REPORT FROM BRO. MATTESON.
By John Matteson
I am holding meetings now in the east part of the town of Alaiedon. It is two weeks since I commenced. The interest is good. House crowded every night. Congregation varies from 120 to 150. There is a Methodist class here, numbering 40. Most of them have favored the meetings; but a small faction have opposed very bitterly. They have class-meeting every Thursday evening and Sunday forenoon. I have attended every one, and invited the people to come. At first they had a happy time, shouting and shaking hands because the first-day Sabbath was so much blessed by the Lord. But as we reasoned with them in the synagogue, their happiness pretty soon turned into anger. So much so that the class-leader declared before all the people, that he would have nothing more to do with such proceedings. He is now keeping the Sabbath. Yesterday, two of their preachers came. Last night, they preached against us very violently. They gave out a class-meeting after preaching. I suppose there was more than 150 people in the house. I invited all to stay till after class-meeting, and I would review the discourse. All stayed. The lovers of Methodism got excited. Preacher said I had no right to do such a thing. The young people commenced hooting at him. Men and women stamped the floor and clapped their hands. Some of the faction went out doors and cried, Let us go to another house. Let us go. God bless the little flock. Glory. Hallelujah. Then a Methodist woman in the house got the power. She shouted, Glory to God. Jesus is here. Immediately a spirit of shouting seemed to come over me too, and I cried, above her voice, Amen. Jesus is here. Don't leave. If Jesus is here, why don't you stay? This kindled a shouting in the other side of the house too, and soon the attention was drawn away from the woman, and she came out of her power. The preacher did not know whether to stay or go. When he heard me shout, he got so happy that, although he had just been trying to make out in his sermon that we were thieves and robbers, now he turned round and shook my hand violently, and we had a friendly talk together, right in the midst of the row. The Methodist faction cleared out, and in three minutes the house was perfectly quiet, and the people listened attentively all through the review. By the grace of God, I will stay here till this battle is fought through. On the Sabbath, we had the Spirit of the Lord with us in rich measure. Twenty have commenced to keep the Sabbath. About forty attended the prayer-meeting. Unbelievers are under conviction. Our hearts have been made glad in the Lord. In trying to water others, I have myself been watered. We have started a Bible Class with eighteen scholars. Many more we trust will yet embrace the truth. Pray for us that the Lord may direct and bless abundantly. LATER. The interest in this place is still increasing. People come from far and near to hear. And although the house is densely crowded, and one quarter of the congregation has to stand up, yet perfect order and quietness prevail throughout the meeting. Many are moved, and their better feelings wrought upon. Last Sabbath, the Spirit of the Lord was present with much power. Several started for the first time in their lives to serve the Lord. Old and young wept over their sins. The Judgment appeared to us very near. We felt the awful, and yet cheering, presence of holy angels. Twelve more have started to obey the truth. To the Lord be all the praise. It is now three weeks since I commenced the meetings. Thirty names are on the list of our Bible Class. This promises well. The members take much interest. We have also started a Sabbath School. Pray for us, that the Lord may direct and bless in this work. There are urgent calls for preaching from six or seven different places right in the immediate vicinity. Mason, Ingham Co., Mich., Feb. 8, 1869.