Report from Bro. Matteson.
By John Matteson
Our meetings in this place still continue, although the interest among outsiders is not great. Yet there are some honest souls who inquire after the old paths. The brethren are all firm in the truth, and are growing in the love of it. Peace and union prevail. I feel at home among these brethren. They are striving to overcome their sins, and are getting a Christian experience, which, if they continue in it, will certainly lead them in the way of everlasting life. They have more difficulties from outside to contend with than any other church which I know, yet the Lord has wonderfully directed their ways, and blessed them so far. Yesterday we celebrated the ordinance of baptism, and three dear souls were buried with their Lord, and rose to walk in newness of life. They have all given good evidence that their hearts are in this matter, and that they have commenced to love their Saviour and his truth. The influence against us from the churches is very strong. Hundreds of people would listen to the truth if these scores of divines did not continually fasten the creed-bands about them. They talk against us in private, preach against us from the pulpit, and write against us in their religious periodicals, and sometimes in their political papers, too. We have no means of defending ourselves, but to walk humbly before God. We believe that he will bring us help in due time. To give you an idea of the field among the Scandinavians, I will notice that, in this city alone, there are 8 Norwegian papers, two political, one with nine thousand, and the other with three thousand, subscribers; one infidel paper; one Methodist, one Baptist, and three or four Lutheran, religious papers. Of Swedish papers, there are probably as many more. The Swedish Lutherans have a weekly, religious periodical, as large as the REVIEW. They have just finished a new, brick church edifice at the cost of $10,000. There is no lack of intelligence, education, or means, among this people. The Methodists are having a large camp-meeting which continues about a week and a half. This has drawn away some of our congregation. I have thought some of closing my efforts here; but the brethren urge me to remain. I yield to their earnest entreaties, and trust in the Lord that some more good may be done. Last night our hall was pretty well filled. May the Lord direct in this important work for the glory of his own great name, and the salvation of precious souls. JOHN MATTESON. Elston Road 21, Chicago, Ill.