Vermont and Canada by A. C. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Apr 8, 1873

Vermont and Canada.

By A. C. Bourdeau

On returning home from attending the quarterly tract and missionary meetings for the five districts in Vermont, in December last and the first week in January, and from holding, in that time, several other meetings among the churches and scattered ones, I found that my lungs and general health were much affected on account of having traveled in hard snow storms and very cold weather. Yet, by the assisting grace of God, I have been enabled since then to spend my whole time in trying to labor for the furtherance of the cause.

Held several meetings in Enosburgh, where the Lord evidently granted us the influence of his Spirit to help our infirmities, and to encourage us to labor with greater earnestness for the spread of truth.

Went twice into Canada, where I visited old friends among the French Baptists, etc. The interviews I had with Mr. and Mrs. Normandeau in Granby, Jan. 21 and 22, were interesting. They do not hesitate to say that they do not see everything exactly as they used to, though they may on that account be rejected as reprobates. May they be led to see the whole truth.

The visit I had with the Meggison family in Grande Ligne, Feb. 4 and 5, was also interesting. They embraced the Sabbath of the fourth commandment a little more than a year ago, by reading the Review and our tracts. Since then they have met with a great loss in the death of Mr. R. Meggison; yet they (the surviving companion, daughter, and three grand children of the deceased) are endeavoring to keep the whole truth. They cheerfully donated ten dollars for the cause.

Sabbath, Feb. 22, held a profitable meeting at the house of Bro. H. W. Kellogg in Berkshire, Vt. The friends of the cause in B. keep up their weekly Sabbath meetings, are punctual in paying their pledges on S. B., and are endeavoring to carry out the objects of the missionary and tract society. The next day, assisted the general agent of the society in preparing to send circulars to all the delinquents on our periodicals in Vermont.

Went twice to East Charleston. The meeting I attended there, the first Sabbath in March, was cheering and encouraging to all present. Just six months had elapsed since we had given the first lecture under the tent in that place. In that time upward of twenty commenced to keep the truth, but some afterward made shipwreck of their faith; yet, as the result of my brother's labors during the winter in the place and vicinity, others had embraced the Sabbath. Enjoyed usual freedom in speaking from Heb. 12:1–4. My brother followed with exhortation, after which testimonies were given by several of the friends present.

Sabbath, March 8, Bro. Bean and I met with the church at East Richford. Had a good attendance. The Lord greatly blessed us in speaking the word, and our social meeting was interesting to all present. On account of stormy weather and of my having to give a sermon at a funeral in the place the next day (Sunday), we did not hold a business meeting with that church as we had designed. Sabbath, the 15th, was a good day to the church in Bordoville. We have reason to believe that the brethren and sisters here have been trying to lay aside their petty difficulties. Enjoyed a good measure of the Spirit in all our religious exercises. Was glad to see a good attendance at the Bible-class and Sabbath-school. There were upward of fifty who took an active part in these exercises. A still larger number of this church should take an interest in this branch of the work.

Last Sabbath and first-day, the 22d and 23d, Bro. Bean and I held profitable meetings in Jericho. The brethren in West Bolton and Jericho are much in need of a house of worship, and they feel a great anxiety that I should locate in their midst to aid them in erecting a house, etc. May the Lord lead in this matter is my prayer.

A. C. Bourdeau.

March, 1873.