NORTHERN EUROPE by John Gottlieb Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · May 27, 1880

NORTHERN EUROPE.

By John Gottlieb Matteson

I REMAINED in Skien three weeks to help Bro. Jasperson. When I returned to Christiana, Bro. Rosqvist had been preaching in my absence with good success. During Easter week we had nine sermons. The friends brought an offering for the minister, as is customary. It amounted to $28.47.

Sabbath evening six brethren and sisters were baptized. This makes twelve in all since New Year's. The next day, the first Sabbath in April, we met to celebrate the ordinances of the house of the Lord; and 56 brethren and sisters took part in these sacred rites. These were very precious seasons to us. We have now 138 members of the congregation united by certificate. The church of S. D. Adventists in this place was formed June 7, 1879; 98 persons have during this time been united with us in full membership. Of these, three have died, three have left for other countries, and two have apostatized; thus we have 90 members left. Of these again five are in Sweden, three in other parts of Norway, and two on the sea, which leaves us about 80 at home.

Last Thursday one of the Bremen Ocean steamers left this harbor with 1,100 passengers bound for the United States direct, 400 of whom were Scandinavians. By invitation from the agent, Bro. Svenson, two of us went as far as Drobak, a journey of two hours. Thus we had an opportunity to preach a farewell sermon to the friends. We were permitted to gather on the quarter-deck, above the saloon. This was a precious opportunity for us. Besides this, Mr. Svenson caused Norwegian, Swedish, and German tracts to be distributed among the passengers to the amount of Kr. 20 ($5.36).

The same evening we held our church quarterly meeting. The Sunday-school has had an average of 78 members, and 62 in attendance during the quarter. The average membership of the Sabbath school has been 109; average attendance, 90. Thus we have had during the winter about 140 scholars in both schools. This is very encouraging, both to scholars and teachers.

The report from the tract society showed 56 members, of whom 34 had been active. They had secured during the quarter 69 subscribers for Tidernes Tegn, sold 1,192 papers, 69 pamphlets, and 32,544 pages of tracts; in all about 40,000 pages. They have also distributed 117 papers and 2,496 pages of tracts, written 16 letters, and visited 15 families. The sales amounted to Kr. 218.88 ($58.66), which was Kr. 25.13 more than the cost of all tracts and papers.

The tract society in this city, consisting now of only 34 active members, has sold, during the nine months since its beginning, tracts and papers for $201.19. Besides this, our colporter has sold tracts averaging $2.68 per week.

In Denmark the battle goes well. The Lord is blessing Bro. Brorsen's patient and self-sacrificing labor. The churches in Alstrup, Tylstrup, Hellum, and Dronninglund are prospering. The brethren west of Veile are faithful and active, and new ones have come into the truth near Aarhus and Ribe, and in other places. Bro. Kristensen has commenced to render acceptable help in preaching. Yet there is need of more laborers; many doors and hearts are being opened. On Sjælland there is also a better prospect of doing good than there has been in the past.

Christiana, April 14, 1880. J. G. MATTESON.