p. 134 | Iowa and Dakota by John F. Hanson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 28, 1875

Iowa and Dakota.

By John F. Hanson

SINCE leaving Battle Creek last May, I have labored chiefly among the Danes in the above States. In Luzerne, Benton, Co., Iowa, five have yielded obedience to the commandments of God. After leaving Luzerne, I labored with the friends at Elkhorn. The Lord blessed, and three were baptized and united with the church.

From June 26 to July 5, labored with the church at Crescent City. Satan has tried hard by gossip and slander to separate and destroy this church, but the Lord in his mercy had a care for these friends. Here four were buried in the likeness of Christ’s death to walk in newness of life. There are now twenty-six members in this church.

July 14, came to Marshalltown and labored two weeks. Here four commenced to keep the Sabbath, and others were convinced of the truthfulness of our position. There are now thirteen families in this place that read the Advent Tidende.

July 29, came to West Dayton, where I labored till Aug. 20. The Danes in this place are nearly all Methodists. Although but few came to the meetings, ten persons commenced to keep the Sabbath, among whom were two who had been leaders in the Methodist church. This, of course, caused some stir in the place, and others are investigating in regard to these truths.

After leaving West Dayton, I visited Cedar Falls and vicinity. The Lord blessed with his Spirit, and three persons were baptized and united with the church.

Sept. 2, came to Swan Lake, Dakota, where I labored about a year ago. The friends here have made some progress. There are now three families—seventeen persons—who are keeping the Sabbath, and striving by a godly life and example to prepare for eternity. Sunday, the 12th, organized a church and baptized two.

Sept. 18, visited again the friends in West Dayton, Iowa. Sabbath, the 25th, had the privilege of baptizing nine. The Lord blessed greatly in celebrating the ordinances for the first time with these dear friends. On first day, the 26th, organized a church of ten members. Their Systematic Benevolence amounts to $40.00 a year. They desire to unite with the Conference. May the Lord bless these dear friends and help them to hold out to the end.

There are now four organized Danish churches in Iowa, with a membership of over one hundred. The work of the Lord is steadily going forward among them, for which we feel to thank and praise him.

JOHN F. HANSON.