Jetsmark, Denmark by John G. Matteson

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 21, 1878

Jetsmark, Denmark.

By John G. Matteson

We had a prayer-meeting Sabbath afternoon in the meeting-house at Alstrup. It seems difficult for those who have just begun to serve the Lord to begin to pray with one another, but our little meeting was, nevertheless, encouraging. In the afternoon I spoke on the subject of Baptism to an audience of more than one hundred persons. There are twenty-five here who have commenced to observe the Sabbath and to serve the Lord; and many others are convinced of the truth.

Sunday, I held two meetings at Kaas, in the parish of Jetsmark, about nine miles from this place. We visited the church first. The service began there about an hour after the appointed time. There was to be a funeral service. The minister came out of the church clad in his ministerial robes and smoking a cigar; and he continued to smoke at the grave, even while the deacon sang several hymns. At last he was obliged to take the cigar out of his mouth while he spoke a few words at the grave. His sermon in the church lasted eighteen minutes, and consisted mainly in praises of the benefits and pleasures of married life.

There were at least one hundred and fifty present at my lectures in Kaas. The rooms were so crowded that I was obliged to stand on a stool, in order to get my head above the others. My head thus reached the ceiling, and I had to lean against those around me, as they crowded me on all sides. The truths spoken about the second coming of Christ were thankfully received by many. To-day I go to Sulsted, the Lord willing.

We need a faithful helper here in Vendsyssel. I can labor best by staying in this vicinity. There is work enough here for several years. It is easiest to labor where the people have a desire to hear; but there are other places farther away that should be visited also. Who is able and willing to help us?

January 21, 1878. JOHN G. MATTESON.