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336
III. CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION.
Swedenborgians, comprising about 300 members; although founded by a Swede,
it has the majority of its followers in England and America (7 000 to 8 000 in
each country). Only Roman Catholics (circa 2 600) and Jews (4 400) are to be
mentioned as not professing the Protestant faith.
This large number of religious groups and sects also pursue an active, even
though very scattered Foreign Missionary activity. The contribution of Sweden
to such work in non-Christian lands comprises about 430 mission-workers and
involves an expenditure of 1’6 million kronor a year. The Swedish Church, whose
agency for this purpose is a Mission Board elected by Convocation, works in
South Africa and India, with 58 Swedish and 278 native missionaries among
7 700 native Christians; the National Evangelic Union in East Africa and India,
with 98 Swedish and 239 native mission workers among 3 700 native Christians,
the Swedish Missionary Association in the Congo, China, East Turkestan, and
Caucasia, with 130 Swedish and 263 native missionworkers among 6 000 native
Christians. There are, moreover, several smaller societies: the Swedish Mission
in China, the Sanctification Alliance, which also carries on work in the native
country, the Scandinavian Missionary Alliance, etc.
Among others, the Sivedish Missionary Society works among the Lapps and
is one of the oldest in the country, having been founded in 1835. Much is
done to provide religious care for sailors in foreign harbours, nor are the Jews
forgotten.
A lively connection of a religious kind exists with the numerous Swedish
emigrants in the United States. There, as at home, they are divided into several
different communities and sects. The majority of those interested in religion —
and many stand outside every religious community — have formed the Swedish
Lutheran Augustana Synod, which has 1 130 congregations, 640 ministers, and
260 000 members. It possesses 10 establishments for higher education and
various charitable institutions. Its ministers are trained at the "Augustana College
and Theological Seminary" on Röck Island, 111., with 35 teachers and 700 pupils.
The Swedish Missionary Association has also numerous supporters among the
Swedes in America; many have joined the reformed sects, especially the Baptists
and Methodists.
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