The Baptists in Sweden. By Mrs. M.F. Anderson ...

REV. F. O. NILSSON. 63
minister the ordinance. He therefore went to
Hamburg in July, 1847.
After some weeks spent in studying the doctrines,
articles of faith, and constitution of the Baptist
Church in that city, he offered himself as a candidate for baptism. On the 1st of August in that
year, he was baptized by Rev. J. G. Oncken, in the
river Elbe.
The question now arose, Should he and his wife
(who had shared in his conflicts and had arrived at
the same conviction as he had) seek in America a
home where, unmolested, they might worship God
according to the dictates of their conscience, —or
should they remain in Sweden, and among their
countrymen and former friends bear witness to the
truth? They sought guidance from God in earnest
prayer, and finally determined to remain in Sweden
and confess the truth, whatever might be the consequences to themselves.
INilsson was fully aware how Baptist, or Anabaptist views (as they termed them) would be regarded by his countrymen, and even by his former
Christian friends; but trusting in God he went onward. He met, as he had expected, with much
opposition. His views of the truth as regarded
baptism were met by some with horror, and many
whom he regarded as his spiritual children withdrew from him entirely. This was a sore trial.
Some, however, were convinced, as he had been, of