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The Swedes

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 26, 1874

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 43, No. 24.

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The Swedes.

By H. F. Phelps

I ARRIVED at Maiden Rock yesterday. On my way, I stopped with the Swedish brethren in Lake City. I was very much pleased with my visit with them. The truth has certainly taken hold of some noble minds here. They were about to pass through some trials of faith which seemed to make my call providential; at least, they all expressed themselves thus. I hope I did them no harm. The Spirit of God was with us.
The day of my arrival, three Baptist ministers came to the place to do what they could to break down the work, and draw souls away from the truth. But the brethren had already decided not to attend the meetings, but to meet together and pray to God for help. I was very glad of the privilege of meeting with them. They urged me to speak to them; and as nearly all understood the English language, I did so. I was with them two days, and spoke twice. They listened with great attention. I had the pleasure of forming an acquaintance with Eld. Ongman from St. Paul.
In their efforts against the work here, they only succeeded in drawing one away. So eleven remained steadfast, and they were all excluded from the Baptist church. I thought of the text, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and shall cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy; for, behold, your reward is great in Heaven.” Luke 6: 22, 23.
Among those who are in the truth is the former leader of the church here. May the Lord give him a burden of soul for his people. They all seem to love the truth, and are trying to walk in it. May the truth speed on among this people, and to all nations. These friends are looking with favor upon the health reform, some of them beginning to doubt the healthfulness of pork, and are freeing themselves from tobacco, tea, and coffee. Let the work go on.
H. F. PHELPS.
Maiden Rock, Wis., May 8, 1874.