Report from Bro. A. C. Bourdeau.
By A. C. Bourdeau
It is with a good degree of satisfaction, and gratitude to our heavenly Father, that I look back to the result of the labors that my brother and I performed, under the blessing of God, in Iowa during the past summer. The success that attended our labors, and the victories that were gained in every place in favor of the truth, evinced to us that God heard the prayers which his people presented to the throne of grace in the behalf of the cause in the West. But after that we had become deeply interested in the prosperity of the cause in Iowa, and had labored together with perfect union in that State nearly six months, it was truly with solemnity that we parted at Kidder, Mo., my brother and his companion to continue their labors in Iowa far from home and their relatives, and I to return to Vermont. The tears which were shed on that occasion well indicated the emotions of our hearts toward each other, and the strong attachment and unbounded love that existed between us. If we should never meet in this world, may we meet to live together in the kingdom of God, is my prayer. Nov. 6th, I started from Missouri, and reached Battle Creek, Mich., the 8th. After I had eaten a good hygienic dinner at Bro. U. Smith’s, Eld. Loughborough accompanied me to the Western Health Reform Institute, where I met a cordial reception from the Physicians, and several of my acquaintances who had come from Vermont, and Iowa, to this Institute for the purpose of recovering their health. It was truly cheering to me to see persons there with countenances radiant, and hearts buoyant with hope, fast recovering their health, who previous to their coming there, had for months been looking into the grave, and about whom certain physicians had said that it was a miracle that they were living. During my short stay at the Health Institute I had pleasant interviews with the Managing Physician and assistants; heard Dr. H. S. Lay give two interesting lectures to the invalids on diphtheria—how it is brought on, how it can be prevented, and how it should be treated when taken; was present at one of their seasons of amusements, which had been appointed and was designed especially for the purpose of benefiting healthwise the patients of the Institute; etc., and from what I saw I am fully confident that the Physicians and attendants are putting forth every possible effort for the restoration, comfort, and pleasure of the patients; and they seem to be eminently successful. I would say to those of my readers who are indisposed or sick, physically or mentally, that at the Western Health Reform Institute is the place for you to go and get cured under the blessing of God. And be assured that if you should conclude to go there, you will never feel to regret the time and means that you will spend under that hospitable roof. Sabbath morning, by the request of Dr. Lay, I gave a short talk to the invalids on the affections; then went to the house of worship, and enjoyed a profitable meeting with the church. Elder J. Bates was present and spoke to edification on the subject of Hope. The social meeting was also cheering and encouraging. I was glad to see the progress that was made in building the new Seventh-day Adventist meeting house. It was nearly completed outside, and the work was advancing fast, inside. It is pleasantly located on an excellent site, only a few steps from the Review and Herald office. On Monday, Nov. 12, in company with Bro. A. A. Cross, I started from Battle Creek, and reached home the 15th. I was truly thankful to find myself again in the embrace of my family at our comfortable home, after an absence from them of twenty-eight weeks. During my absence from home I traveled four thousand nine hundred and eighty-two miles, held and attended with my brother and other preachers one hundred and eighty-four meetings, besides collecting means for Review, Instructor, and Health Reformer, selling about $80 worth of our Publications, and writing and visiting quite extensively. While trying to rest, since I came home, I have held twenty-one meetings with the church in this place, re-organized our Bible Class and Sabbath School, and at a meeting held evening after the Sabbath, Dec. 8, we raised our figures on Systematic Benevolence about $72, and nineteen united with the church, eight of whom are youth, and children of Sabbath-keepers, who started in the service of God in this place last winter. The Lord willing, this winter I will hold meetings with the churches and scattered brethren in Vermont and Canada East, as many and as far as duty will permit. A. C. BOURDEAU.
West Edmnsough, Vt., Dec. 20, 1866.