AN APPEAL by A. Swedberg

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, February 5, 1880

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 55, No. 6

AN APPEAL.

By A. Swedberg

BY A. SWEDBERG.

With the beginning of the year 1880, our Swedish paper enters upon a new and important era. As the readers of the REVIEW already know, it has been changed in form and size, in order to lessen its cost, and secure a wider circulation. This seemed necessary, as it does not yet pay its way. It now presents a neat appearance, and receives the highest commendations from all who have seen and read it in its new form. We believe that with a united effort on the part of our brethren everywhere, the Harold can, during this winter, be introduced into thousands of families that would read, and thus many of them would become permanent subscribers. During the last three years the list of paying subscribers for the Harold has been more than doubled. But to put the paper on a self-supporting basis, we need at least one thousand full-paying subscribers and two thousand in clubs.

Let us consider for a moment the condition of things in the Swedish cause. The Swedish brethren are few and scattered. Many of these few have been prejudiced against our American brethren by those who have apostatized from our faith. In this country there are no laboring preachers in the missionary field. My Swedish brethren are as sheep scattered upon the hills without a shepherd. And because there are so few to look after their spiritual interests, many of them are indifferent and inactive. Considering these things, what can be done to extend the circulation of the Harold, which at present is the main preacher in the Swedish cause?

This is an important question. And the present is an important time,—a time in which we wish to put forth special efforts to circulate the printed truth. But we know that our Swedish brethren cannot alone accomplish the work that should be done in circulating the Harold; hence we appeal to our American brethren for help.

There are several ways in which our American friends can help us in extending the circulation of the Harold. Bro. Loughborough says in one of his reports:—

“We must have more papers in Danish and Swedish, from some source, to help in that work from this port. . . . We hope our friends in America, who so kindly sent us clubs last year, will see fit to continue them, and that others who have clean papers, whether Signs, or German, Swedish, or Danish papers, which they would like to distribute, will mail them to J. N. Loughborough, Ravenswood, Shirley Road, Southampton, England. We promise you on our part that they shall be judiciously distributed.”

We have here at the office old volumes of the Harold, bound in paper covers, which are especially adapted to be used in the kind of work Bro. Loughborough is doing. If placed in libraries and on board of vessels, they could accomplish a great work. Here is a chance for those who have means, to invest some of it in sending these bound volumes of the Harold to Bro. Loughborough.

Many of our American tract societies are located in places where there are Swedish settlements. We appeal to such T. and M. societies to take clubs of the Harold, and judiciously distribute among those who are interested to read and investigate. Also, let active and capable canvassers be appointed to thoroughly canvass such Swedish neighborhoods. With the present attractive appearance of the Harold, the low price at which it is offered, and the beautiful and instructive premium that is offered with it at $1.00 a year, it takes but little effort to obtain subscribers. Here our American brethren can greatly assist us in the circulation of the Swedish paper.

In order that the Harold might more rapidly be introduced into thousands of families in this country, and thus its sphere of usefulness be increased, it has been offered six months on trial for the nominal price of 25 cents. Here is a good opportunity for our brethren living in Swedish communities or having Swedish friends and acquaintances, to send the Harold on trial to such among them as they think would be interested, and benefited thereby. We want 5,000 trial subscribers for 1880. Shall we not have them?

The cause in Sweden is onward. New laborers are constantly being raised up in that country to proclaim the solemn message. These call loudly for reading matter to distribute. The people are reading and investigating with great interest. Our colporters there are too poor to purchase reading matter for missionary purposes, but they are willing to devote their time and do all in their power to distribute our publications, if we will only send them. Who among those that are well able will pay for reading matter to be sent to these colporters for free distribution?

The cause we labor in is a glorious one. The third angel’s message must be proclaimed to the world before the great and terrible day of the Lord shall come. Shall we then stand idle, and see this work languish, when God is everywhere opening the way for us to carry it forward to a successful issue, and to the salvation of multitudes of souls that are now in darkness with reference to the great and solemn truths pertaining to our times? Let us put on the whole armor of God, and with courage and cheerfulness go forth into the missionary field. Jesus is our Leader and Captain. We need not fear; for he will guide us successfully through the battle, and at last we shall come off conquerors and wear the starry crown in the kingdom of God.

Battle Creek, Jan. 22, 1880.