MEETINGS IN VERMONT by A. C. BOURDEAU

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 9, 1867

MEETINGS IN VERMONT.

By A. C. BOURDEAU

My last report closed with the meetings held Feb. 9 and 10, at Irasburgh, Vt. During our stay in this place we were comfortably entertained at the pleasant home of Bro. H. W. Barrows. The sleighing was poor, caused by a severe thaw; yet we were thankful that we had a good team to take us to our next place of appointment. Feb. 16 and 17, we met with the church at Sutton.

Although it rained hard, Sabbath morning several had courage to turn out in the storm to attend the meeting. But while they felt amply paid for the pains they had taken, the absence of their elder from the meeting caused them to feel sorrowful. We unanimously decided to meet at his place the day following. Here we dwelt largely upon organization and Systematic Benevolence, after which eleven raised their figures on S. B., from $17,68 to $40,08, and $6,75 were donated to the Publishing Association. As I exhorted the brethren and sisters to be punctual in assembling themselves together, I was reminded of the course that the brethren in E. pursued about a year ago, which I will here relate:

Difficulties among some threatened to ruin precious souls. We had tried to bring reconciliation among the parties concerned, but to no effect. Finally we arranged to have several prayer and social meetings with the church each week, hoping that would lead us to strive for a deep and genuine work of grace in the heart, and help us to more successfully defeat the enemy. In this the Lord enabled us to be eminently successful. But as the meetings progressed and became more and more interesting, we noticed that some families did not attend, and thus were depriving themselves of privileges which might be of lasting benefit to them if they enjoyed them.

One brother lived too far from the meeting house, and could not come. But we gave the word to the brethren to go and hold an evening meeting at his house; and as they drove up to his door, one team after another, his heart was filled with joy! He quickly found room for the teams in his barns, and opened his doors to receive the brethren and sisters; and the result was that he and his family were encouraged to attend the prayer meetings, and were greatly revived in the good work and strengthened in the faith.

Another brother and his wife who had been in the truth only a few months, did not feel well enough to

attend evening meetings. We had also an evening meeting at their house. After that they were the first that drove up to the house of prayer, at every meeting. Their two daughters attended with them; and under the melting influences of the Spirit, it was not long before they decided to serve the Lord with their parents, and with several of their young friends who embraced religion during these meetings.

On our way from Sutton to North Troy, Feb. 19, we had a pleasant visit at Bro. N. Orcutt’s, in South Troy. Bro. O. has sold his farm, and, with his wife, intends to spend a few months at the Health Institute for the purpose of recovering their health; after which he purposes to devote more of his time in laboring in the cause as the way may open. They took eight shares in the Institute, and donated $5,00 to the Association.

Owing to bad roads the meeting was small at North Troy.

On Sabbath and first-day, Feb. 23 and 24, we held meetings with the church at East Richford. A goodly number of brethren and sisters from North Troy and Berkshire, Vt., and North Sutton, C. E. attended these meetings. Bro. A. Stone was present and assisted in preaching. The Lord gave liberty in speaking on the Health Reform. We trust that this church will be encouraged to advance in the good way under the labors of Bro. Stone, who now resides in their midst.

Wednesday evening, the 27th, I gave a discourse in a school house near Bro. N. Austin’s in Berkshire. The few Sabbath-keepers in this place are trying to hold on to the truth whereunto they have attained.

Sabbath, March 2, we were happy to meet with the brethren and sisters at home. The battle goes well in Enosburgh. We feel of good courage and strong in the faith.

On Tuesday evening, March 5, we attended a prayer and social meeting in the S. D. A. meeting-house with the church at home. I spoke about forty minutes on the advances which God’s people are making, and the obligations that we are under at the present time to place ourselves and our means upon the altar, where the Lord can use us in his service and the means that he has lent us in his cause, according to his own good pleasure; that at his appearing, when all earthly treasures shall fail us, we may have laid up treasures in Heaven, and be accepted with the pure and holy “in everlasting habitations;” and thus not be found of that class to whom it shall be said, “Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted,” etc. James v, 1–4.

These principles were endorsed by the brethren and sisters in their testimonies. We felt truly thankful, and the dear saints seemed very near to us, while they expressed with tears the deep emotions of their hearts and their sympathies for the servants of God who have to sacrifice comfortable homes, and the society of loved ones, to go out and labor in the wide harvest field. This meeting was truly interesting, and a time long to be remembered by the church.

On Thursday, the 7th, in company with Bro. M. Gould and M. N. Cross and their wives, we started in a heavy snow storm, for Wolcott, Vt., where we arrived in season to commence our meetings the next day at 11 o’clock, A. M. The meeting, which lasted three days, commenced and progressed with increasing interest to the close. I gave five discourses, held two conference meetings, and one business meeting.

At the business meeting, I had the opportunity of making statements for the purpose of clearing away objections and erroneous ideas that existed in the minds of some, relative to the W. H. R. Institute. I also made some remarks on Systematic Benevolence, examined the standing of the church, and we appointed a S. B. treasurer. Then eleven shares were taken in the Institute, $4.25 donated to the Association, and the figures on S. B. were raised nearly $23.00 higher than they were before.

There is indeed a coming up on the subject of Systematic Benevolence in this State, which shows the love and appreciation of the truth that exists in the hearts of God’s children; for the more we love and appreciate the truth, the more we are willing to sacrifice for the advancement of the cause of truth. It is true that we are invited to come, and “buy . . . . without money and without price.” But this has reference to the plan which has been established for human redemption. Nothing short of our availing ourselves of the merits of Christ’s blood can save us from the effects of transgression, and freely secure unto us the joys of an endless life in the Paradise of God. But aside from this free grace that is granted unto us, there are duties incumbent upon us, some of which relate to the use we should make of our means in the cause.

Systematic Benevolence as it is adopted by our people works well, and can be compared to a main spring in a machine. With this plan we need not go outside of the cause to get propelling power. The cause has propelling power in itself. Or, in other words, it is not necessary for us to solicit means from those without to help sustain the cause. There is means in the church. The cause can support itself. Thank God for such a plan, and for the disposition that he has given his people to carry it out.

But the Lord deals very closely with us upon this subject. We have repeatedly seen in our experience that those who put in their property at its full value are blessed. While those who do not come up to the figures generally adopted on all what they are worth, usually fail of being prospered. Their means are often cut down to their figures. For instance, I know a brother who six years ago was worth only $700.00. Since the plan of Systematic Benevolence has been adopted by our churches, he had always chosen to give in his figures in full, including both real estate and personal property. He has been prospered so that his property is now put in at $2300.00. Another brother once put in his property at half its value. Afterward a circumstance occurred which caused him to lose $150.00. This could have been avoided by using proper means previous to its occurrence without any trouble. He became convinced that he had failed in withholding from the Lord what belonged to him, and doubled his figures at once on S. B.; and also donated some means in a benevolent enterprise.

Bro. White’s remarks on Systematic Benevolence in his reports were timely. Doubtless they have led many to consider the subject more closely, and good results are following.

Says the wise man, “The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.” Prov. xi, 25.

While I held meetings at Wolcott, we were cordially entertained by Bro. and sister Hutchins at their pleasant and comfortable home. Bro. H. has poor health and needs to be careful and avoid all over-exertion.

A. C. BOURDEAU. Andover, Vt., March 24, 1867.