Denmark by John G. Matteson

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 16, 1878

Denmark.

By John G. Matteson

Alstrup, April 8.—The past week has been an eventful one. The enemies to the truth have assailed us on many sides and in many ways, but the word of God has, nevertheless, had success. The preaching of the word has caused great excitement, and some souls break through and find peace and joy in communion with the Lord.

Last Tuesday the parish priest, from O. Brönderslev came to our meeting again at Nörrehede. Many were present. The conversation, which lasted about two hours, was almost entirely on the subject of baptism. He made many important admissions, which will serve to strengthen our cause here. His defense of infant baptism was very weak, his main point being that in infant baptism no promise is made from man's side, thus trying to prove that there is no agreement entered into in baptism; this he advanced as proof for the statement that 1 Pet. 3:21 does not apply to our time, but to the time of Peter and his cotemporaries. But there is a promise made in infant baptism, for the priest asks: Do you renounce the devil and all his works? To which the person who carries the child, replies, Yes. The priest's argument was therefore based on an entirely false statement.

This week I have had the pleasure of burying nine souls in baptism. Men tried to hinder us; but the Lord helped, so that we had our baptism unmolested by the mob. Our hearts were much encouraged.

I have received a letter from a friend in Christiana, Norway. He has for several years been convinced on many points of the truth. He is general agent for the Union Steamship Line, and runs a fish establishment. He writes that there are some who show an interest in the word of God, and that souls would come into the truth, if the word could be preached there.

I have also received very urgent invitations from Fyen and Sjalland (two of the islands of the Danish archipelago). It pains me that we cannot fill the calls that are made.

Yesterday I held a meeting in the Alstrup meeting-house, which was filled, as usual. One young brother from Svendstrup came twenty-three miles to see me. He has kept the Sabbath for some time, and loves the truth, although he has read only a few copies of the Tidende. He has suffered some for the truth's sake, but he has gained the victory over the enemy and has not become weary. He received a set of our tracts. We also gave a set to another brother who wished to search the Scriptures and become strengthened in the truth. To-day I send another package of books to Norway. There are many who wish to read them, and we hope they may be a blessing to them.

We long for our children and our brethren in the faith, in the far West; but we rejoice that we can be united in spirit, although we are absent in body. We are grateful for Brother White's encouraging words and for all the good will the friends in America have shown us. May the Lord richly bless every good work, and soon gather us to the eternal mansions. John G. Matteson.