The Scandinavian Mission.
By John Matteson
Norwegians, Danes, and Swedes, are called with a common name—Scandinavians. The first two classes speak and write the same language. The Swedes have a different language; yet it is so nearly like the Danish that we can readily understand each other. Of organized churches, we have two Norwegian, and six, Danish. Two more Danish churches are now being organized—in all, ten churches, with about two hundred and seventy members. In Minnesota, two little companies of Swedes have also been started by Bro. Lee. Besides this, there are scattered Sabbath-keepers living in different places, and our hearts are made glad by receiving letters from several persons that have been brought into the truth by reading the Advent Tidende. Bro. Olsen seems to labor with some success this year in Wisconsin. After years of temptations, and prayers, and fruitless attempts, he is at last enjoying freedom in presenting the truth before our countrymen, and I believe that he can do much good, if he lives near to the Lord. Bro. J. C. Nielsen has helped him some. No doubt Bro. Nielsen can also gain an experience in gathering souls for Christ, if he is persevering, energetic, and willing to have the Lord lay upon him a burden for souls. In Minnesota, in Brown Co., Bro. John Hansen is laboring with success. The Lord has blessed him much. When he wrote to me, Nov. 10, twenty-five souls had embraced the faith. Several were baptized, and fourteen have taken the covenant. There is but one ordained minister among our people. When souls are ready for baptism in new places, it is quite important that they should be baptized. I have therefore advised those brethren, who are both local elders and licentiates, to baptize candidates in new places, and organize as far as possible. They cannot ordain an elder, but a leader can be chosen, and S. B. organized; also Bible-classes, Sabbath-schools, and Tract Societies, as far as practicable. If any one is to be blamed for this, I will take the blame. From Freeborn Co., Minn., I have received letters. The church is alive and united, and all that have come out are firm. Bro. Jorgensen meets with them, and seems to be growing in the love of the truth. Several others, in different places, are looking on with interest, and may yet be made efficient in the harvest. The Lord is good, very good. The work is onward. A word to those who are trying to labor. Learning is good. But those who are learned, in some measure, often spoil their sermons and articles, by making them so learned, logical, burdened with rules, and full of hair-splitting, that they pass over the heads of the majority of hearers or readers. Find some one that knows less of the Bible and of Christian experience than you do. There are plenty of that class. Teach them what you know, not any more. Be determined to lead a few souls, at least, to embrace the commandments, and prepare for the coming of Christ. Persevere. Don’t run away because you get tired, or sick, or tempted, or because the children are crying at home, or because your heart is fainting in you, when you think of home comforts and pleasures. Stick to your duty, even though you feel that you are so unfit. Running away only makes you worse. In my estimation, one of the worst things a preacher can do in a new field, is to leave when there is a good interest to hear. Then study as you work. Study and labor. Study living as well as dead books. Work for God and humanity, and not for money. Don’t shrink from duty, whether your superiors praise you, or find fault with you. If you fall, rise up again. Never draw back till the victory is won. To be running from place to place all the time, accomplishing nothing, is a foolish and fanatical way. Be steady. Work with patience in a place till some souls are gained—twenty, or ten, or five. The Lord will certainly reward you if you work for him. Our American brethren are very kind to us. I appreciate their sympathy and help. Our dear Bro. White is doing all in his power to help us. But it is doing too much for us, far too much. The importance of this branch of the work, I am afraid, is overestimated. We are but few, and, as a people, we cannot at all be compared to our more enlightened American brethren. We are below in many respects. We have more recently come out of that hard bondage, which is so unfriendly to the cultivation of the mind. There is indeed a difference. But some of our people, I fear, will never get very good ideas of health reform and cleanliness. Yet I praise God for the improvement I have seen, also, in this respect. Brethren, we are unworthy of your notice. This work is much smaller, and poorer, than you think it is. Yet I feel for it. Oh, to save one soul! The salvation of one soul, safely harbored at last in the mansions of glory, is, in my estimation, worth all my labor. To labor for God, for eternity, for Jesus, for the salvation of lost souls—oh! how glorious. Our privations, sufferings, health injured, life shortened, comforts sacrificed—oh! how insignificant, compared with the exceeding and eternal gain. The Advent Tidende has become a very important part of the Scandinavian Mission. It is doing a good work, which is certified by testimonies from many places. I can speak of this more freely, as the principal part of our journal is but an echo of your best Tracts, and choicest articles from the REVIEW. I am now translating the excellent Sabbath tract of Mr. Morton, and also give a chapter in each number of Thoughts on Revelation, condensed. Next volume will contain a thorough examination of the Sabbath question, if the Lord will. To our American brethren, I do hereby in the name of our people, send forth our heartfelt thanks for your Christian kindness and sympathy. Walnut Station, Iowa, Nov. 17, 1872.