Carl Oscar Johnson’s
Mission Journal – pages 85-90
April 9-22, 1899
(85)
Monday the 10th. I left the city and walked 30 miles to the
village Liden and had a good meeting there the same evening, and there appeared
to be many interested listeners, mostly men, and a good spirit prevailed
although I was very tire after the meeting was over.
The next day I left the village
even though the weather was very bad, and walked to Jerqvisle [Garkvisle] and
had a grand meeting the same evening at [?}Lidbeck, and there was one of the
largest halls that I have preached in, and a good spirit prevailed, and I sol
many books and tracts.
(86)
Later, I talked with the estate’s
owners until after 11 at night.
On the following day I walked in
company with j. Lidberg to Westana and visited several places along the
way. No meeting had been arranged, nevertheless,
many people came together and I had to preach to preach for a time, and we had
much singing and encouragement, and it
was a great pleasure for me to see and be associated with these noble
people. I stayed at the Aslins that
night, and the following day I visited the Larsons and Selander as well as the
Nygrens and immediately after noon I baptized 2 persons and confirmed
them. At night I walked to Westana and
had a meeting at the school and many people were together when we walked, and
many people were also there at the meeting.
I was invited to the Bermans overnight 9page 87) and was [there] until
noon the next day [and]baptized a person who had come 14 ½ (?) miles from the
village of [Liden]. [He has written “2 ¼
miles” which I believe to be American miles which would be a more correct
distance.] At night we had a Testimony
Meeting where everyone was present, and there she who had been baptized that
day was confirmed. Thereafter, 4
children were blessed and [the Branch] organization [was completed], and 3 men
received the Priesthood: Brother Alvar
[Elder], Brother Selander [Priest], Brother Larson [Teacher], and were
installed as the leaders [of the Branch].
Thereafter was the Sacrament Meeting and there was a remarkably good
spirit present.
After the meeting’s conclusion, I
was [asked?]if I would not accept a little gift that the brothers and sisters
had put together for me, and I [promised?] to accept a remembrance which
consisted of 2 silver spoons with engraving.
I felt a great sorrow in separating from these [people] here who have
been so good to me.
(88)
On the following morning I had to
leave very early and Brother Emil Aslin went with me with horse and sled to the
Bispgarden station where I took the train to Fransta and Bracke and Anga. I went and visited brother d. Strand at
Finsta and stayed there overnight. The
wife, Sister Strand, was very sick and with hardly any hope for improvement,
and she asked that I would anoint [and bless] her and leave her in the hands of
the Lord, which I did. Brother Strand
now, as before, showed me much love and good will.
Sunday the 16th. I left Br. Stand and took the train from
Fransta to Sundsvall and arrived home between 1-2 p.m. I received some letters and was happy for
that. At 5 p.m. we had a good meeting
where many listened with intent attention.
(89)
After the meeting we were invited
to Hoglunds for the evening and we were there for quite a long time. The following day was set aside as a farewell
celebration for me and the other brethren which [lodge?] at Sister Engborg and
who are very nice and who will remain in my memory.
Tuesday the 18th. I left Sundsvall in company with Brother
Anderson and walked 25 miles and stayed at [name not legible] Inn overnight and
the next day we walked [illegible] to Hogen Bergsjo, and there we had a meeting
the same evening and I used the time to speak to those assembled. The next day we traveled by train to
Judiksvall and were warmly welcomed by the brothers and sisters there, and had
a meeting that afternoon at 7:>30 p.m. at Mr. Johnson who had previously
offered a room for my many meetings.
(90)
We stayed over the next day and
held another meeting at the same place and those present were very interested
and welcomed us back again if we wished.
Saturday the 22ND. We left Hudiksvall at 5:10 a.m., I with
Upsala as my goal, and brother Soderstram, with whom I was in company, to
Kilafors and s [after that] we were alone.
I came to Upsala a little after 4 p.m. and as usual, I went to
Svarbacksgatan 35 and was welcomed there.
(End of this portion
of Elder Johnson’s diary)
It is unfortunate that Elder
Johnson generally did not name in the body of his diary those who were
baptized. He did list their names in the
back of the diary, but not necessarily in the order of their baptism, nor did
he specify the individual baptismal dates.
Some names can be attached to particular dates by referencing family
records, but I do not have all the necessary records at hand.
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