The French and Americans in Illinois.
By D. T. Bourdeau
ALTHOUGH the roads have been very bad most of the time since I reported last, I have labored to keep up the interest started in the church in Serena, have done all I could for the French, and have spoken about twenty times at Wedron, four miles south of Serena. In connection with our labors for the church, four started out to serve the Lord and two others took their stand publicly for the commandments. If the church at Serena will keep their mind on the great work for these times, and thereby crowd out petty trials, they will yet witness a greater work accomplished for themselves, for their children, and for the world around them. This church is composed of members from three different nations, and can, if faithful, do much by their influence to advance the cause among those of other tongues. They have faithfully stood by us in our labors, and have a large place in our affections. It was no small privilege for us, two weeks since, to enjoy the labors and counsel of Elds. Butler and R. F. Andrews. We held our first Sabbath meeting at Wedron yesterday. The Lord was with us in power. Several started in the service of God to keep all the commandments and the faith of Jesus. As far as we can learn, ten or twelve have already commenced to keep the Sabbath. Have obtained four subscribers for the REVIEW, two for the True Missionary, and one for the Advent Tidende. This is more than we expected in view of the bad roads we have had, and in view of the fact that this is one of those fields in which a partial effort had been made years ago. But this deficiency was more than made up by the consistent life of Bro. Adam Rudd by which he gained the confidence and affections of the people, and made our labors comparatively easy. Calls now come to us for labor both from the city and the country. And there is work enough within eight miles of this place to keep every minister in Illinois busy till camp-meeting. In connection with our efforts for the French, the man who was under conviction at the time of my last report has taken a firm stand for present truth. Prejudice has been created against us in the minds of some by two opposition discourses by the French preacher, who utterly refused us the privilege of replying. However, I wrote a brief defense of the truth against his attacks, which were published in tract form. Fifty copies are being read and more are called for. D. T. BOURDEAU. Wedron, Ill., March 15, 1874.