THE CAUSE IS ONWARD! by A. Swedberg

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, May 20, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 21

THE CAUSE IS ONWARD!

By A. Swedberg

The readers of the REVIEW have no doubt read with great interest the report from Eld. Matteson in the issue of May 6, in which he says:—

“In my opinion, Sweden is a better field for the truth than either Norway or Denmark, if proper labor could be bestowed. There is more religious stir, and the people are further advanced in religious matters, and more willing to listen to new theories.”

The truthfulness of this assertion is time and again verified as we read interesting letters and reports from those who have lately embraced the truth and commenced to labor in spreading it to others. From a report written by Bro. Tockzelius, we extract the following:—

“DEAR BRETHREN IN THE FAITH: For three years I have been employed as minister of the gospel in Lungsunds Lutheran missionary society. Last summer I undertook a missionary tour through Western Wermland, during which I expressed my convictions of present truth to several persons. Soon it began to be noised abroad that I advocated the views of S. D. Adventists, and a fellow-laborer reported it to the above-mentioned society, also requesting that I should be warned, and, if I did not recant my views, discharged from my position.

“The 29th of December the missionary society held their yearly Conference. I was asked if I would remain in their service during the year 1880. Instead of giving a direct answer to this question, I stood up and in the hearing of the whole Conference gave a sketch of my present views. This caused considerable stir. Some requested that I should immediately be discharged from their service; others, that I should discharge myself. This I would not do, but left it to the decision of the Conference. It was finally decided that I should remain in their service till the 1st of April. At another session, held the 7th of March, I was discharged and a new minister chosen to fill my place. That I am now discharged from office as preacher does not affect me at all, but on the other hand I feel glad that I am free to go wheresoever I choose. May I go where the Lord directs! May he assist me to wholly consecrate myself to the work of carrying forward the third angel’s message among my fellow-men.

“During the aforementioned Conference, discussions were held which no doubt will be of great importance as concerns the advancement of the cause of God in this country. The subjects discussed were comprised in the following questions: ‘Does man after the fall of Adam possess immortality by nature? or is eternal life a God-given gift through our Lord Jesus Christ,—a gift which we gain possession of only by coming to Jesus and exercising faith in him? Will the reign of Christ during the thousand years be in Heaven or upon this earth?’ Of

course many different opinions were expressed. And although much dissatisfaction, hatred, and spite were shown by some, still many were led to rejoice that the truth had been so clearly set forth on these subjects.

“Since the beginning of this year I have held meetings in different places. There is a great commotion among the people. Some favor the truth, while others declare it to be evil and harmful for the people. Some time ago I received a letter from a blacksmith, with whom I became acquainted last year, at which time we conversed a good deal about the views of S. D. Adventists. He then listened with marked attention, and now he keeps the Sabbath. At Saxhyttan, in Westmanland, there are a few friends who are ready to keep the Sabbath and become organized as a church. Others also are interested in the truth, and we hope they will join themselves to the people who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus. At Högberget, near Persberg, where I have held meetings several times, are quite a number who love the truth. Two lady school-teachers are convinced, and will doubtless keep the Sabbath. I have also been told of another Baptist sister, whose conscience upbraids her for working on Saturday. Behold how hard it is for those that love to walk according to the word of God, to transgress his commandments. Here and there we meet with persons who are lending a listening ear to the warning voice of the third angel’s message. Bobäck, a preacher among the Baptists, now stands on our side. For three weeks we have labored together, when I have had the privilege of witnessing his freedom in testifying for the truth. There is also another preacher, Edwin Ericson, who has begun to advocate the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Bro. T. further relates a conversation he had with a Methodist minister in the presence of several other persons. The truth was so clearly and forcibly expounded that one of the listeners admitted that Bro. T. had the Bible on his side.

We wish here to express our gratitude to the T. and M. workers among our American brethren, especially those in Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Minnesota, for their co-operation in the work of circulating the Harold. During the last three or four months our list of subscribers has increased from six hundred to nearly a thousand. We hope the work will not stop here, but that our co-workers will continue to lend us a helping hand, until this work shall have attained a magnitude and strength which will insure its success. It belongs to us to sow the precious seed of truth; the Lord will give the increase.

A. SWEDBERG.