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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 19, 1872

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 39, No. 14.

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Vermont.

By A. C. Bourdeau

SINCE my return from Battle Creek, Mich., the second week in January, ult., I have been greatly encouraged to continue on laboring, and doing what I can, by the assisting grace of God, for the furtherance of the cause of present truth.
The second Sabbath in January, I met with the church at home. We had a large attendance, and the brethren and sisters were deeply interested and cheered while we dwelt on the progress of the cause, and gave a brief statement of the doings of the recent session of the General Conference and the annual meeting of the Publishing Association. We also spoke of the conveniences we have to print our publications, the large numbers of books, pamphlets, and tracts on hand, our resources to publish more works, the advance steps that are being taken by our people as manifest in the creation of Missionary and Tract Societies; and especially of the fact that favorable openings for the spreading of the truth are rapidly increasing. The hearts of thousands all over the land are opened to receive the truth, and the Macedonian cry is heard from every part of the harvest-field, “Come over and help us.” “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.” Matt. 9:37, 38.
Jan. 17, I started to go and fill an appointment to hold meetings the next Sabbath and first-day at Grande Ligne, P. Q.; but as I reached Burkshire, Vt., I found that sister Alida I. Kellogg had just died at the residence of her brother, Henry W. Kellogg; and, after some consultation on the point, it was decided that a telegram should be sent to Bro. Piguere, to change the appointment for meetings in Canada. I then returned home and spent a good Sabbath with the church. Sunday, the 21st, accompanied by a goodly number of brethren and sisters from Bordoville, attended the funeral services, which were held in the new Methodist meeting-house in Richford. I enjoyed some freedom on the occasion in speaking to a crowded house of mourning and sympathizing friends.
The next day I went to Grande Ligne where I spent four days. I was greatly cheered to find that two more had been led to embrace the Sabbath by reading our tracts and Bro. J.’s REVIEW. These new friends cheerfully entertained me and my team, purchased several of our works that I had on hand, and subscribed for the REVIEW, the Instructor, and the Reformer. May the Lord strengthen those lonely souls, and enable them to endure faithful unto the end, that they may be saved with God’s people at Christ’s coming.
The first Sabbath in February, Bro. Bean and I attended the quarterly meeting with the church at East Richford, Vt. The attendance was large. All present seemed to be much interested in the word spoken, and, in the evening after the Sabbath, we enjoyed a profitable season in attending the ordinances of the Lord’s house.
The next Wednesday we drove fifty-one miles to the Sweet school-house in Starksborough, and the evening of the same day I gave a discourse to an attentive congregation. We remained in the place six days, during which time we held nine meetings, visited ten families, made arrangements for them to have weekly prayer and social meetings and Sabbath meetings, a Bible class and Sabbath school, and obtained three new subscribers for the REVIEW. Nearly all the new converts to the truth in that section had previously made no profession of religion. Bro. and sister Evans still reside in their midst. It is hoped that a good interest will be kept up in their little meetings.
The church in this place had very profitable meetings on the appointed days of fasting and prayer, Feb. 10 and 11; and meetings were continued with increasing interest every evening the following week and the next Sabbath and first-day.
On Sunday, the 18th, pursuant to appointment in the REVIEW, a Missionary and Tract Society for the Vt. State Conference was organized. We have reason for gratitude to our Heavenly Father for the good measure of his Spirit that all present seemed to enjoy at this meeting, and for the success that we had in starting this good work in that Conference. We design to complete the work in this State and Canada as fast as Providence permits.
A. C. BOURDEAU.
Bordoville, Vt., Feb. 25, 1872.