Le Nord : revue internationale des Pays de Nord - 01.06.1940, Page 208

202
LE NORD
In this he did not succeed. Some few months later, on August
3ist 1864, the Norwegian Seamen’s Mission was founded in
Bergen as an independent society.
As it happened the original name of the organisation was
not The Norwegian Seamen’s Mission. The word “mission” was
still in the opinion of many people generally associated with
activities among non-Christian peoples. At the first general
assembly held at Bergen in 1865 the organisation was therefore
given the name “The Society for Preaching the Gospel to Scandi-
navian Seamen in Foreign Ports.” — This name precisely de-
fined and strongly emphasised the aims as well as the jield of
activity of the new undertaking. The official name was, how-
ever, too long for daily use. It became the usual practice to speak
of the Norwegian Seamen’s Mission, a name that now for several
years also has been the official designation of the organisation.
The general assembly in 1865 also resolved to apply to the
State for financial support from the “Educational Fund”. This
petition was not granted. The Norwegian Seamen’s Mission was
obliged to carry out its work exclusively by means of voluntary
contributions and gifts. And whatever differences the years have
brought, as far as the organisation’s economy goes, the position
is still the same.
Some few lines are enough to show the growth on the “home
front”. The small numbers of groups which began the work in
1864 were five years later organised in 10 circles. In 1914 the
number of women’s associations had increased to 1800, distri-
buted over 13 circles. And now the number is about 3400, distri-
buted over 16 circles.
The organisation’s financial development has been no less re-
markable. In the years 1864 to 1866 the contributions amounted
to 13,982. 48 kroner. In 1911—14 the contributions had increased
to 556,011.75 kroner, a little less than the receipts in the one
financial year 1938—39 when the contributions amounted to
588,000 kroner.1) Raised by church collections and contributions
from women’s associations this amount of money gives a good
proof of the interest the country at large takes in the Mission’s
work.
Some details will show the growth of this work abroad. In
') The total receipts, including the contributions made to the stations
abroad, amount to about 850,000.00 kroner.