p. 272 | Northern Europe by John Gottlieb Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 15, 1882

Northern Europe.

By John Gottlieb Matteson

ON the Sunday after Easter, I again visited the friends in Moss, and held two meetings. The weather was unfavorable, and few met in the forenoon; but in the evening the meeting was well attended. We cannot, at present, obtain a suitable place for meetings, and they are postponed until we can find one. Not a few are interested, and read our books and periodicals. I will visit this place again as the way may open.

Last Friday I went to Tonsberg, about sixty miles distant. This is the oldest city in Norway. It is surrounded by a picturesque and beautiful country, presenting a variety of mountains and valleys, fruitful fields, and sounds or bays. Here I met our colporteur, Bro. V. Berg, who had invited me to come to this vicinity. It is now three months since he left Christiana. In all that time he has been selling tracts and books, and getting subscribers, in the villages and country places between Christiana and Tonsberg. In that time, he has sold tracts and papers to the value of $124.85. He goes to every house and family, and intends to go through all of Norway in this way. In most places they will take at least a tract on the coming of the Lord, the prophecies, the Sabbath, or the immortality question. Thus the truth finds its way into many homes; and although some oppose it and others are careless, yet some become interested and search their Bibles. Bro. B. seems to have put his whole life and energy into this work, and we pray that God may richly bless his efforts. He has always been a very successful colporteur. When I ask him what he considers the most necessary qualifications for a good colporteur, he answers, "Constant zeal, and true interest in the work."

We had one meeting in Tonsberg. It was but poorly attended. I could not find any interest in the city. On the Sabbath we went out in the country three miles, and visited some. In the evening we had a meeting on Huso. This was well attended, and a good interest manifested. Here we had another meeting Sunday evening. We found some who desired to be directed by the truth. In the forenoon we had appointed an out-door meeting on Fojnland, another little island. No one would let us use their dwelling. The priest had warned them, and they were afraid. It was rather cold and rained a little, and besides there were services in the church. Nearly half an hour we were all alone, and could see no prospect of meeting. Then the people came from all sides, and the congregation numbered over seventy persons. Some sat on stones and pieces of boards, others stood up. Some had umbrellas. Now it was my turn. They did not seem to care for the weather. I spoke at first with some difficulty, being chilly, but commenced soon to warm up. By the blessing of God, the word made their hearts very tender, and much prejudice was overcome. I asked for a house to hold meetings in again in two weeks, but none dared to offer it, so I appointed meeting out-doors. But in the evening a man came and urged me to accept his house. He said he had plenty of room, and did not want to shut out the word of God. Both these islands are peopled mostly with seafaring men and their families.

On Monday we went to another place about four miles east of this. Found some large rooms for meeting, and went around inviting the people. The house was crowded in the evening, and there was a good interest to hear. The school teacher and a lay preacher were present. They had read several of our books, and were interested to know more about the truth. The people in this vicinity are mostly farmers. J. G. MATTESON.