Untitled article by A. C. BOURDEAU

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · September 3, 1867

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 12

THE CAUSE IN VERMONT.

By A. C. BOURDEAU

JULY 5th, we went to Johnson, and Sabbath, the 6th, held an interesting meeting at the residence of Bro. R. Loveland. Five teams of brethren and sisters from Enosburgh accompanied us to this place, having in view, not to find a larger assembly, or to enjoy a better time than if they had met with the church at home; but to encourage and strengthen the scattered few in Johnson and vicinity, by their presence and with words of good cheer. In this our object was fully met.

At the close of the afternoon meeting, four arose and expressed their desire to identify themselves more fully with God’s people, of whom were Bro. and sister Loveland’s granddaughter, and their son, the only one who remains alive of their dear children. It is expected that they will soon go forward in baptism, and unite with the church.

July 12 and 13, we met with the church at Wolcott. Sabbath I preached twice from Phil. i, 9–11, and Isa. i, 16–20. Then several cheering testimonies were given in quick succession; and at half past 5 P. M., we enjoyed an excellent season with the church in washing the saints’ feet, and in partaking of the bread and wine in memory of the suffering and death of our Lord.

Sunday, at half past ten A. M., quite a large number of the most candid and intelligent class in the community, besides the brethren and sisters, came to hear a sermon on Baptism, agreeably to the announcement which had been made the day before. I enjoyed freedom in preaching, after which we repaired to the water-side a short distance from the house of worship, where I immersed a young brother who during the meetings had been received as a member in the Wolcott church.

Thursday, the 18th, as we left the residence of Bro. Fife in Elmore, we noticed a tent at a short distance from the road which was being erected for meetings of several days to be held by Eld. Josiah Litch and son. Here we were led to think of the prominent position that Eld. L. occupied in the great Advent movement just prior to and at the close of the twenty three hundred days of Dan. viii, 14, in A. D. 1844. And while we felt to respect him and others who were pioneers in the Advent movement at that time, we also felt to desire that they might now entertain as correct views on the leading prophetic periods as they did then, and thus hold fast the profession of their faith, and be as zealously engaged in proclaiming the third angel’s message of Rev. xiv, and the truths connected with it, as they were then in proclaiming the first and second angel’s messages.

July 20 and 21, we held four meetings at the residence of Bro. E. Colby. The brethren and sisters from Irasburgh and the towns adjoining spared no pains in attending these meetings. Some remarked that there had not been so large a gathering of Sabbath-keepers in that place before for more than eight years.

These meetings were truly interesting, and profitable, and the dear saints were encouraged.

On the first-day I spoke on the subject of health. Some of the neighbors were present. A brother remarked that he did not know that one half so much could be said on health. An outsider stated candidly that he had never heard such a sermon in his life. This he said on account of the consistency of the views that were presented relative to the laws of our being.

On Wednesday, the 24th, met with the few at Sutton. We were really pleased in seeing the interest that the brethren and sisters manifested in coming to the meeting. Though a heavy shower was just upon us and the brethren had considerable hay out ready to draw into the barns; yet they cheerfully left their work to attend the meeting.

A Freewill Baptist friend who was present afterward presented my wife some means as a token of gratitude for the practical instruction that she received at this meeting.

A. C. BOURDEAU. West Enosburgh, Vt.