REPORT FROM BRO. MATTESON.
By John Matteson
I LABORED one week in Ashley before I went to Stanton. The Baptists had the entire control of the neighborhood, so it was impossible to get a fair hearing. Yet there was an aged couple in that place who did gladly receive the truth. I stayed in their house while there, and they kept one Sabbath with me. Their hearts were made glad by the truth, and they wanted to prepare for the coming of the Saviour. This brother is eighty-three years old. He has used tobacco since he was twelve years old; but when he understood that we must cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh if we would meet Jesus in peace, he at once quit the use of the filthy weed. I feared that he would be sick for a while. “John,” said he, one morning, “I feel better every day since I left that filthy habit.” How did you get rid of it so soon? “The Lord has made me whole; I hanker after tobacco no more, but rejoice in the Lord.” Brother Tobaccouser, go thou and do likewise. I have lately heard from these aged friends that they are firm and rejoice in the truth. Our Danish brethren in Montcalm Co. are also doing well. Two more have embraced the Sabbath since I was there. They have interesting Sabbath-meetings. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. Last Monday evening I finished my meetings in Stanton for the present. I have labored there seven weeks. In the school-house we have had a very convenient place for meeting. A strong effort was made to shut us out, but did not prove successful. Some of the most influential men in the place stood up for equal rights. There has been a strong current of opposition in private. Baptists and Methodists have tried hard to keep people away from meeting; yet some of their own members would attend to the last. The tongue of slander has been very busy. Miserable stories have been peddled about Sr. White and S. D. Adventists in general. Stanton is a bad place for such things; yet we have had a good hearing. The attendance has varied from 40 to 100. Much prejudice has been overcome, and the last meetings were best attended. There were six Sabbath-keepers in the place before I came. Twelve more have decided to keep the commandments, and others are investigating, who we trust will come along. We have had very interesting prayer and Sabbath meetings, where all felt the influence of the Holy Spirit. A lawyer in the place, who is a member of the Baptist church, has attended most of the meetings. He tried twice to oppose; first the immortality question, and afterward the Sabbath. The last time he got so divided against himself that he recalled some of his own statements. Last evening he again requested to speak. He said he was afraid some had become unsettled on general truths of the gospel, and he wanted to warn them against it. He was invited into the stand. Requested to open by prayer, but excused himself. Received permission to occupy the time first. Spoke nearly half an hour. Stated what S. D. Adventists believed concerning the second coming of Christ, state of the dead, immortality, destruction of the wicked, and the Sabbath. Said that none of these theories, except the Sabbath, effected our practice. Reasoned so much in our favor that it left quite a good impression on the people. Said he himself was unsettled about the Sabbath. If the seventh day was still holy, we certainly ought to keep it, by all means; but if the first day was holy we ought to keep that; yet no direct testimony was found in the Bible for keeping the first day. I spent a few minutes to try how much light there was in him on the law and the testimony, and then went on to preach a parting discourse to an attentive and interested congregation. Then we had a class-meeting. About 30 stayed. Many solemn and affecting testimonies were given. Brethren Hodges and Philo are appointed to lead the meetings. We have organized a Bible Class, and their regular meetings will be as follows: Prayer-meeting every Wednesday evening, and Sabbath, 10, A. M., Bible Class Sabbath, 2, P. M. We would be glad to have brethren from a distance meet with them whenever39you can do so consistent with other duties. Then please keep in mind two things when you go: Be punctual, and don’t come and disturb the meeting one hour after it has commenced. I think this would be well for all our brethren to remember and put in practice at all meetings. Come to take part in the meeting, that you may encourage others by your own lively hope. If you have not got a lively hope as yet, try hard to get one; it is high time. Hasten to make sure of the immortal inheritance before Jesus leaves the heavenly temple. May the Lord help and bless the brethren in Stanton, and help them to live for eternity. I intend next to labor in Alaiedon as long as the interest demands, commencing about the middle of January. My address will then be Mason, Ingham Co., Mich. Till then, I will rest and try to be ready for another effort.
JOHN MATTESON. Eden, Ingham Co., Mich., Dec. 31, 1868.