DENMARK by John G. Matteson

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Michigan · May 5, 1885

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 18

DENMARK

By John G. Matteson

COPENHAGEN.—After I left Örebro, I was in Christiania one week, and held one meeting on the Sabbath, which was well attended. Sunday I went to Drammen, according to the urgent request of Bro. Olsen. He is having a good interest there, and some souls have been gained for the Lord. The priests as well as teachers had attacked us so bitterly in meetings and through the press, that it was thought best to reply. Bro. Olsen obtained a large hall for the purpose. Three times it had been refused, but he went the fourth time and finally got a favorable answer. Five hundred hearers were in attendance. They seemed to receive a good impression, as the Lord blessed our efforts, and one after another of the objections brought against the truth was overthrown. The reply was taken down in shorthand, and will appear in print.

Monday morning I came to Copenhagen. Here I found Bro. Bronson and Bro. Johansen from Christiania. The last-named brother has been canvassing Denmark—a work which on account of stringent laws is very difficult. He has, nevertheless, had some success, and is now working in this city. This is the third week I am here. We have delivered six lectures and held two prayer-meetings. From fifty to three hundred people have attended. We have hired halls, both situated in the center of the city, one which we can use only twice a week and the other three times. One will seat more than one thousand people, the other nearly three hundred. The first we pay about $2 a meeting, for the second 50 cents. Copenhagen is the largest city in the Scandinavian kingdom, and has the liveliest trade. It has 329,000 inhabitants. The people are strongly given to pleasure-seeking, vanity, and gaming. They are also notorious for infidelity. Religious topics have but little attraction for them. Besides this, the government and the people are in opposition, and there is danger of internal [unrest]. Strong divisions of the army are constantly under arms ready to attack the citizens if necessary; cannons are mounted and ready for immediate use, and a man-of-war is stationed near the harbor. We have some large posters printed, but the mayor forbade posting them; so we distribute handbills. The feeling in this country is very unfriendly to all religious efforts outside of the State church.

These circumstances are not favorable to our efforts; but the Lord can work for us, and we trust he will. Bro. Bronson had labored some here before I came. Seven persons have commenced to obey the truth, and two Sabbath-keepers have moved in from the country. Several are quite interested. Pray for us that the Lord may bless our efforts.

April 10. JOHN G. MATTESON,