Report from Bro. Matteson.
By John Matteson
At Burr Oak I stayed four weeks and held thirty-one meetings. The interest to hear has been good all through. The Lord blessed such as desired to be blessed, and sealed truth on their hearts. But when souls awakened from their slumber, and began to prepare to meet the coming Saviour, the enemy also, aroused. A noted Spiritualist doctor came to meeting, and challenged for discussion. We knew92him not, but soon understood by his speech who he was. He hated Moses, and the God of Moses he despised. We thought there was no call for a discussion and declined. But he was persevering in his efforts. A few evenings after he sent word and gave out appointments for lectures to begin as soon as my appointments ran out. The community called for reply, and we concluded this was duty. Doctor Minor is a man of considerable ability. He has been a public lecturer for many years. He has great physical and mental power, and an easy flow of language. His wife is a Medium (he has abandoned his former wife, having greater affinity for this one), and some said that he was also. We do not doubt that evil spirits tried their best to assist him. He is very bold, and knows no blush. He also seemed to be well versed in bringing all the influence of the mind to bear on other minds, and he could easily move a congregation. The first evening he spoke two hours with great freedom, throwing out all the infidel objections against the Bible that he could get room for. I sat in a corner taking notes. The house was very much crowded. Sometimes he would appeal to me personally. I never answered him a word, but kept perfectly quiet. We came to the meeting, and so did the brethren and sisters, praying that Israel’s God would stand by us. When he got through he gave opportunity for remarks, and again tried to draw me into a discussion. I got up and gave notice that I would review him next day. For about fifteen minutes he tried hard to draw me out. He would rub his brains, stand up, talk, sit down again, flatter and deceive, but all in vain. I told him my word was a word. Next day I reviewed him, and answered every one of his objections; also disclosed his miserable theories, which he called pure and consistent. How he railed and mocked at the Bible, and blasphemed the God of Israel! But he showed where his affinity was, for he called the Canaanites a peaceable people, and God cruel because he would destroy them. We showed from Lev. xviii, 20–24, and Deut. xviii, 9–12, what kind of people the doctor called good. Also his many misrepresentations of the Bible. We told him to bring the Bible next time and tell us where such things could be found, and not appear before the people as a miserable slanderer. He tried his tricks and mesmerism in vain. We never for a moment felt his influence, but had perfect freedom; while he felt the crushing weight of public opinion turning against him. He hung down his head and tried in vain to take notes. At his second lecture he brought a Bible. He made a feeble effort to meet a few of my statements, but seemed to have no influence on the congregation. He would excuse himself, flatter, and try to get up a little steam again; but I never saw a man more bewildered than was the doctor that evening. He tried to talk for two hours and a half, but he would wander from one thing to another, and never carry a point. He would take up ideas and before he was half through he would forget what he was talking about. He could not find a single text in the Bible, although he had turned down the corners and had notes besides. He often said he would talk on such a subject, but before he got round to it he would change his mind. No one in the congregation knew what he made out. He, of course, tried to show that man had an immortal soul. His strongest proof on this point seemed to be an experiment he once made with a cabbagehead. Boiling it down and cooking it up carefully it turned into maggots. This proved that there was life in everything, which could not be extinguished. Truly, good angels helped the people of God and shielded them against the enemy. Next evening we had a complete victory, and his influence with the moral part of the community is destroyed. We showed in his two lectures five untruths, fourteen blunders, and sixteen false statements. Goliath appeared before the congregation like a little school-boy that had not half learned his lesson. But if he had had the power in his hands I doubt not that he would have taken my life. Our trust is in God. He will keep us to the end. The truth looks good. It stands firm. Blessed be God for the light that shines on our pathway. The next day we had a good meeting as we took our leave of the brethren. Eleven determined to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus, and go with the remnant to the kingdom. A Bible Class and weekly prayer-meeting were started. May God bless his children here, and help them to live up to every known duty; then more light will shine on our pathway until we shall meet in the kingdom of God and be with Jesus forever. May the Lord also bless the dear brethren who live in that vicinity. Be not weary in well doing. God has heard your prayers and answered in some measure. He also will continue to lead on in the good work begun. Continue to plead with God, especially in behalf of your children. Try to get into full union and harmony with all who love the message. Remove difficulties from among yourselves, and the love of God will prevail, and you will experience more of the blessing of God at home and in meeting. I heartily thank you for your kindness to me, and for your prayers in my behalf. January 5 and 6 we attended Quarterly Meeting at Poy Sippi. A number went with us from Burr Oak. We had good meetings there. Two joined the church, three were baptized, and several started to serve the Lord. The last social meeting they said was the best meeting they ever had. The power of God was felt and moved upon the hearts. May the dear brethren and sisters here ever be found united, watching and praying, till the bridegroom appears. I am now at home once more after an absence of about three months. I bless the Lord for his kind preservation. My health is such that I cannot attend to the many urging calls that come from all sides. I must rest awhile; hence I hope my brethren will excuse me. I intend now to labor on a Danish work on immortality. When that is done, the Lord willing, I will try to be ready to again enter the field. Ft. Atkinson, Wis., Jan. 15, 1867.