French Switzerland by John Vuilleumier

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 4, 1902

French Switzerland

By John Vuilleumier

GENEVA AND LAUSANNE.—After camp meeting was over, we were successful in securing a lot free of charge on which to pitch our large tent and two small ones. This location was somewhat distant from the first one, and our audiences were not very large, though a good interest was manifested. One young man accepted the truth, giving up a position as tax collector. The newspaper references to the camp meeting were very kind indeed, with the exception, of course, of the Roman Catholic organ in Geneva. One daily paper published several articles presenting our positions on the law, the Sabbath, and the fate of the wicked. A good impression was made on the minds of the people. It seemed rather interesting to see our posters in the streets of the city of Calvin, even opposite the famous cathedral, with the printed subjects,—“The Closing Message,” “Which Day Is the Sabbath?” etc.

Here is where Merle d’Aubigné wrote his history of the Reformation, and, with Gaussen, established a theological school in which the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, could be taught as the word of God, and in which Gaussen taught the fulfillment of prophecies and the soon coming of Christ, with great power. At the present, in the same school, none of these points of faith are taught nor believed. Brother Tièche is the permanent worker here, and is having good success.

In Lausanne some of the French reformers who fled there for refuge, established a workers’ school, from which many young preachers and canvassers went to France, and never returned. Here is where, fifty-five years ago, a revival was going on, notwithstanding great opposition and persecution from the government and the state church. Alexander Vinet, then professor of French literature in Basel, having written for a Lausanne paper an article in favor of religious liberty, was summoned by the state attorney to appear at Lausanne. His defense and other writings have since become, throughout Europe, standard works on the question of church and state and religious liberty. A fine marble statue was erected to his memory two years ago in Lausanne.

And yet his principles are not followed. A Sunday law voted last year by the canton de Vaud legislature, which meets in Lausanne, was submitted, by request of fourteen thousand petitioners, to the ratification of the people. A rousing campaign was immediately started by the Sunday-law advocates, consisting of deputies and lawyers. The ministers of the various churches kept out of it, and worked in the dark, for fear that the law should be called religious. Scores of lectures were given throughout the canton, challenging opposers to take the floor at the close. The whole press kept up a continuous fire in favor of the movement. The opposers of the law had no public meetings, no papers; they published a few articles and scattered posters. At this juncture, accompanied by Brother Provin, I gave half a dozen lectures against the law in as many cities, in which halls were given us for that purpose. In Le Sentier, two ministers took the floor after I had finished speaking. They admitted that my arguments were sound, and invited us to give them more light. They have now offered us a hall. A special edition of Les Signes was also published and scattered. On the 28th of September the law was rejected by the people by a majority of five hundred and ninety, the number voting being about thirty-eight thousand. The church and government people were amazed and stunned. But they are even now arousing and preparing for another fight.

The same Sunday-law movement is on just now in the Neuchâtel and Geneva cantons. We are preparing to canvass these regions with publications suited for the purpose. Now is a good time to work in French Switzerland. But some of our best workers have gone to France. May God bring in fresh help from those who as yet have not recognized the truth.

JOHN VUILLEUMIER.

Onnens, Vaud.