p. 134 | Chicago, Illinois by John Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 7, 1873

Chicago, Illinois.

By John Matteson

CIRCUMSTANCES demanded my immediate presence in Chicago after my return from Minnesota. One of the brethren had gone into spiritualism and was laboring hard to draw others with him. Two others had backslidden, and a feeling of discouragement had come over most of the members. I labored among them five weeks, three of these laboring also, part of the time in Evanston. Evanston is the most beautiful town I have seen. Neatness, order, temperance, and healthfulness combined make it a desirable place. No saloons or disorderly noise at all are allowed. It is mostly inhabited by wealthy people who do business in Chicago. The place is eminent for learning. Here is a Methodist University, Seminary, Academy, and a great many other extensive buildings for education. The place has also become proverbial for its great piety. Nevertheless they appeared to me to be idolaters, worshiping the great gods: money, popularity, and fashion. I was favored with a sermon from the honored President of the University, one Sunday forenoon, to a very fashionable congregation. I had not for a long time attended a popular church and was perfectly astounded. Had the man professed to be a spiritualist, then I should not have wondered. The main part of his sermon was devoted to Darwinism. Yet he went back of the oysters, commencing the formation of man with the roughest kind of stone, which, through millions on millions of ages, developed and progressed until at last a brain came forth—small front, large back-brain. Millions of ages rolled on. Behold, about even back and front brain, yet balanced on a bird’s neck, not very steady in its motions. At last came forth large front, small backbrain balanced beautifully on a human neck.

These things he called undisputable facts establishing the great principle of progression, on which he proceeded into the higher spheres. Soon, said he, the real man would develop, and break this mortal shell; then he would look up into Heaven through the cracks, and take hold of the Omnipotent. Ascending up out of the shell, there would be a never-ending progression and development throughout eternity. To gather riches and walk in the bright light of human applause and honor was the sure way of going forward in this great work of progression.

Such sermons are applauded and highly spoken of by so-called Christian professors. Truly, Babylon is fallen, is fallen!

A few Scandinavian brethren and sisters are living here. One beloved sister (sister Johnson, who had embraced the truth by reading Advent Tidende) died in the blessed hope while I was here. She was very sickly; had thought of going to the Institute, but never reached it. Was very zealous in advocating the truth after she had embraced it. She went to a Swedish settlement in Iowa, where her brother lives, before her death. We hear now from there that the Baptist minister is keeping the Sabbath, is laboring to spread the truth, and that others are taking hold with him.

Three more embraced the commandments in Evanston. By the blessing of the Lord, the brethren in Chicago were encouraged and helped forward. One brother was excluded. His spiritualistic influence is cut off with the exception of one or two with whom we have labored, but there is still danger of their falling away. Five new members united with the church, three of whom were baptized. We enjoyed sweet peace and union celebrating the ordinances of the Lord. This church has stronger influences to contend with than any other among the Scandinavians, yet the Lord has helped hitherto, and we trust in him unto the end. I have been with the church in Oakland two weeks, and go to Raymond next week, the Lord willing. JOHN MATTESON.