REPORT FROM BRO. BOURDEAU.
By A. C. Bourdeau
DURING the past three months, I have held several meetings, at three different times, with the church at East Richford, Vt. The assistance of Bros. N. Orcutt and L. Bean in some of these meetings was appreciated. It seemed for awhile that the enemy had rallied his forces to hinder the progress of the work of the Lord in their midst; but I am happy to report a better state of things among them at present. Yet this dear people need to watch much, and to cultivate more and more a spirit of union, and “brotherly love” toward each other, and for the erring. The rest of my time I have spent with the church at home. We have had a close, searching time among the brethren and sisters in Enosburgh. In a large church like the one in this place, “the wisdom that is from above” is greatly needed to keep all the members in a healthy condition spiritually, where life and activity will be manifest in all, old and young, that they “may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.” Eph. iv, 15. How cheering it is to the preacher when he has the assurance that the church to which he belongs is in a prospering condition. As he goes out to labor among other churches, or in new fields to raise up believers, he is glad that he can bring a good report with him about his brethren at home, that they are staying up his hands, and that none of them are backsliding from God while he is away, engaged in winning souls to Christ. Under such circumstances, the preacher, called of God to this work, is enabled by the blessing of the Lord to labor successfully for the salvation of souls. But under circumstances opposite to these, how cheerless and sad a preacher feels! This is an important point, which is worthy of our candid attention, and serious consideration. O brethren, let us awake! Bordoville, Vt., June 2, 1869.