people are not able to buy so large a book, it was decided to publish it in two parts. Indeed, it was the only way possible in which to get the book out at that time. The first part was ready to be sold about July 1, and we are glad to report that the canvassers have been successful in taking orders and in delivering. The second part will soon be ready, and then we shall go over the same ground with that. We are thankful that the way was opened for getting this book out in the native language. As a result of the sale of our publications, we receive many calls for labor among the Finnish-speaking people. May the Lord hasten the time when some one will be prepared to present the Third Angel's Message in their native tongue. I returned to Sweden, December 14; made189another visit to Grythyttehed, and then went to Christiania, as there were matters in connection with the publishing house and its affairs that needed attention. On the 20th I returned to Stockholm, and remained there ten days. Many of the canvassers had gathered in the city so as to be present during the Week of Prayer. We held four meetings regularly every day—Bible study and devotional meetings at 9:30 A.M. and at 4 P.M.; at 11 A.M. we studied the subject outlined for the day, and had a more general meeting in the evening. The presence of the Lord was with us, and the Spirit of God made the word a living power to our hearts. The last Sabbath of the year we celebrated the ordinances of the Lord's house. This was an occasion long to be remembered on account of the presence of the Spirit and power of God. There have been but a few times in my experience when I have seen the power of God so manifested as on this occasion. The church and all present were much encouraged by the blessing experienced. From there I went to Göteborg, and spent the two first days of the new year with the church, and with the canvassers who were gathered there. I then went to Copenhagen, Denmark. During my stay there I spent some time at the Skodsborg Sanatorium. I was much pleased to find the work so prosperous, the house being practically filled with a good class of patients. The Lord has greatly blessed the work of the institution during the year. We had some good meetings with the helpers, and also with the patients. All are of good courage in their work. During the time, I also visited Malmö, Sweden, where Elder Oberg is conducting a series of meetings with a fair interest. I was glad to meet Elder P. A. Hansen and his family, who have recently arrived in Denmark from America. I found them well, and of good courage. Brother Hansen's coming had been looked forward to with much interest, and it is believed that his presence and labors will be a great help and blessing to the work. The work in Denmark has been passing through a trying experience, but the present outlook is encouraging.