p. 199 | THE CAUSE IN SWEDEN by A. Swedberg

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 19, 1879

THE CAUSE IN SWEDEN.

By A. Swedberg

The prospect of the third angel's message soon being proclaimed in Sweden is brightening. Young men of ability, who have experience in preaching, are becoming interested by reading the Herald, and some of them are embracing the truth. The Lord is working upon the hearts of the people throughout Sweden, and many, with earnest prayers to God for light, are searching the Scriptures for the truth. Long have we been waiting and praying for the Lord to raise up living preachers in the Swedish cause; and now, as we see our prayers beginning to be realized, we feel to lift up our hearts in grateful praise to Him who has crowned our feeble efforts with success. We will humbly labor on in the fear of God and the counsel of our brethren.

The following is a letter from a young brother in Sweden, who is now with Bro. Matteson in Christiana, to become fully acquainted with the truth, after which it is his intention to go back to Sweden and devote himself to the spread of the truth in that country:—

Christiania, May 22, 1879.

DEAR BROTHER: I have now become acquainted with Bro. Matteson. The Lord has abundantly blessed his labors in Christiania, so that now many souls are rejoicing in the light which has been presented to them. His meetings are attended by large multitudes, and now even I have the longed-for privilege of listening to the words of instruction from his lips. His sermons are full of life and spirit. Tears flowed from many eyes while he preached to us this morning from Acts, first chapter. The Spirit of God was felt in our midst, and many were deeply moved. Oh, that many would heed such warning appeals, and decide for the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus!

As soon as the new hall is ready, Bro. Matteson will give a course of lectures on the prophecies. There will then be a good opportunity for me to learn how to give such a course in a new place. These lectures over, I will return to Sweden to show my brethren this heavenly light which the Lord has revealed to us in these last days. In Sweden there are no doubt many whom the Lord will call out from Babylon. The dark pall of ignorance has hitherto shut out the light from the Swedish people, but I believe the time will soon come when the Lord will remove it. When I return to Sweden, I will consecrate myself wholly to labor in the cause of God. There is also another Swedish brother here who is anxious to engage in the promulgation of the last warning message.

I wish to know what decision the Conference made in regard to Sweden. I think it would be well for Eld. Matteson to go there and start the missionary work, which might be kept up afterward by one who could devote his whole time to distributing our Swedish publications. They are silent, but at the same time forcible messengers, and their work will not be fruitless. I remain, your brother in the hope of eternal life when Christ comes. L. G. O.

We hope Bro. Matteson will continue to take an interest in Sweden, and that he will assist such as are worthy and capable of becoming efficient in the work of proclaiming the third angel's message to the people in that country. And we further hope that all who have an interest in this work will, in their prayers, remember the Swedish cause and those who labor in it.

A. SWEDBERG.