p. 103 | FAYETTE CO., IOWA by John G. Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 30, 1876

FAYETTE CO., IOWA.

By John G. Matteson

HELD meetings in Poy Sippi, Wis., one week, and dedicated their new meeting-house. Quite a number of brethren from Fremont and Neenah were with us. The Lord blessed us, and good impressions were made by these meetings. They have now a neat and comfortable house of worship all paid for. It was built by the American and Danish brethren together. On the Sabbath they have English meetings in the forenoon and Danish in the afternoon. They have a Sabbath-school in the English language, which forms a connecting link between the two. This is profitable on both sides. It gives our American brethren and sisters an opportunity to use their talent and experience in the religious training of the youth, and it gives our Danish brethren a chance to send their children to a place where they can hear and learn the truth in that language which they like best, and which should be their language in this country.

The next week, held Danish meetings near Cedar Lake, about ten miles from Poy Sippi. There has not been a better interest to hear the truth among the Danes in this country for the last twelve years than now. Some decided to obey the truth, and there is a good prospect that others will follow.

At Neenah we continued meetings in Danish a week. These were well attended. Sunday afternoon we were invited to take part in the American Temperance movement, by addressing the people assembled in a large hall, which we did. Our assistance was appreciated and thankfully received, as it drew in many of the Scandinavians. Here is probably a good opening for a tent next summer.

I have now commenced meetings among the Norwegians in this place. Here are more than a thousand of them settled together. The Lutheran church predominates, and there is much prejudice among the people. I have held one meeting. About sixty attended. They manifested good interest, and the Spirit of God seemed to move hearts, which encouraged us.

JOHN G. MATTESON.

Ossian, Winneshiek Co., Iowa, March 20, 1876.