p. 117 | Denmark by John G. Matteson

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Apr 18, 1878

Denmark.

By John G. Matteson

ALSTRUP, MARCH 13.—I am here again in this place to hold a few meetings and to write for Advent Tidende. Some are becoming weary in the way, but others go forward. Some visit us from Jetsmark, where I held a few meetings the past winter. They request me to hold some more meetings with them.

At Tylstrup Hede also the truth has progressed some during the past week. But the situation is very different from what it is here. The majority of people have no desire to hear, but deride all who do attend the meetings, and make every effort possible to hinder them from attending. I have held two meetings in Sulsted and two in the city of Tylstrup, but there are only a very few there who care anything about seeking God. The people are much addicted to strong drink, and wickedness and pride exist to a great degree. Superstition and unbelief have blinded them. They glory in their iniquity, and seek after worldly things.

At Tylstrup Hede the vice of intemperance also rules with great power. It seems as if Satan has much more power in this country than in America. But there are, however, a few who willingly search the Scriptures, and the word of God has made a deep impression upon their hearts. They are as brands snatched from the fire. Sabbath evening we held a Bible-class. It was of great encouragement to all. Sabbath was a good day for us. The good Spirit of the Lord was present at our prayer-meeting in the forenoon, and quite a number took part with us in the worship of God. A prayer-meeting has never before, to my knowledge, been held in this part of the country. There were more than twenty persons who kept the Sabbath and together tried to draw near to God. At the meeting in the afternoon, when we preached to the people, there was deeper feeling and more brokenness of heart than we have witnessed at any previous meeting. May the Lord himself establish this work to his name's honor and to the salvation of souls.

TYLSTRUP, MARCH 18.—We read Brother White's remarks about the European mission last week. It rejoices us to receive such encouragement from our friends in America. It gives us new strength and courage. We are very grateful, dear brethren, for your support, temporal as well as spiritual. Our dear Saviour has not forgotten us either. He blesses our feeble efforts. In his name we would renew our covenant with the Lord and with our dear brethren, and strive to labor to the glory of God and for the salvation of precious souls in this part of the great harvest field.

Some letters that we receive are unpleasant, but others are encouraging and show that the truth makes an entrance here and there, both in Denmark and Norway. I held two meetings in Alstrup last week. At the last meeting, two Friends, (Quakers) from Vejle were present. I let them occupy most of the time. They are friendly to us, and express astonishment to see so many devout hearers. There were over two hundred persons present. They said they were accustomed to see but few, if any, more than twenty present.

This week I spend with the friends in Tylstrup. About thirty persons were present at the Bible-class Sabbath evening, and twenty-six children attended the Sabbath school. The Lord blessed us also in our prayer-meeting, and in preaching in the afternoon. The Spirit of the Lord has found a place in some hearts, and they strive by the grace of God to go forward in the way leading to eternal life.

JOHN G. MATTESON.