OPPOSITION

For several months I said nothing directly about the immortality question, because the people were greatly prejudiced against this doctrine, while they did not object so much to the Sabbath, at least not in theory. Several persons had begun to keep the Sabbath, but no one had as yet opposed us. Then a small leaflet was scattered all over the city, containing an appeal to the shepherds of Christiania, inquiring if they were blind watchmen or dumb dogs that could not bark, since they said nothing against this new doctrine. Two opposition sermons were now preached by a venerable old priest. He told the people that they need not be alarmed; for that kind of doctrine would never be believed by the multitude, as it involved too great a cross. He also stated that the Sunday-Sabbath was introduced by the church, and was a matter of expediency, and that no stress should be laid on Sunday-keeping.HSFM 64.5

Other persons now began to make a great ado to arouse the prejudice of the people. They said that our views in regard to the prophecies and the Sabbath were not so dangerous, but that we denied the doctrine of eternal torment, teaching the final destruction of the wicked, and this was an awful heresy. Thus it became necessary to introduce the immortality question and discuss it thoroughly.HSFM 64.6

At this time Mr. Isaacsen, a Methodist minister, gave a series of lectures against our views. He had a large hall, and drew crowds of people; but I did not go to hear him, fearing that a debating spirit would be aroused in me, which would hurt the work. He also wrote a series of articles against us in a daily paper, to which I afterward replied in the same paper. Mr. Isaacsen became very personal and abusive in his attacks, and he was therefore invited, in the presence of witnesses, to enter into a public discussion. For some time he would give no answer, but at last a decided refusal came in one of the daily papers.HSFM 65.1

Our work in Christiania was spoken of in all the public papers, and rumored all over the country. The general impression was that we taught some truth and much error, but were so skillful in the use of the Bible that it was useless to try to oppose us. Consequently no one in Norway has ever offered to discuss with me.HSFM 65.2