Vermont by A. C. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 30, 1872

Vermont

By A. C. Bourdeau

The night of the 28th of March, Bro. Bean and I spent at Bro. Eli Sherman’s, in Newport. Bro. and sister S. are members of the Enosburgh church, and once enjoyed meeting privileges, but since they have taken their residence in N., they have met very rarely with those of like faith; yet with the help they receive by reading our periodicals and our books, pamphlets, and tracts, they are still trying, by the assisting grace of God, to press on with God’s people to the Mount Zion. May they pursue a consistent course, and shine as lights in the world, that they may meet with the pure and the holy in the kingdom.

The next day, we reached Bro. Barrows, in Irasburgh. Teams could hardly move about on account of deep snow. The meetings on Sabbath and first-day were held at Bro. E. Colby’s, in Charleston, and were well attended by all the friends of the cause in the environs. Owing to discouragements, they had not paid up their pledges on Systematic Benevolence for several quarters in the past; but at this meeting they freely paid up to Jan. 1, 1872; and in arranging their S. B. for the present year, their figures were increased nearly $50.00. It is expected that some belonging to this church, who were not present, will increase the figures still more soon.

All the brethren and sisters present joined the State Missionary and Tract Society, by the payment of $1.00 each; and the officers needful for that church, to carry out the objects of the Society, were appointed. Several in this church are slow in adopting the principles of health reform. We saw only two persons there wearing the reform dress. These things ought not so to be, especially with those who have long been connected with the cause of present truth.

April 2, we went to Sutton. As we came to a turn to go to Bro. Carwell’s, one cried out to us from a house near by, “Stop, friends, you can’t go there.” The snow was very deep, in places reaching to the roof of buildings; yet we went on the best way we could, and succeeded in reaching Bro. C.’s house. The next day, we met at Bro. Wiley’s. Only one attended besides the family and ourselves; yet we had a profitable time. Made a good beginning in organizing the Missionary and Tract Society for the few in Sutton, and one doubled his figures on S. B. for this year.

The next day night, on our way to Wolcott, we had a pleasant visit at Mr. Staples’s, in Hardwick. Mrs. S. had just commenced to keep the Sabbath, and manifested an earnest desire to learn the truth more perfectly on all points. May she endure firmly in the good work unto the end, that she may be saved at Christ’s appearing.

Sabbath and first-day, the 6th and 7th inst., held six meetings with the church in Wolcott, and visited several families. Our religious seasons were profitable and interesting to all present. Enjoyed usual freedom in speaking the word, and the brethren and sisters responded with cheering testimonies. In the business meetings, all present were deeply interested in the subject of Missionary and Tract Societies, and they took measures to assist in this good work. They came up promptly to the figures on S. B., which is quite encouraging. Were successful in assisting to settle difficulties between brethren: “Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.” Mark 9:50.

We could not hold a meeting in Johnson, the 10th, on account of a severe thaw. Shall endeavor to meet with the few in J., as soon as Providence permits. A. C. BOURDEAU.

April 19, 1872.