p. 54 | NORTHERN EUROPE by John Gottlieb Matteson

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Feb 5, 1880

NORTHERN EUROPE.

By John Gottlieb Matteson

THE mission in these parts is onward. Many doors are open for the proclamation of the last message. I give an extract from some reports for Tidernes Tegn. Bro. Tockzelius writes from Storfors, Sweden :—

Dear brethren in Christiana : My visit with you was very encouraging and profitable to me, and I am also thankful for the instructions in Tidernes Tegn. I am still a preacher in the service of the Ansgar-society. When I returned from Norway, complaints were made by the Missionary Board. They said, that I had imbibed Advent doctrines, and that they were very dangerous. They warned me to desist from such views if I wished to remain with them. I was brought before a council, and the consequence was, that they unanimously retained me as a preacher. One of the leaders defended me, and insisted that the Advent doctrine was not so dangerous.

Since that time I have tried to present the present truth, which has become very dear to me, both in preaching and conversation. This has caused much stir, and not a little opposition. Many search the truth, and some love it. A minister by the name of Erikson has received the truth and preaches it. I have listened to him several times, and rejoice to hear him boldly proclaim the faith. The Sabbath question weighs heavily on many minds.

Religious liberty in Sweden is much limited; but some of the most prominent men in our country intend to bring an appeal before the Legislature to change the law in this respect. Pray for us dear brethren, that the Lord may help us. Do not forget this.

This brother was baptised here last summer. Bro. A. Björk writes from Amot, Sweden :—

I must tell you, dear brother, that the Lord has gained five souls for his holy Sabbath in this place, and we have hope of more. I have sometimes preached the truth, and have scattered many tracts since I was with you in Christiana, and quite a stir has been caused. They say that Matteson has led me astray; but many of these opposers have returned, after having read the tracts, and acknowledged that we preach the word of God, and teach the right way.

The Lord has done much for us. Johansen, a colporter, has been reading our books, and now he reads our tracts in the congregation in the place of preaching.

Bro. L. G. Olsen found some Sabbath-keepers in Uppland, and many were interested in the truth. He preached three times in the Baptist meeting-house, and found an open door for the gospel. Some wanted baptism. He is now trying to labor for the spread of the truth about Söderhamn.

Bro. K. Brorsen has preached in nine or ten places since his last report. The meetings are well attended. Some have embraced the truth. The brethren in Dronninglund are of good courage, and labor diligently to spread the truth. Bro. Kristensen, the leader of their church, has helped him. He preaches also, as his time permits.

In Christiana and vicinity the cause is onward. The Sabbath question is the most interesting theme in Norway. Tract workers and colporters can sell Sabbath tracts the best. A Sunday movement is on foot in Norway, very much like that in America. When the Sabbath was proclaimed, it started the Sunday friends. A Sunday-society was formed, which tries, as far as possible, to enforce Sunday-keeping by law. Their missionary and head-leader held a series of meetings aimed against the doctrines of S. D. Adventists, and then he went to the principal cities, from one end of Norway to the other, to labor for Sunday, and to inform the people that a man had come from America who wanted people to keep the seventh day; that he caused much stir, but his influence was dangerous and should be avoided.

This same missionary attended the meeting of the Evangelical Alliance in Switzerland, and labored zealously for Sunday. Then he came back, and lectured about this in the Lutheran mission-house, which is next to our meeting-house. We hope some of the old friends of the Sabbath in Switzerland will soon do what they can for the Sabbath of the Lord. These movements are of the greatest interest in the light of prophecy, and we do not forget to call the attention of our friends in Northern Europe to these matters.

This week, the last in the year 1879, has been full of work. Thursday and Friday I preached six sermons. The friends brought a Christmas-offering of about $32.00. (I preach at present in two halls in different places.) Sabbath I preached one sermon, and in the evening lectured to the Good Templars, by request. We had an interesting Sabbath-school Sabbath afternoon. Sunday I gave three discourses, and we held a Sunday-school. This school has lately been started, and counts seventy-three members. It promises to be useful. Monday was full of business and writing. One thousand signatures of tracts were printed. The paper must be printed on one side Tuesday. Monday evening the singers were drilled. Tuesday evening we had a social gathering for the Sabbath and Sunday-school. Two hundred and twenty-five persons were present. I spoke to them on the present condition of the cause. We had some interesting exercises with the Sabbath-school. Between four hundred and five hundred hearers attend the meetings regularly every Sunday evening. The truth is gaining ground steadily. Tuesday I finished writing copy for the paper. To-day, the last day in the old year, we have read proof, have twenty letters and other things to write, accounts to make up, tracts to mail, and the paper is coming off the press nicely, -1,250 copies.

We read the reports of the General Conference with deep interest. Our hearts are with our brethren in America in this blessed work. My general health is better than it has been for many years. Thank God for his goodness. Dec. 31. J. G. MATTESON.