Among the Swedes by Charles Lee

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 8, 1875

Among the Swedes.

By Charles Lee

FOUR years have now passed since the third angel's message first found its way among the Swedish people. The first two years and a half we had no publications, not even a tract to help us in the work. Our Adventist hymn book, consisting of about a dozen hymns, was written with a pen, and constitutes the main hymn book yet among us. But we are now preparing to get one printed. The help extended to us by the American brethren has increased our courage, and helped us greatly in spreading the truth. The death of the editor of the Svensk Advent Härold has increased our responsibilities and work considerably, and many circumstances connected therewith have not seemed to be very encouraging; but God has blessed us greatly of late; and the burden, once so heavy, is now easy to bear. We feel grateful to God that we can be of some use in his blessed cause.

Since our last report, we have labored in Wisconsin, where we organized a church of seven members. Five or six more have embraced the truth since we left. We have visited the churches that were first organized, and we found them all in great trial and perplexity; but God has helped us to meet all the difficulties, and we have left them abounding in love, peace, and union. The severe trials that we ourselves have gone through during the past year have prepared us for the work we have had to do of late, and a long-asked question, “Why do we pass through such pressing trials?” has been fully answered. God has fitted us up to meet trials in others. Blessed God! he knows how to deal with his children.

In Isanti Co., Minn., where we have been laboring of late, God's blessing has rested upon us in a great degree. My wife has taken hold with me in preaching the word of truth. Every day our congregations number from seventy-five to two hundred persons. An increased hunger for the bread of life manifests itself from day to day, and sometimes the entire congregation is in tears. On account of the Minnesota Camp-meeting, we had to leave the good interest; but nine have stepped out into the light of God's truth, and will unite with the Cambridge church. The general invitation of the people was, “Come to us again soon.”

With ten churches as the result of labor among the Swedes, and the Härold, and two brethren who have already gained a little experience in the work to assist us, we feel like pressing into the great field with more zeal and earnestness for the coming year, trusting in God for greater victories. May God help us.

CHARLES LEE.