Untitled article by D. T. Bourdeau

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, October 15, 1867

FromThe Advent Review & Sabbath Herald, Vol. XXX, No. 18

LEAVING IOWA.

By D. T. Bourdeau

We leave this State to-morrow after remaining in it upward of one year and four months, during which time we have enjoyed the favor of the Lord in laboring in his vineyard, and formed many happy acquaintances. We have had enough to do, but have been encouraged in seeing our labors appreciated, and in seeing much of the seed that we have sown spring up, thrive, and bear fruit to the glory of God. To him be all the praise.

At our last Convocation Meeting, my soul was refreshed in seeing the large gathering of Sabbath-keepers from different parts of the State, and in enjoying the presence and labors of our beloved Bro. and sister White, and Brn. Smith and Aldrich. It is indeed cheering to see Bro. and sister White standing in the light of Heaven, and earnestly engaging in the important work the Lord has assigned them. Their testimony is appreciated. Bro. White is not only coming up in health, but his preaching is characterized with even more than usual clearness, simplicity, power and experience, for which we would be truly grateful to our Heavenly Father. May Bro. and sister White still prove a blessing to the cause, and may we as a people ever stand by them and stay up their hands in their arduous work.

Our Convocation Meeting was excellent—just such a meeting as we love to attend, and as most conduces to the prosperity of the cause in Iowa. Its commencement was characterized with a solemn spirit of self-examination, and as each one endeavored to make an individual application of the truths spoken, and to take a step in advance by confessing the truth, and resolving to move forward in developing a Christian character, the sweet and gentle movings of the Spirit of God were gradually realized by those engaging in the work. This is the proper order: First, let the mind be enlightened in regard to our duty and condition; and then as we move out in harmony with the light given, and resolve to reform, we can reasonably expect the approving blessings of God's Spirit. If we were greatly blessed in our sins, we would feel no special need of reforming. The first office of the Spirit of God is to convince of sin, and we ought to feel just as grateful for a knowledge of our sins, that we may overcome them, as for an approving blessing, because we have forsaken our sins. The greatest blessing that we can have at certain stages of our Christian experience, is a knowledge of our defects that we may overcome them. But our good Convocation season is past. Those who enjoyed it have returned to their homes. The time has now come for them to carry out their resolutions, to watch unto prayer, and guard against the spirit and influence of the world. Those only who do this, will improve upon the privileges enjoyed at the Convocation. Since the Convocation Meeting, we have enjoyed a continual feast in the society of Bro. and sister White, Bro. Smith and others, and have improved in physical, mental, and spiritual health, as we have been relieved from the pressure of responsibilities which have for some time been upon us. We thank God for the strength and grace we have had while in Iowa, and as we return to Vermont to rest awhile, we would say to the dear brethren and sisters in Iowa, You will not be forgotten by us. All your favors will be remembered. You will often be called up in our imaginations, and will live in our affections, and be remembered in our prayers. Pray for us, and may we meet in the kingdom of God. In the meanwhile, farewell.

D. T. BOURDEAU.

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Oct. 7, 1867.

P. S. Until further notice, my P. O. address will be West Enosburgh, Vermont.

October 9, at Battle Creek. We reached this place yesterday afternoon, in company with Bro. and sister White, Bro. Smith, Aldrich and R. M. Kilgore, somewhat weary, but in good spirits, having enjoyed a most pleasant and prosperous journey. Never have we enjoyed ourselves better every way than we have for the past two weeks. The society that we have been in has contributed much to our happiness. It is the first time we have had an opportunity of devoting a portion of time almost exclusively to visiting with Bro. and sister White, for a long while. It has been a sweet repast to us. Praise the Lord for sweet union in this life, and the solid comfort it affords. If such is the blessedness resulting from pure, brotherly love here, what happiness will we not realize in the world to come.

Our pleasant surroundings have had a tendency to make our parting scenes in Iowa more endurable; yet it was difficult to leave Iowa. There is no place in this world that has more attractions to us as a field of labor, than Iowa. Here we have freely spent precious strength, and God's rich blessings have surrounded us; and here too we have true friends, who have faithfully stood by us and held up our hands in our labors. God bless these true friends of the cause; and may his prosperous hand attend our dearly-beloved fellow-laborer, Bro. Geo. I. Butler, and make him a blessing to his people and cause in Iowa.

D. T. BOURDEAU.