Chicago Co., Minn by Chas. Lee

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 8, 1873

Chicago Co., Minn.

By Chas. Lee

The gathering of God’s people among the Swedes begins to move on favorably and with greater power. Another little company of eighteen have joined the pilgrim band. This strengthens all of us. Praise be unto the living God! Our whole strength consists now of about fifty individuals; and they are all busily employed in trying to get the truth before their fellow-beings. God has blessed us greatly of late in our meetings, so that we have, among those believing, realized a growth in the truth, from time to time.

Our enemies who have long prophesied that the “fire” we have been the means of kindling among them, they would soon quench, begin to find out that it is unquenchable; and it makes some of them feel rather discouraged, because it gets right into their churches, and takes hold of deacons, secretaries, etc. They send out their representatives, now and then, to give us a hint of their inward feelings toward us; but it often happens that they return with the same answer as is found recorded in John 7:46.

A few weeks ago, a company of fifteen made their appearance in the school-house where we held our meetings, for the purpose—so we were told—of taking me and some of my friends captive. Their commander-in-chief was to give the alarm by rising to his feet, and crying, “You lie!” Then his followers were to seize us, all at once, and drag us out. I kept on speaking one hour and a half, quite freely; and though the congregation at first seemed very uneasy, they at last became quiet and attentive.

When the great man of this company was asked why he did not carry out his purpose, he plainly answered, “I got my throat so full I was not able to speak.” I believe they learned a good lesson. May God help them to see the truth! CHAS. LEE.