CHRISTIANA, NORWAY by John G. Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 9, 1879

CHRISTIANA, NORWAY.

By John G. Matteson

The truth is onward. I have added one more room to our rooms for meeting. We now use four large rooms. The pulpit is in the middle room, and there are large double doors between, so that all can easily hear. We can now accommodate three hundred persons, still the rooms are filled with hearers at every lecture. I speak on the prophecies. Many are investigating and seeking the Lord.

Sunday evening about eight hundred attended in the Latin school, where I have hired a room for that evening. I spoke on the salvation of Israel versus the return of the Jews. The previous week I spoke on the millennium. The temporal millennium and age-to-come views prevail largely among believers and unbelievers in this city. The truth has gained a victory. Some tell me that their burdens for the old Canaan have rolled off from them. Many are turning their eye of faith to the soon-coming kingdom, and are beginning to understand that probation will soon be ended.

I have never before had so extensive an interest. Bro. Brorson and myself received one hundred and thirty copies of ADVENT TIDENDE for November. They have all gone out among interested readers, and I have not a single copy to send to other parts of Norway. The work is cramped for want of books and papers.

I have never seen so much religious stir in any place as in this city; and it has all sprung up in a few years. Some preachers who are dissenters have large congregations, and beside them there is a host of lesser lights. The ministers, missionaries, and colporteurs in fellowship with the State church are numerous. They have their prayer-meetings and Bible-readings, and work most diligently. One of their preachers used a large tent in the summer season. He has had thousands of hearers. Many people are awakened, and converted so far as they understand the truth. Prayer-meetings are held, and souls are seeking the Lord from one end of the city to the other.

There seems to be more than ten times as much religious interest in this country as in Denmark, and in Sweden the interest is said to be still greater. Many of those who are deeply interested in the truth are Swedes.

Would to God we had a paper here, and facilities for publishing tracts to go out to the starving thousands of this country.

JOHN G. MATTESON.

Osterhaugsgaden 12, Dec. 9.