Letters by John Matteson

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 5, 1865

Letters.

By John Matteson

"Then they that feared the Lord, spake often one to another."

This department of the paper is designed for the brethren and others to freely and fully communicate with each other respecting their hopes and determinations, conflicts and victories, attachments and desires, in the heavenly journey. Seek first a living experience and then record it, carefully and prayerfully, for the comfort and encouragement of the other members of the household of faith.

From Bro. John Matteson.

SEPT. 26, myself and two brethren, started west, having fitted ourselves for the intended expedition. On the third day we came to the Des Moines river, having traveled about seventy miles. Here we were sadly disappointed. The numerous lakes in the surrounding country, which last year teemed with game, were now mostly dry. The early game had all froze out last winter. Then our brethren earned here above $130,000, a piece in three weeks: but now there was nothing to do.

This is a beautiful country, but wood is scarce. Twenty miles southeast, lies Jackson, by Spirit Lake, where the first Indian massacre occurred in 1857 under Inkpaduta. A little further north is the Minnesota river, and the fields that witnessed such cruel scenes in 1862. It is strange to think of the awful deeds and Heaven-daring crimes which have so recently been committed. Above 2,000 peaceable beings were murdered in cold blood by the red man; and 30,000 panic-stricken individuals fled from the tomahawk and scalping knife. Eighteen counties were made empty; and had it not been for the interposition of a merciful God, the Indian warrior would no doubt have carried out his purpose, to wit: to drive the white man beyond the Mississippi.

When I consider these things, I cannot help thinking of that fable, the conversion of the world. During twenty years the government had spent their thousands of dollars, and put forth many efforts, to civilize the Indians. They plowed their fields, built houses for them, and fences, furnished them with everything that is necessary for a comfortable living, sent missionaries to preach the gospel, and yet after all this, those fiends butchered the gray-haired minister whom they so often had assured of their friendship! The tenderest appeals, the most sacred ties of friendship, the pangs and screams of innocent sacrifices, would never touch those hardened hearts. Nay, when children, who had been shot down, rose up again, with the blood streaming down their face, they would knock them down with the butt of their muskets. Our millennial friends had better go to work in earnest now and try another twenty years! If these savages harden their hearts against the gospel, by what means are they to be converted? Does not God's word say that such "shall utterly perish in their own corruption?" Or, "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy?"

Now the Indians are held in check by our soldiers. There is a fort here near the Des Moines, and one every six miles down to Sioux City. Nevertheless small parties of Indians will sometimes break through to steal and murder.

Oct. 4, we came back again, and I have since been working some for farmers. Blue Earth City is a thriving village, with a beautiful surrounding country of the most fertile soil. Houses are being built as fast as possible, and yet there is hardly room for the people, who are pouring in like a river. But religion and morals are rather low. On one of their Sabbaths I heard a political speech, which they called a sermon. The reverend preacher assured the people most eloquently that this Republic would stand forever! He exhorted the returned soldiers to be brave men that they might march under the stars and stripes when that flag should float under the banner of Prince Immanuel! The choir then sang, "The boys are coming home."

I tried my best to find a place to hold meetings, but some of the officers of the School-board were Spiritualists, and they said that all such protracted meetings were dangerous to the peace of the community. One of them had attended our lectures in another place, and he said it only excited and disturbed the people. There was only one more place in town fit to hold meetings—a hall owned by a Spiritualist. I went and hired that, but when, according to agreement, I came next Sunday to hold meeting, he had gone off, and I was told that a lady medium was engaged to come and lecture in the hall.

There are many Spiritualists here, and when I went away from this place, the words came to my mind, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit." Still I have no doubt but the Lord has some honest souls here also. Five miles west of the village there are a few who are endeavoring to live out the truth, with whom I met on the Sabbath. The Lord met with us, and we have been blessed, but I could find no opening to spread the truth further. Those who request preachers to come to such places, ought to look a little closer to the state of affairs before they put a brother to many inconveniences and large expenses which they are neither able nor willing to share.

Lately we have had much stormy weather. Oct. 26, I started to see a Norwegian brother who lived thirty miles off, and had requested me to come and see him. I arrived there Sabbath eve, having walked through the mud and water, some places knee deep, and faced a severe snowstorm all the afternoon. He is very lonesome and has not been to meeting for the last year. I spent the Sabbath with him, and we enjoyed its calm hours, and were refreshed from the Lord.

Sunday morning I walked sixteen miles to a Norwegian settlement where I had appointed meeting. I preached three times and visited six families. Some were interested, but most of them so prejudiced that there was no prospect for further meetings. The weather was also unfavorable. They were all new settlers, and a very dirty set of people. Here I had to sleep on a dirty floor, under dirty bed-clothes. Sometimes with four or five children and creeping things innumerable, and eat victuals mixed with dust and different things. And beside all this, I have had a cold for the last three weeks, and have still. Yet I have good courage and rejoice in the promise, "All things work together for good to them that love God." But I cannot help but think, what a great blessing those enjoy who have a clean home, and live in it.

Nov. 3, I went to Rice Lake, and there got on the stage to Albert Lea. Sabbath morning I went out to find a brother near Clark's Grove. I found him, and the brethren had appointed meeting here. Here is a large settlement of Danes, above fifty families, which are mostly Baptists. There are also many Norwegians living here. I found eleven Sabbath-keepers here, and eight came to meeting. Most of them have recently embraced the Sabbath. Some of them came eight and some eleven miles to meeting. But although they live so far apart they have kept up meeting all Summer. This is truly persevering. We had a good meeting, and were refreshed in the Lord. It is somewhat difficult to hold meetings here because the people live so far apart. Moreover my name has been duly published, and every one carefully warned not "to give ear to that deceiver when he should come." It was therefore thought best that I should spend a week visiting. I did so, and the Lord blessed my efforts. Next Sabbath we met again, and six new Sabbath-keepers met with us. We had a heavenly season. The Spirit of the Lord was there and we had freedom. All hearts were moved. They confessed with many tears that they had long resisted the word of God, but they would do so no more. It was joyful to see souls weeping and praising the Lord for friends for whom they had prayed, with whom they were now united sooner than they had ever expected. Sunday we had two meetings and enjoyed some blessing. In the afternoon I went to the Baptist meeting, and after they got through, I asked permission to tell what my Saviour had done for me. Some were ashamed to say no, others opposed. They took a vote and permission was granted. Then some went out, but most remained. The Lord gave freedom, and his Spirit moved many hearts, for which I feel to praise him. I hope it may be the beginning to remove prejudice, and the commencement of a good work. Pray for us, brethren, that the Lord may also here do great things for his people. I intend to stay as long as circumstances may demand.

JOHN MATTESON. Clark's Grove, Freeborn Co., Minn.