Untitled article by A. C. Bourdeau; N. Orcutt

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Third-day, March 3, 1868

FromReview and Herald, Vol. XXXI, No. 12

LABORS IN SOUTHERN VERMONT.

By A. C. Bourdeau; N. Orcutt

On Wednesday, Jan. 29, we reached the residence of Mr. H. Everts in Waltham, where we were cordially entertained, and enjoyed a pleasant visit. These friends seemed especially near to us on account of the happy and friendly acquaintance that Mrs. B. and we had formed with sister Everts for a few years in the past.

We spent two days in visiting a few families in Weybridge and Bristol, and on Sabbath, Feb. 1, held two meetings in the house of Bro. A. Prescott. In both meetings we dwelt quite at length, and with good freedom, on holding fast the profession of our faith. Text, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for he is faithful that promised; and let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works:” etc. Heb. x, 23–25. In the social meeting which followed, we were happy to hear all the brethren and sisters present endorse the truth spoken. Some remarked with much earnestness, “We have never heard on this wise before.” We think that some in this place have learned from past experience that it is better to stick by the old, tried friends of the cause, than to follow after novices, and fault-finders, who have repeatedly made shipwreck of their faith.

On Sunday we held two meetings in a school-house, which is also used for a meeting-house. Several of the neighbors came in, and gave good attention to the word spoken. At this meeting sixty dollars were pledged on Systematic Benevolence, five dollars on Book and Tract Fund, and two subscribed for the Reformer.

From Bristol we traveled seventy-two miles, and on Wednesday, Feb. 5, met with the few at Andover. We both enjoyed usual freedom in preaching. At the close of the afternoon meeting we gave liberty to the brethren and friends to give in their testimonies. The Lord met with us by his Spirit, and nearly all the outsiders present testified in favor of the truths that they had heard. During our stay here we found a pleasant home at Bro. R. Pierce’s residence. Bro. and Sr. P. have ever proved themselves to be true to the cause they love; and it seems that way-worn pilgrims always feel encouraged, and are made the better for having had an interview with these liberal souls under their hospitable roof. They both suffer in consequence of ill health. We hope that they will make it convenient, as soon as possible, to spend a few months at the Health Institute.

At Jamaica we held fourteen meetings, commencing Sabbath, Feb. 8, and continuing till Sunday afternoon, Feb. 16. The brethren and sisters in the place spared no pains in attending these meetings, and quite a number of those from without manifested an increasing interest in the meetings till the close. We have reason to believe that some will decide to keep all the commandments as the result of some of the efforts that we made in Jamaica. In connection with our arduous labors in this place we visited quite extensively, made a special effort for backsliders and the young, and Sabbath, the 15th, baptized seven. Besides these, four united with the church, one of whom was a reclaimed backslider. Two of those that were baptized were young converts, who also were received into the church. Others made a start in these meetings, and it is expected that several will yet go forward in the ordinance of baptism.

This church have become so numerous that they cannot easily hold their meetings in a private house. When we came among them they felt desirous to build a house of worship for their benefit; but they were not agreed as to the location. The brethren live in two settlements nearly three miles apart, and some wanted to have the house built in one settlement and others in the other. A brother had sold his farm and was hoping that we could direct him to a farm, perhaps, among a large church in Northern Vermont. But we soon convinced him that the church in Jamaica needed his help, and advised him to buy a farm in a central place where a house of worship could be built to accommodate all the brethren. Our horses were made ready, this brother got into our sleigh, and we went to see about his buying what was said to be the best farm in the neighborhood, which was also in a central place. The purchase afterward was made, and measures taken towards erecting a meeting-house, which evinced to all present, that God had set his hand to the work, and that a great victory was gained. To God be all the praise.

A. C. BOURDEAU, N. ORCUTT.

Braintree, Vt., Feb. 1868.