The Publishing House in Norway
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The following appeal, written November 20, 1900, relates to the
financial embarrassment of our work in Christiania, Norway. In 1899
word was received by the Foreign Mission Board that the publishing
house at Christiania had become involved in debt and was unable to
meet its obligations, and that the institution was in danger of falling
into the hands of its creditors. To relieve this embarrassment, financial
assistance would be required to the amount of $50,000. This the board
could not furnish, and though our brethren in Norway continued to
hold possession of the publishing house for more than a year after this,
little was done for their relief. It seemed that the building must finally
be given over to the creditors or be sold to raise funds for meeting the
debt. Thus the institution built up by years of labor and sacrifice would
be lost to the Lord’s work. To prevent this great calamity the Lord has
spoken through his servant in the following earnest words of appeal,
instruction, and encouragement.
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Our publishing house in Norway is in peril, and in the name of the
Lord I appeal to our people in its behalf. All to whose hearts the cause
of present truth is dear are called upon to help at this crisis.
Those who love and serve God should feel the deepest interest
in all that concerns the glory of His name. Who could see an insti-
tution where the truth has been magnified, where the Lord has so
often revealed His presence, where instruction has been given by the
messengers of God, where the truth has been sent forth in publications
that have accomplished great good—who could bear to see such an
institution pass into the hands of worldlings, to be used for common,
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worldly purposes? God would certainly be dishonored if His institu-
tion were allowed to fall into decay for want of the money which He
has entrusted to His stewards. Should this take place, men would say
that it was because the Lord was not able to prevent it.
These things mean much to our brethren and sisters in Scandinavia.
They will be sorely tried if their facilities are cut off. Let us make an
effort to prevent them from falling into depression and discouragement.
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