Report from Bro. Matteson by JOHN MATTESON; N. FULLER

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 30, 1866

Report from Bro. Matteson.

By JOHN MATTESON; N. FULLER

August 13, I left Whitewater where I had labored in connection with Bro. Sanborn. There was but little demand for truth in this place, yet the Lord had a few honest souls desiring salvation. Four embraced the commandments of God, and I learn that they are still firm in the truth. With others the good seed is left, and we trust that some of them will yet flee from the wrath to come.

Worked at home till the 18th and held meetings with the brethren. The 19th went to Whitewater to review the Methodist Elder whom I had reviewed twice before on the subject of immortality. This time he preached on the form of departed souls, which he assured us was just like the human body, and tried to prove this from the great multitude that stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, Rev. vii. He said a great deal about Grecian, Roman and Indian heroes who went abroad after they were dead, according to the sayings of their people. With many other fables he tickled the itching ears of people. And such stuff, delivered with fashionable eloquence and handkerchief-preaching was pronounced sound doctrine. It is astonishing how people will swallow down the grossest inconsistencies and mere sayings of men, without even looking into their Bibles to see whether these things are so. And this they call progressing toward the glorious millennium, when all will be good and love the Lord. What disposition such doctrines cultivate in the people was clearly shown on this occasion. They would not give our Advent brethren seats in their house, before we requested them to do so, and then it was done reluctantly. The next day I learned that some lewd fellows of the baser sort, were waiting at the entrance to kick us out of the house, but as we went out through a side-door we did not happen to meet them. Truly, the love of many has waxed cold.

Next evening I reviewed the sermon with good freedom, and suggested that whether this or that theory should prove correct, some of us would certainly have to undergo a change in disposition before we could live peaceably together in the kingdom.

Let us remember, dear brethren, that we must all have the mind that was in Christ Jesus, or a disposition such as he had, in order to enter the kingdom of God.

Next day we had a friendly discussion with three Norwegian Methodist ministers, and left in the afternoon by rail-road, for Minnesota. The bridges through northern Iowa were all broken down by the late freshet, which delayed the journey some, and when I left the stage I had still 18 miles to travel on foot. I forded Turtle creek where the water was up to my breast and the current so swift that it was quite difficult to stand against it. As I traveled on and the satchel grew heavy on my shoulders, the words of Jesus came with cheer to my mind. “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

After crossing several sloughs, and meditating undisturbed in the moonlight on the wide extended prairie, where only now and then a lonely settler could be seen, I arrived at the humble cabin of a brother, at 11 o’clock, in the night. Next morning we went ten miles to meeting. Our meeting-house was a cellar, as they call it, or a house dug in the side of a hill, with turf on the roof, and clay floor. Here God met with us and our souls were refreshed in the Lord.

There is a Danish church here of nineteen members who embraced the message last winter, and to my great joy I found them growing in grace. I stayed with them two weeks, in which time the Lord was very good to us, and as he revived his work in our hearts, we were made to rejoice. They are all united truly and heartily into the health reform, and have confidence in the testimonies of sister White. Some others have commenced to keep the Sabbath and meet with the brethren.

Among these brethren I find these truths illustrated; that the real necessities of life are very few; that God will pour out his rich blessings in a humble dwelling on poor souls; that we can enjoy the peace of God in our hearts without having many conveniences of this world; that such individuals are much happier with all their toil and labor than many who are surrounded with the rich comforts of life; and that when brethren are poor, if they are only willing, they can do much for the cause of God.

Sabbath, Sept. 8 we attended the ordinances and had a solemn and heart-searching time. On first-day we went to the river side where four willing souls were buried with Christ in baptism. Then we parted and I went on my journey the same night.

May God bless his little flock in Riceland, and help you dear brethren to cling close to Jesus until you with God’s remnant people may gain the victory, and in the kingdom forever praise the Lamb that was slain.

From here I went to the Convocation Meeting in Monroe, Wis., where we enjoyed some profitable seasons. Here I listened to the best preaching I have ever heard from S. D. Adventists. It looks to me like moving in the right direction. Practical and heartfelt religion is what we need. A mere theory cannot save us. All the glorious truths which we believe must be made practical. We must so preach and believe, that our hearts will be filled more with love to God and our fellow men, and this love acted out in our every-day life. My experience is that in general, Americans make more pretensions and show, even in religion, than foreigners. But we are all carnally minded by nature, and must all come down to the simplicity of children if we would inherit the kingdom of God. And Jesus is mighty to save from all sin, all that come unto him.

Sept. 19. to Oct. 11, I worked at home and had many good meetings with the brethren. On the 29th and 30th we had Quarterly Meeting. A number of brethren came from Little-Prairie, but not as many as we expected. The blessing of God rested upon us. We had a heart-searching time. Peace and union prevailed. Two brethren united with the church. On first-day we went to a beautiful lake where three willing candidates were buried with Christ in baptism.

God helped us in these meetings. We can see more life and spirituality in the church. They have commenced to sustain two weekly prayer-meetings. And especially among those who are trying most to conform to the laws of our being can we see new interest at every meeting.

The brethren in Oakland have faithfully helped me to build a home for myself and family, for which I desire to express my heartfelt thanks. It is now finished and I can leave my family comparatively well cared for. I bless the Lord for his fatherly kindness in this respect, and desire to serve him while I live.

October 11th I went to Poy Sippi, and attended Quarterly Meeting with Bro. Andrews. Some brethren and sisters, who lived about a hundred miles off, came to this meeting. The Lord was with us and we rejoiced in him. One sister was baptized, and united with the church. May the Lord also here prosper his cause and bless his people.

JOHN MATTESON. Poy Sippi, Oct. 15, 1866.

Death of Bro. Lanphear.

DIED, in Hopewell, Ontario Co., N. Y., Oct. 5, 1866, Bro. Avery Lanphear, in the 51st year of his age.

Bro. L. was journeying to the State Conference on the 26th of Sept., when he was thrown from his sulky, and at the same time his horse kicked him and broke one of his legs below the knee. He fell upon his face in the road, no doubt injuring him more than could be seen. He was taken to a house near by, and, although among strangers, had the best of care as long as he lived, which was nine days. Fever set in, and as he was in a feeble state of health, nature soon gave way.

Bro. L. was converted at the age of thirteen, and united with the first Seventh-day Baptist church of Alfred, Allegany Co., N. Y., where he continued a faithful member until he removed to Nile, Allegany Co., N. Y. He then united with the S. D. B. church, of Friendship, of which he was made deacon, in 1851, and served in that office until 1858. He then united with the S. D. Adventists; was first made deacon, and, in 1863, local elder, of the church of Allegany. In 1864, he became a licentiate for the ministry. He served two years as President of the N. Y. and Pa. State Conference of S. D. Adventists, and was on his way to fill the Chair at our late Conference, when he met the accident that resulted in his death.

He leaves a wife and four children to mourn the loss of a faithful husband and a kind father; a widowed mother, who feels that she has lost a dutiful son; also two brothers and four sisters.

Another of our faithful men sleeps. His work is done, and he now waits for his reward. He, like Paul, has fought the good fight, finished his course, and there is henceforth laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give him at “that day,” as we humbly trust, and earnestly believe.

We feel his loss in the church very deeply; but we will remember that though he is dead, “he yet speaketh.” His prayers and exhortations are recorded in Heaven, and will be a swift witness against the careless who have been warned by them, and do not take heed. We tried to speak a few words of comfort, on the occasion, from Rev. xiv, 13.

N. FULLER.