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A SKETCH OF LABORS

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 5, 1869

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 34, No. 15.

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A SKETCH OF LABORS.

By A. C. Bourdeau

THE following is a sketch of my labors during the past few weeks, which I glean from my diary for the REVIEW.
On Tuesday, June 15, 1869, myself and wife drove twenty miles to E. Richford, Vt. The next day I measured and assisted in preparing the ground upon which to erect a house of worship, and till the next Sabbath hauled stones with my team for the foundation of the house. While I was thus working, the 17th, at 5 P. M., by an urgent request of the friends, I hitched up my team, went to a school-house, and preached to attentive hearers, in lieu of Eld. Reynold, an Adventist, who failed of being present as he had appointed.
Sabbath, the 19th, held two meetings with the church. Was glad to see five of the friends from Montgomery at these meetings. The next Tuesday the meeting-house frame was raised. Size 32x48, with 18 feet posts.
At this point I received an urgent invitation from Bro. M. E. Cornell to go and follow up the interest in Addison, Vt. Bro. N. Orcutt and myself reached Addison, June 25. The following Sabbath and first-day we held four preaching meetings in the Advent chapel. The presence of Bro. Dr. H. S. Lay, and of the few friends of the cause from Bristol, Waltham, and Weybridge, added much to the interest of these meetings. Sunday evening Dr. Lay gave a cheering talk on health, from a physiological standpoint, in the chapel, which could not fail to meet the approval of those who are disposed to appreciate good principles.
June 28, leaving Bro. Orcutt to visit families in A., and vicinity, I accompanied Dr. Lay to Enosburg, where, on Tuesday evening, a large concourse of brethren and sisters and friends were favored with the privilege of hearing a talk on health, by Dr. L., after which one hour was spent in asking the doctor questions on several points, relative to living the principles of health reform, which he answered deliberately, to the satisfaction of all present. Then the friends on the ground promptly raised means to defray our expenses in coming from, and going to, Addison, and something more for Dr. Lay.
July 2, while Dr. L. and I were returning to Addison on the cars, we had an interview with Eld. D. T. Taylor for the first time, who gave us the sad intelligence that Bro. C. O. Taylor in Adams Center, N. Y., was sick nigh unto death. The doctor at once decided to go right on to see the afflicted brother. Later intelligence represents that Bro. Taylor is better. We continued over Sabbath and first-day at A.; attended three meetings held by Eld. D. T. Taylor; held two meetings; and attended a meeting by Bro. A. S. Hutchins at Weybridge. And we were sorry to find that the inhabitants in A., even the nominal Adventists, are much glued to the world, insomuch that only a few can spare time to attend even their own meetings. God pity such. And may those who have learned better things hold fast the profession of their faith to the end, that that day may not come upon them unawares. Luke xxi, 34.
From July 10 to Aug. 1, I worked a few days at haying on my farm; had interesting meetings with the church at home. Held a two days' meeting with Bro. Orcutt on the west hill in Montgomery, and held an important correspondence by letter, on the truth, with Mr. Joseph Jiguere, a French Canadian, of Grand Ligne, P. Q., who, nineteen years ago, introduced me in the Grand Ligne Mission Institute.
Aug. 2, Mr. Jiguere came here to spend a few weeks with me to learn more about our views; and brought me an interesting letter from Eld. Hubert Tetran, a French Baptist of Grand Ligne Mission, who formerly was a Roman Catholic priest, but who, for twenty-three years, has advocated and adhered to the Protestant religion. I so admired the spirit with which his letter was written that I decided, at once, to invite him to come and make us a visit of several days; and promised that I would pay his fare on the cars both ways.
Aug. 13, I brought Bro. Tetran from St. Albans to my house, since which time I have given him and Bro. Jiguere lectures in French, on the truth, from three to six hours per day; and I am happy to say that these brethren are now keeping the Sabbath, and are fully decided to go with this people to Mount Zion. Sr. Jiguere, in Canada, is also convinced that we have the truth, and doubtless has, ere this, taken a decided stand with us on the Sabbath question. Brn. Tetran and Jiguere design to attend the New England Camp-meeting with us, at South Lancaster, Mass., next week.
Brethren, pray that God's blessing may continue to succeed our labors among the French.
A. C. BOURDEAU.
Bordoville, Vt., Sept. 4, 1869.