Labors Among Norwegians and Baptisms
By John Matteson
BRO. WHITE: I have labored some among the Norwegians in Christiana and Clinton, Jefferson county. These people are Lutherans, and very much like the Catholics. They consider all other churches heretics. Occasionally many would turn out, and some few were interested. In the first place some tried to disturb the meetings. One night they came along with fife and drums. They commenced to drum in the house, which was crowded with people, and continued some time to make as much noise as possible, calling upon the congregation to come out; but only a few went, and after the drummers were gone I spoke with freedom on the lamb-like profession of the dragon. How successfully the little horn has warred against the saints, filling the minds of the people with darkness, superstition, and prejudice. May the Lord soon cause the glory of the last message to lighten the earth that every honest soul may come out of Babylon. April 1, I baptized three souls, who were longing to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. They joined the Oakland church. We went to the lake Keshkonong. The waters were calm, the sun shone bright, and a crowd collected on the shore. The Lord gave strength in speaking of the blessings of vital religion, which has died out among the people in that vicinity. Our messengers have labored much in this place (town of Sumner). Once the Sabbath of the Lord was kept and honored by many, but now the no-law people make a clean sweep of it, and lead along all who have not a well grounded hope. The no-law theory agrees best with the carnal mind, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. I held a few meetings in La Grange. Several decided it was right to keep the Sabbath, and one determined to keep it. This is the place where they told me last winter I must have patience, and still they call for more. One man said he had labored with his minister about the Sabbath question half a day, and the minister doing away with the commandment of God, he had no more confidence in him. April 8, we had Quarterly Meeting at Little Prairie, and the Lord blessed us. There was more union and freedom at this meeting than I have seen before in this place. May the Lord help my brethren at Little Prairie to not be behind in any good word or work, that they may overcome with the remnant people of God. The Oakland Quarterly Meeting was well attended, and we enjoyed much of the Spirit of God. The brethren are humble and united, and I trust that they will rise with the message. The Lord help his little flock to be cleansed, purified, and get into a position where they can covet earnestly the best gifts, that we may soon behold a powerful work of the Lord.