REPORT FROM A. C. BOURDEAU.
By A. C. BOURDEAU
Since I wrote my report, dated Nov. 17, 1868, my labors have been varied. First, myself and wife visited several families in Enosburgh and vicinity; especially some who lived at a distance, and were deprived of meeting privileges. As we called on Sr. S. Sherman in Fairfield, our hearts were moved with tenderness in view of her deep affliction and distresses. She had a difficulty in her left side, which threatens to end in an abscess, or cancer, and which made it very painful for her to use her lower limb on that side. Her other lower limb was broken in two places, and the ankle had been put out of joint, caused by her having recently been thrown out of a carriage by a runaway horse; and in addition to this, she lived in a house which was being repaired, and was very cold. We unhesitatingly placed her on a bed in our double sleigh, and brought her to our house, where she was made comfortable for five weeks, till her husband had finished their house inside, and dried the plastering. Sr. S. is now with her family, improving slowly. May this sister, while she lives, secure to herself an everlasting habitation in that land where there shall not be “any more pain,” and the inhabitants shall not say, “I am sick.” Nov. 28, we held three meetings with the church at East Richford. I was glad for the courage the brethren there had shown in pledging liberally toward building a house of worship; but regretted to find in some a spirit which would tend to selfishness, strife, and discord. They needed to reform on this point in order to be successful. Since then, I met with them twice, prepared “Articles of Association” for them, &c., and now we have some reason to hope that in the course of the ensuing year they will succeed in building a commodious house of worship—size, 32x45 feet. About $600.00 are already pledged toward this enterprise, which will go a great ways, where timber and lumber is furnished free from charges, except for the drawing and sawing. Dec. 10, we commenced to hold protracted meetings in Enosburgh, which continued till the 20th. We have great reasons for gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the good that has resulted from these meetings; especially in removing trials and difficulties which existed among some, and in reviving, in all those who attended, a spirit of earnestness, and a determination to draw nearer to God, live the whole truth, and dwell together in unity. The 2d day of Jan., thirty-five from Enosburgh accompanied us to Berkshire. Held meetings in a schoolhouse near Bro. Austin's. Bro. Stone was present, and assisted in preaching. We felt to praise God for the freedom the few in B. enjoyed with the brethren and sisters in these meetings. Last Sabbath, I met with the church at home. Had a full meeting, freedom in speaking the word, and in our excellent Bible Class and Sabbath School, which are progressing with increasing interest, weekly. The day following, four of us, including wife and self, went to Montgomery to visit the few friends there. Some of them I had not seen for six years. They are all very poor. The news was soon circulated that we were in the place; they came together in the evening of the same day. I gave them a synopsis of the truth, and of the progress of the cause, freely disposed of all the publications that I had with me—Life Incidents, Thoughts on the Revelation, Spiritual Gifts, and several pamphlets and tracts—for which I did not take in one cent. As we left these friends, wife assisted the needy with a little provision, and a few articles of clothing which she left with them. We are now at Bro. E. Loveland’s, in Johnson. Had a good meeting yesterday with the few in this place. A. C. BOURDEAU.
Johnson, Vt., Jan. 15, 1869.