Report from Bro. Matteson.
By John Matteson
Bro. White: I send the following report for the paper. April 1–13, I stayed at home (Oakland). We had several meetings with the church, and when we gathered for Quarterly Meeting, April 14 and 15, we had a solemn time. We have many trials and strong enemies, and these within do often betray us. Nothing can save us but the mighty arm of Jesus. When we are weary, and torn, and sinking, oh, how precious is a smile from the Saviour, a few drops of his refreshing grace. Why can we not have more of it? Why must so many fiery darts be shot at our poor wounded hearts? Why does the enemy so often break asunder those young and tender plants which our heavenly Father hath planted? How deep we have fallen! Jesus alone can save us. But sometimes he appears to be indifferent. We mourn in captivity. Our harps hang on the willows. In vain we tune our formal songs. The heart murmurs. Has he left us to weep in our sad despair? Then a gentle ray of heavenly light breaks upon our sorrowing minds, and hope revives. Blessed Jesus, thou wilt not leave us. We are pilgrims, few, feeble, and scattered. Toiling we have come. We long for thine appearing. When shall we behold thy face in glory? Shall I stand among thy people? On first-day, several rose for prayers, and as we cried earnestly to God, he blessed us. Three united with us and followed their Saviour in baptism. April 18, I went four miles south of Clinton, to a Norwegian settlement and commenced meetings. They kindly opened their meeting-house for my use, and here I delivered thirteen lectures. It was right in the midst of sowing, but the people gathered in spite of all obstacles. The congregation varied from one to two hundred, and the interest increased toward the close. Many were under deep conviction. Prejudice gave way before the truth, and sinners were anxious to be pointed to the Lamb of God. But say you, why did you not follow up the interest? The church trembled, the creed tottered, and the trustees hurried to shut the house against me. They would not suffer me to say another word on the Sabbath question. There is no other place that I can obtain at present to hold meetings, and thus I must close in this place, trusting the Lord will open the way to finish his own work in due time. Many are convinced on the Sabbath, a few have commenced to keep it, and some poor souls were weeping as I parted from them. May the Lord vindicate his own holy law, and receive glory and honor through Jesus forever, Amen.