REPORT FROM BRO. MATTESON.
By John Matteson
I PREACHED two weeks in Montcalm, with good interest. Then a Lutheran minister, being sent for, came from Wisconsin. The interest to hear was increasing to the last before he came. He preached only two sermons, one on sprinkling, and the other against the Sabbath. He was invited to stay and defend his side of the question; but no. Sunday afternoon he left the place, having made it his first and last point that the people must not go to hear me any more; by so doing, they would endanger their salvation. This was so much in harmony with their old prejudices and superstitions that he carried the day. The people could no more be persuaded to go and hear, at least at present. I have continued two weeks longer to try to have some meetings, and have visited from house to house. The number of attendants has been only from 6 to 8. On Sabbath, the 17th, I had a closing meeting. The Lord was present with us, as he had also been at the previous meetings, though we were but few. Some of our American brethren came to this meeting; also Bro. Jensen, and a Danish sister from Wisconsin. Eight persons have decided to keep the commandments of God, and five of them were buried with Christ in baptism. Two of them came out from the Baptist church, and the baptism of one was postponed. It was a solemn place and time when we descended into the quiet waters of a clear stream, and the Son of God seemed to smile upon us. May these dear souls truly walk in newness of life, and become the salt of the earth, that others may flock around them, and many more souls be saved in that vicinity before Jesus comes. In the afternoon we gathered for the ordinances of God's house, and were richly blessed. Then I took leave of these brethren, promising to come again when the Lord shall direct. Pray for us. I am now commencing meetings in Ashley, Kent Co., Mich.