Avon, Wisconsin by O. A. Olson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 23, 1872

Avon, Wisconsin.

By O. A. Olson

NOVEMBER 15, by request of Bro. Decker, I came to this place and commenced meetings near the village of Orford, among the Norwegians. Here is a large settlement of this class of people. They have three churches, and two ministers that live here in the settlement. They have never heard nor read on the subject of present truth, so this subject was entirely new to them.

The meetings commenced with a good interest which continued till the last. After continuing some two weeks and a half, the minister nearest by thought it necessary to take the matter in hand. He consequently gave orders for me to meet him at Orford there to take into consideration the subject of the Sabbath which I had then been presenting. I met him according to his orders. The result was, a discussion took place which lasted three hours, each speaker occupying fifteen minutes in each speech. The arrangement was, that we should confine ourselves to Bible evidence. This was adhered to for a while, but as usual when this papal institution cannot be sustained by the word of the Lord, the “Fathers” must make up the deficiency.

Although this meeting took place on one of the coldest nights we have had this winter, the congregation was very large and the interest intense. This being the first time that I have had any experience in defending the truth in a public discussion, I can but thank God for the liberty and freedom that I enjoyed. These things being new to the people and so different from their common belief and practice, they could not at once appreciate the plain Bible evidence. Still some were able to see which side dealt fairly with the word of the Lord, and what efforts were made on the other side to twist and turn aside the plain, “Thus saith the Lord.”

This discussion caused a great stir and excitement among the people. Since then we have continued meetings among them more or less, visiting them at their homes, talking and praying with them, until Jan. 6, when the lock-out argument was used. I feel sorry that the meetings could not be continued, as the interest to hear was better at the close than ever before. We then tried to obtain a private house, but could not. The power of the priest, and former opinion, is a powerful obstacle in the way of the truth.

As yet, none have commenced to keep the Sabbath, but quite a number are deeply interested, and these are some of the most respected in the community. As we have tried to urge the necessity of obedience, they answer, “We must have time to consider, for these things are so different from what we have been used to hearing and believing.”

I have tried to do what I could for them at present; and as I leave them for a while, I feel anxious for them. May God have mercy upon them, and not let them rest, until they yield obedience to all his commandments, and find pardon in believing. I obtained nine subscribers for the Danish monthly, and sold a number of books and pamphlets. Next week, I shall commence meetings in another place. May God help me to have a true sense of the solemnity and greatness of this work, and daily live so near the Lord that I can have a heavenly grace and wisdom. These moments are precious. Mercy’s hour will soon be past. The sinner will soon be out of our reach, and his doom sealed for eternity. God help me to realize it, and improve these moments in the fear of God.

O. A. OLSON.

Avon, Wis., Jan. 12, 1872.