The Cause in Iowa by D. T. Bourdeau

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 5, 1867

The Cause in Iowa.

By D. T. Bourdeau

AGREEABLY to previous appointments, we have held meetings at Waukon and West Union since our meeting at Waterloo. We stopped at Waukon over two Sabbaths and first days, held eight meetings with the church, besides attending a prayer and social meeting. Gave six discourses, and had a good time attending to the ordinances.

As the result of our efforts in this place, one backslider was reclaimed, one united with the church, the brethren and sisters generally, were revived in the message, six subscribed for the Health Reformer, and one took stock in the Health Institution. It was remarkable to see how the cloud removed from the church and light and freedom broke in upon them, as they acknowledged the Health Reform as a part of the message, and decided to adopt it and carry it out more fully. This experience, which has been so often repeated in connection with our labors, is additional evidence that God wants us to consider the subject of health at this stage of the message, and that we must make the Health Reform a point in our experience. It is with us in this respect as it was when Systematic Benevolence and organization came up. We were shut up to these subjects until we took a proper stand with reference to them; and then light broke in upon us, and we felt that God had mercifully led us, and that we could not get along without the truth in relation to these subjects. So it will be when we shall have come up to these truths on the Health Reform.

But we must enlighten our minds on this subject, and not act as though we knew it all, when we have not fully learned its first principles. Those who know but little about this subject are sometimes apt to lead out against those who have made it their study for years; while those who know the most about it, think that they know but little in comparison with what they should know. The subject is so vast, that they get overwhelmed in its contemplation, and see that there is still much for them to learn.

And how adapted the Health Reformer is to meet our wants here, to instruct us on this grand theme, and remind us of our duty. It should be received into every family of Sabbath-keepers, that the brethren and sisters may post up on health, and save preachers the unpleasant task of teaching them what they should learn by reading.

Brethren and sisters, shall we make this duty a matter of conscience? Unless we do we shall be backward. We cannot be said to make a sacrifice in taking the Reformer at one dollar per year. We are a thousand times repaid, by being led in the way of health and life. And we should manifest our pity and benevolence for suffering humanity by making it a point to introduce the Reformer to those who do not take it, whether they are believers or not; for health is a blessing that all need and have an interest in. If there is a blessedness realized in making others happy, we should not be negligent in attending to this duty. And thank God, there is a general coming up on this subject among us, and that the cause of Health Reform is prospering beyond our most sanguine expectations.

While at Waukon, we could not visit much, as our time between the meetings was employed in writing for the Review, at Bro. Geo. I. Butler's, where we were treated with all the kindness that we could desire, as pilgrims and strangers on this earth. As Bro. and sister Butler were formerly from Vermont, our native State, we could easily imagine ourselves at home, and in the enjoyments of by-gone days, among parents, other relatives, and dear friends. And though this afforded us pleasure, we knew it to be partly imaginary, and looked forward beyond our toils to our happy meeting in our eternal home.

At West Union, our meetings were good. We spoke three times with freedom; had a good social meeting in which forty-two spoke in about thirty minutes; held a business meeting in which four were added to the church, three subscribed for the Reformer, and four shares were pledged for the Health Institution. The following resolution was also adopted by the church:

Resolved, That the church clerk be instructed to remind those who have received letters of commendation, but have not joined sister churches, that, agreeably to an action taken at the last session of the General Conference, they still belong to this church, and that they, as well as those who have not received letters of commendation and live at a distance, be requested to report themselves to the church once in three months. These were also invited to renew their pledges on Systematic Benevolence.

We have traveled some two hundred miles by private conveyance since we left Waterloo. We have now labored with all the churches in the State, and have had opportunity to canvass the field and learn where labor can be bestowed in new fields to advantage. I truly realize that the fields are white and ready to harvest, and that there will yet be a richer harvest of souls in Iowa than has yet been seen. God send more faithful laborers into his vineyard. I see not why efforts could not be made to advantage in new fields next summer and onward.

D. T. BOURDEAU.

Anamosa, Iowa, Jan. 25, 1867.