The Third Message in Norway
By Francis C. Johnson
Bro. Smith: In the Fall of 1848, when I was in my native land, Norway, I think I heard the sound of the Third Angel's Message. There was a Sweed who preached the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus in that part of Norway where we lived, and we received his preaching as truth, but did not keep the Sabbath; for we thought that we would wait till we got across the Atlantic to America where there would be no persecution. But alas, the seed that was sown was checked by the deceitful riches and cares of this world. Our folks next joined the Methodist church, where they remained until about four years ago, when a dear brother talked to my father about the Sabbath. He embraced it, and the number of Sabbath-keepers in that place has increased. But the Lord could not leave the honest souls in the state which they were in; for the time had come that the jewels must be gathered out from among the rubbish. Baptism was presented to them, and all received it except two families who rejected it, and are now gone back to Babylon. It is almost two years since I made up my mind to keep the Sabbath. I kept it in my poor way for about one year before the duty of baptism was presented to me. I received it as the third condition of my salvation, and the step by which I put on Christ; but to my sorrow I have to say that I did not walk as I had received him; for I fought that which I now consider to be truth, and embraced the theory of the future age. I became worldly-minded, and I might say dead; but thank God, I was not plucked up by the roots. I spoke hard words against the gift of prophecy which has been manifested in the church, and against the Review. I feel to confess all my wrongs to my brethren and friends, and ask their forgiveness. I have confessed my fault to the Lord, and I believe that he has forgiven my sins. I feel to praise him for his love and great mercy to me. I want always to be in possession of the spirit of confession, for the word of God says if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I feel like taking a new start for the kingdom. There is a great work to be done in the harvest field, and the laborers are few. May the Lord of the vineyard send more laborers into the field. We have had very good meetings this winter in Koskonong and Oakland, the adjoining town. The Lord has been to work, and precious souls have been converted to him. There are some over twenty Sabbath-keepers of the Norwegians in Oakland, who believe in the Third Angel's Message and are trying to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. I feel to ask for the prayers of all the children of God, for I know that the prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Yours in hope of the kingdom.
Francis C. Johnson.
Westport, Wis.