REPORT FROM BRO. MATTESON.
By John Matteson
Since my last report, Jan. 21, I have continued to hold meetings in this place. I have met with our Danish friends in prayer-meeting and on the Sabbath, and the work is steadily advancing among them. They now number twenty Sabbath-keepers and they are striving to obtain an experience in the spiritual part of this work. They manifest a willingness to learn, and we enjoy the blessing of God when we meet together. There is much disease in the neighborhood, and as I have successfully treated several difficult cases, they begin to be interested also in the health reform. There is a prospect of gaining others also, in the immediate vicinity, of the same class of people; wherefore I intend to continue to work as God in his good providence may open the way. I have also preached in English, in the Congregational meeting-house four weeks, giving twenty-four discourses. The interest to hear has been good. The Freewill Baptists, tried to start protracted meetings in opposition, two miles from here, but they ran down in about a week. The Elder then preached a discourse on the immortality of the soul, which I reviewed before a crowded house. At the same time a Methodist Elder from Milwaukee was preaching on the same subject in the same house where we have meetings. It was their quarterly meeting. They have tried hard to get some one to oppose in discussion, but they have not found any yet. In the evening another Methodist Elder tried to make out that our religion was no heart religion, but only outward, and the best way was to not go to hear at all. He labored hard to prejudice the people against me. After he was done I asked the people to sit down, and then appealed to their own experience, as they had listened from evening to evening; also insisting that it was neither kind nor becoming for a Christian to prejudice others against hearing the word of God. The Elder felt very much out of place, and could not say a word, when I sat down. Finally, says he, “Will you pray for us?” I knelt down and prayed freely for him and all the rest. Prejudice is removed and the truth gaining a good reputation in the community. The attendance has varied from sixty to two hundred, and there is more interest to hear now than when I first begun. A Spiritualist medium and lecturer came lately and tried to make a bold attack. I did not encourage his speaking in the house, told him I would not be responsible for it, and could not allow it. He then asked questions which I answered. Next evening he came again. He obtained permission to speak, so he came up again and asked questions. He declared that I could not answer. I answered one by one in the most direct manner, so that he himself admitted that they were answered. Then some one called him out, and others said he had better go home and read his Bible before he came again. Last evening I spoke on the subject of Spiritualism to a large and attentive congregation, and to the general satisfaction of those who heard. But though everything is thus favorable here, yet I am much perplexed about the results. They will acknowledge that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and that we have the truth on other points, but only very few manifest any willingness to obey. I appointed a prayer-meeting, but only a few came; also meeting last Sabbath; and again a few came. Only three of them took part. Solemn and stirring truth has been presented. I have also been interested in their salvation,173and have felt for them, and prayed for them. But as yet the results look discouraging. With about the same amount of labor a company has been raised up in the same neighborhood among another class of people. I have hope of some, and I mean to do all that I can. I have visited some, but I will now try to have less meetings and visit more. Pray for us that the Lord may lead on in this solemn work, and enable us to do just right, to seek his glory, and the good of our fellowmen. It encourages me to hear from other places, that the work is onward. God is leading his remnant people. Blessed be his name! Jesus leads on to victory, eternal victory. Soon the captivity of the daughter of Zion will be turned. Oh! for a complete preparation, that we may then rejoice with all the dear saints, with joy exceeding and full of glory. Raymond, Racine Co., Wis., Feb. 17, 1868.