CHRISTIANA, NORWAY by John G. Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 8, 1879

CHRISTIANA, NORWAY.

By John G. Matteson

The Lord has helped us hitherto. In him we trust. At the beginning of this quarter (April) the building society met. The secretary read his report, which showed that the committee had been very successful in renting the house to responsible parties. The whole rent (not including the hall for meeting) amounts to about 2,350 Kroner annually ($626.66). To this will be added about Kr. 500 for some apartments which we cannot rent before May, making, in all, about $760. This pays more than the interest. The treasurer’s report showed that he had received since Jan. 25, in weekly payments and donations, Kr. 551 ($147). The first payment (Kr. 500) on the capital has been met. We need means to fit up the hall in a respectable way for meetings. About one-fourth of this sum is in the treasury, and the rest is coming.

During the five months since I commenced meetings in my own hired house, the people have, besides the above, put Kr. 636 ($170), in the boxes, mostly in small coin at each meeting. This is enough to pay the rent, fuel, advertisements, and all other expenses for meetings, besides a pulpit and thirty seats. Then there has also been donated by friends Kr. 118 ($31.50) to the home mission. This is certainly doing well in these hard times, and in this country, where it is more difficult to earn fifty cents than to earn a dollar in America. Besides the seats I bought, Bro. Swenson, agent for the National line, has lent us seventeen seats for use in meetings. This brother assisted me much when I first came here.

I counsel with the committee for the building society about every important move, as they are brethren of some judgment. One of them is a contractor who keeps thirty men at work. He, with his family, has been converted from the world in our meetings, as well as many others.

My heart is encouraged. The Lord gives new strength in body and mind. The truth looks good to me. I have clearer views of the Lord and of his work. I am trying to get into a calm and close union with God. I feel reconciled to his kind providence. I am much encouraged by seeing the great interest in this work manifested by our brethren in America. May God bless them abundantly.

JOHN G. MATTESON. Osterhaugsgaden 12, Christiania, Norway, Apr. 7.