Among the Danes by John Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 21, 1872

Among the Danes.

By John Matteson

From Raymond, I went to Chicago, where I stayed two weeks and held nineteen meetings. We have here a very convenient and pleasant house for meetings in the new chapel. Number of attendants in the meetings averaged sixty. I obtained here ten subscribers for Advent Tidende. Four were added to the church, which now numbers thirty-three, and three were buried with Christ in baptism. The blessing of God rested upon us in this solemn ordinance, and when we, on the evening of the first day, gathered to celebrate the death of our divine Lord, we were much encouraged by the Holy Spirit. Three brethren from Oakland were with us. Bro. Mo has fallen asleep. He was the first of the Scandinavian brethren in Chicago, who commenced keeping the Sabbath of the Lord. He rests in hope of a better resurrection.

The house and lot have cost the brethren about $2,000. On this they have paid $831.00, and are in debt for the rest. They decided to unite with the Wisconsin Conference, and chose a delegate to attend it. I proposed that they ask of the Conference the privilege of keeping their S. B., $264.00, for the first year, to help pay their debt; but they voted to use their S. B. exclusively to sustain the missionary work. They feel thankful that the truth has been brought to them, and wish to do all they can to help in this important work.

I remained with the brethren in Poy Sippi one and a half weeks. We had some very interesting meetings in this place. Eight were added to the church, and six baptized. Bro. Jeppe Nielson, formerly Baptist elder, was unanimously chosen and ordained as local elder of this church. He has preached some in this neighborhood, since he embraced the truth, to good acceptance. They now number forty-three members. Their S. B. pledged for next year amounts to $56.72. Most of the brethren are poor in this world, but we trust that they will strive to be faithful and obtain a crown of glory when Christ shall appear.

From this place I went to Neenah, where I held meetings ten days, until May 3. Attendance varied from forty to one hundred. A small church was formed here of eight members. One was added, and another decided to keep the Sabbath. They have pledged about $30.00 S. B., and desire to unite with the Conference. Others are convinced of the truth, but hesitate to obey. The friends here are very kind and liberal to us. Bro. O. A. Olsen has assisted me in my labor with good acceptance, and went from Neenah to Ft. Howard in company with Bro. J. Nielson, to try to labor there.

I am now at home, working for our dear paper. I have spent seven weeks with the Danish churches, and in that time twenty-three have been added to the church, fourteen baptized, and some others embraced the commandments. I have obtained twenty subscribers for the paper. May the Lord continue to bless in this good work. JOHN MATTESON.

Busseyville, Wis., May 8, 1872.