REPORT FROM IOWA by D. T. BOURDEAU

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 8, 1867

REPORT FROM IOWA.

By D. T. BOURDEAU

Owing to a bad cold that we had taken before reaching our winter clothing and buffalo robe sent to us from Vermont (but from which we have now recovered); and owing to weariness caused by past arduous labors, and to a sudden change in the weather from warm to cold, connected with rough and almost impassable roads, we deemed it proper to rest, and not fill our appointment for Marion, Sabbath, Dec. 15. We spent this Sabbath with the church at Pilot Grove, who have enjoyed the benefits of all the large gatherings in the State for years, and are trying to come up on every point in the message, and labored especially for the young, about twenty of whom spoke in the social meeting, expressing a desire to be Christians, to obey their parents, and go with them to the kingdom.

We were happy to learn that about ten of these children had started out in the good way during our absence, under the care and instruction of their parents and teachers, and under the faithful labors of their elder, Bro. H. Nicola. It is a mistaken idea, that the work of converting children rests only on the preacher. Others have a work to do that the preacher cannot do, and we rejoice to see them engage in this important work. We bid them God speed, and would rejoice with them in seeing the fruits of their labors.

We were deeply interested in seeing two little boys of about four or five years old, manifest a lively interest in, and an appreciation of, our remarks to the young. At the close of our meeting one of these little boys was seen weeping; and upon inquiring, it was ascertained that he had tried to speak two or three times, but had failed. We tried to comfort the little fellow, by saying that he would have a chance to speak at the next meeting.

There is danger of neglecting the work for the young, under the erroneous impression that they are not old enough to understand. They should be labored for even before they have reached the years of understanding. Do people wait until their cattle and horses can comprehend like human beings before breaking and teaching them? No; they work upon their instincts, and mould their habits. Yet many do not do as much as this for their children. Poor, deceived parents, God open their eyes, that they may see the sinfulness of this awful neglect. Impressions received, and habits formed in infancy, are lasting; and how important it is to then bend the mind and habits in the right direction. Napoleon Bonaparte might have been a modern Paul, as well as a blood-thirsting and ambitious warrior, if he had received a proper, early training. But his mind was led in a military direction in his early life, even when he was among his young schoolmates; and the records of eternity will tell the amount of blood that he is responsible for.

God loves children because they have not sinned so much as older persons, and have not so many bad habits to overcome. They are not so hardened by sin, and are more susceptible to religious impressions. They can learn the ways of sin as well as the ways of righteousness, and unless especial pains are taken to instruct and lead them in the right way, Satan has baits prepared for their active minds, and snares with which to take them. God help his people to awake to this important duty, in harmony with the following injunction in Joel, applying, as we understand, to the present time: “Assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts.” Joel ii, 16. “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are far off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts ii, 39.

D. T. BOURDEAU.

Laporte City, Iowa, Dec. 25, 1866.