REPORT FROM BRO. MATTESON.
By John Matteson
MARCH 11 to April 3, I have rested and labored at home. My health is poor. This constant mental application wears on me too much. April 4 and 5, we had Quarterly Meeting at Oakland. Two were received into the church, and one brother was baptized. These were solemn and refreshing seasons. April 9, I commenced meetings in Racine. A few sisters are living here who embraced the truth last winter. They were anxious to have another effort made in this place. Racine is a city with 12000 inhabitants. 17 Protestant churches are holding dominion over about ¼ of this population. After much prayerful consideration I have decided to make an effort in this place. They have never heard the truth and I think the Lord is willing that they should be warned of the coming dangers, and invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb. We rented an old meeting-house; sent out notices to the different churches; six of these were read. Every thing that bears the Advent name is here despised. Babylon rules with power. Truth is trampled in the dust. Hypocrisy is well paid. Aristocracy crushes down all that will not bow. Fashion reigns like a tyrant. Many who would like to go to our meetings dare not go, for their little Popes make their creed-claims so heavy that they can neither lift hand nor foot. There are some in this place who believe in the second and personal coming of Christ, and immortality through him alone. And some more have been convinced during our meetings. The Methodist minister preached violently against the sleep of the dead; for quite a number of their members believed that way. One class-leader told them frankly that he believed the Bible on this point, notwithstanding all the ministers said. Said he, I don't want to be a hypocrite. I will give up my class. Never mind, said they, what you believe, only stay with us. So he stayed. The third week I went to the court-house, to make the meetings, if possible, more public. Again I sent notices to be read in the different pulpits, and had it printed in the city paper. Some refused to read, but in seven churches the notice was given. In the Methodist church they refused both times to read, therefore I gave it out verbally the second time. They paused just long enough, and then prevented further remarks by the voice of their large organ. One night they had a union meeting in the Presbyterian church. Here learned divines (one of them was my old school and room-mate) joined hands of union over the gulf of their several discords, controversies, and contradictory doctrines. Next they took powerful measures to put forth instrumentalities for the speedy conversion of the world. Not a word was read from the Bible, and throughout the speeches made by Baptist, Methodist, Congregationalist, and Presbyterian ministers, Bible sentences and sentiments were few and far between. Some of the Protestant ministers in this place think it is right to dance and play cards and billiards. If they will lower the standard a little more still, they will soon see the world converted to their own standard, or they will be converted to the world, which is all one and the same thing. It is so long since I have been in the head-quarters of Babylon that I could not help noticing a few things. In the new, large, Presbyterian church they have an organ which is very powerful in winning souls. It is said to have cost 3000 dollars, and a skillful musician, who works with a band six days in the week at balls and dances, makes splendid work on this instrument for the honor of the Christian Sabbath (?) and the enjoyment of itching ears. The music was so excellent that persons could hardly refrain from dancing as they went out. It fairly made the building tremble. What pleasure-seeking heart could resist such appeals? Truly, this is a soft and nice way of winning souls for the Presbyterian church. Only few can tear away from such influences and come to the court-house, and some who ventured cannot endure long to hear plain truths. Many even think that it is ridiculous to search the Bible for religion. The average attendance at our meetings has been 30-40. A few times there has been a little more than 100. Some have manifested good interest to hear, and have attended the meetings very regularly. After a week I went back to the meeting-house. I have labored now six weeks in this place. Quite a number are convinced that they have heard the truth, and desire to obey, but it is a very difficult place to keep the Sabbath. The people are mostly employed in large factories, and it is next to impossible to keep the Sabbath and retain a place there. I have had the pleasure, during my labors, to see two brethren take a decided stand for the commandments of God. One of them is a man of much firmness, activity, Christian experience, and hope. He believes there will yet be a great work done in this place. He has been a member of the Methodist church for several years. The prospects are not very promising, yet I trust the truth will do its work, and that some, even here, will prepare for the coming of the Lord. Last night two more, members of the Baptist church, rose up to manifest their determination to keep the Sabbath of the Lord. The brethren will meet every Sabbath, and have prayer-meeting once during the week. May the Lord bless these dear friends, and take care of the cause in this place. I think my work is done here for the present, and leave to day for Raymond, where I intend to labor till the Conference. Racine, Wis., May 20, 1868.