SCANDINAVIAN COLPORTERS

In Norway and Sweden, canvassing as well as colportage is free, while in Denmark the latter is forbidden, and the former is limited by unreasonable laws. From the first, canvassing and the sale of books and tracts have been made a prominent point in the missionary work in Northern Europe. The colporters have been sustained chiefly by percentage. In many cases they have had no other help; but in some instances where they have had a family to sustain, and their journeys have been long and expensive, they have had some additional assistance. This help has come from fellow-laborers in the mission, from donations sent to the office or to the missionaries, and, in Sweden and Denmark, from the Conference funds. Yet this has been very limited; in Sweden, for instance, three colporters in 1885 received from this last source about $34.HSFM 76.3

Some of the colporters have very much desired to preach, but having so little judgment in this direction that they would do more harm than good, they have been advised not to do so. Others who are better adapted to this work, have been encouraged to hold meetings now and then in the evening. They have dwelt only on such points of the truth as would be generally well received by the people, and have thus gained friends, obtained free lodging, and increased the sale of their books. The work of the colporter has been considered a good school for those who would become preachers, and it has proved to be so. Since we adopted the plan of holding Bible readings, there is a better chance for all to do somethingHSFM 76.4

Assistance being limited, the colporters have had to be very economical. They have traveled at the cheapest rate, and have been very careful of their expenses in every direction. The following facts concerning a trip made by Bro. Norlin through a part of Northern Sweden in the summer of 1884, may give an idea of the work:-HSFM 77.1

He was away a little less than three months, and during that time obtained subscriptions and sold tracts to the amount of $243. This was in the summer, which is the best time to sell books in that part of the country. In the winter season he sold much less. In most places he was received kindly, and the people often entertained him free of charge. He held meetings where there was an opportunity, and found that the people in this part of Sweden have more interest in religion and less prejudice than in other portions of the country. He went as far as Lulea, which lies six hundred miles north of Stockholm, visiting the cities, and traveling afoot through the country. I n Umeã he was allowed to speak in a Lutheran mission house. In Hernösand he obtained fifty subscribers, and in Solefteã forty. Some became interested in the truth, and a few afterward began the observance of the Sabbath, so that a few Sabbath-keepers have sprung up here and there from this effort.HSFM 77.2

One of our most active colporters in Norway is Bro. H. H. Surthen. About three years ago he came into our office, an entire stranger to us, and said he had come from America to be a colporter in Norway. While on his way to America a few years before, a fellow-passenger had lent him some of our books. By reading these he became interested in the truth, and after reaching America he found Seventh-day Adventists, and began to keep the Sabbath. As time passed, he felt a burden for the people of Scandinavia, and had now come to labor as a colporter among them. This looked to us like a wild undertaking. He was not fluent in speech; in fact, it was almost impossible for him to express his thoughts.HSFM 77.3

After spending a few days with us, he started out to sell books. These he paid for, and also deposited some money in the office. At first his experience was very discouraging. He went from place to place, meeting with frequent rebuffs but no success, until he became quite disheartened. He finally left the cities and went into the country, and after much prayer and meditation tried again. This time he met with some success, and since gaining a fair start in the work he has labored untiringly.HSFM 77.4

On one of his late trips to Lofoden, in the far north, he wrote: “At Throndhjem I went on board a small sailing vessel to reach this place in the cheapest possible way. The wind was against us, and it took us three weeks to reach this distant haven. Every time I visit Norland it looks to me like a risky undertaking. The barren, snowcapped mountain peaks towering far up among the clouds, very much resemble icebergs, and bring gloomy feelings. They remind me of the desolate fields of ice with their big white bears; and I begin to ‘think of my ready means, whether it is sufficient to take me back if my undertaking should prove a failure.HSFM 77.5

“When I reached the rugged mountain peaks of Lofoden (the most celebrated fishing place in Norway), many questions crowded into my mind. Can I find a foothold in this unpleasant place? Will the fish come this year? Have any among these weather-beaten fishermen dressed in oiled clothes a taste for anything else than fishing and sailing? My courage began to sink, and it was high time to look away from the cold mountains and dreary ocean, to the word of faith which the apostle says is near, ‘in thy mouth, and in thy heart.’ A fearful person may soon lose his faith, and become unfitted for colporter work.HSFM 77.6

“I have now been here two weeks. My earnings on sales are more than sufficient to cover my daily expenses. My earnings for January were $10.30. Please give the mission one-tenth, $1.03. For February (this was the month in which three weeks were occupied by the voyage) they were $5.02. Give the mission fifty cents.”HSFM 78.1

So far, the work of our few faithful colporters in Scandinavia, and in Sweden especially, has been rendered difficult by the lack of suitable books. It is of the highest importance for the progress of this branch of the work that the colporters have a good assortment of large and small tracts, pamphlets, and bound books. The publishers are working diligently to prepare books on various points of present truth in such a form as will be most acceptable and useful to the people; and we pray that the Lord may put it into the hearts of many faithful men to engage in the work of circulating these publications.HSFM 78.2

It is now nine years since this mission was established. For nearly two years I labored alone. Since then, laborers have from time to time been sent from America to engage in the work, and some have been raised up here, until there are now ten ministers, and as many more licensed preachers and colporters, working in these countries.HSFM 78.3

In Denmark we have nine churches, with 175 members; in Sweden, ten churches with 250 members; and in Norway there are three churches, with over 160 members. Besides this, there are in these countries more than 200 scattered Sabbath-keepers who are not united with any church.HSFM 78.4

There are many things which help to make the Scandinavian countries good and promising fields of labor. As a class, the people are honest and industrious, kind-hearted and generous. They have great respect for the Bible, and much more faith in it than the people of those countries which were longer under, the influence of the papacy. And while we render thanksgiving to the Lord for what has been done in winning souls to obedience to the truth, we must regard what has been accomplished as only a beginning of the work yet before us; and we rejoice that more laborers are being sent to this field.HSFM 78.5

As this sketch is being closed, we learn of the arrival at Christiania of Eld. O. A. Olsen and his family, Eld. N. Clausen and wife, and Bro. John Lorentz. Eld. Olsen, who for several years has had a general oversight of the Scandinavian work in America, comes at the recommendation of the General Conference to labor for two or more years in Scandinavia, and Brn. Clausen and Lorentz will assist in the management of the publishing work.HSFM 78.6

At the same time we learn that a linen tent, 40x60 ft., has been purchased in England for use in this mission, and soon after our annual meetings in Sweden and Denmark we hope to see this new tent used for the preaching of the third angel’s message in one of the large cities of Scandinavia.HSFM 78.7

J. G. Matteson.
Stockholm, June 6, 1886.