The Sabbath Among the Norwegians.
By John Matteson
BRO. WHITE: On Jan. 5th I finished a course of lectures among the Norwegians in La Grange, Walworth Co. These meetings were generally well attended. At first there was a great deal of prejudice. The people hardly dared let me into their houses. They were very certain that I was a false prophet. But now many think the Lord is verily in this work. This people are naturally slow to decide, but firm when they once have received the truth. Two have commenced to keep the commandments, and many others believe it is right; but they say I must be patient and not look for the fruits of my labor too soon. The Lord has some honest souls here, who, no doubt, will receive the last message of mercy. In the same time I have met with the Little Prairie church on the Sabbaths. Jan. 7 and 8 we had a Quarterly Meeting. This church has been brought very low by giving the enemy a chance to sow discord. Oh that the remnant people of God would learn to live out the principle taught by our Saviour in Matt. xviii, 15-17. How important it is to be "swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." How necessary to heed the kind warning, "Speak not evil one of another, brethren." One member was disfellowshiped. Another was, after much labor, brought into full union with the church. I trust this church is now reviving and pressing nearer together. May the Lord help them to be on their watch and come off conquerors. I attended the Quarterly Meeting at Oakland. The Lord blessed us. One brother and a sister were baptized and received into the church. I have read some of Spiritual Gifts, Vol. iv, to these brethren in their own language, as many of them cannot understand the English. They love the testimony, and praise God for it. At Marquette I attended Quarterly Meeting the 28th and 29th. Many of the brethren from Mackford were present. The Spirit of the Lord was with us, and we rejoiced in the love of our Saviour and longed for his coming and kingdom. One determined to keep the commandments of God. This church has had many troubles, and some of these were still unhealed. We labored with this church two days, had two church meetings, and succeeded in restoring one to full union; and from one the church withdrew. We had a good meeting the last evening. All manifested much humility, and the Lord blessed us richly. We felt that we had got one step nearer to the kingdom. May the Lord bless the little church at Marquette, and help them to break all the chains of the enemy. The Lord grant that we may meet on Mt. Zion. Poy Sippi, Wis. Feb. 3, 1865.