THE FRENCH IN ILLINOIS by J. E. Morin

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 30, 1876

THE FRENCH IN ILLINOIS.

By J. E. Morin

I left Battle Creek last January to visit the French in Illinois who embraced the truth under the ministry of Eld. D. T. Bourdeau. I was cordially received. I first visited St. Anne and held several meetings there. One backslider returned to the truth to the great joy of all his family. He recognized humbly his faults, and promised henceforth joyfully to serve the Lord. May the Lord bless him abundantly, and also his family, who are much devoted to the cause of God. Two more have commenced to keep the Sabbath, and another promised before I left him that he would keep it. I left that church much encouraged, and several promised to devote themselves more fully to the cause of God. Bro. Buizon, a true and courageous missionary who has been engaged in the perilous work of evangelical colportage in France, promised me that he would visit these brethren often to encourage them.

I also left the brethren around Kankakee encouraged. The last Sabbath which I spent among them was a very interesting occasion. The Lord was with us. The meeting was held at the house of a person who was very much opposed to Bro. Bourdeau, and who hated the Adventists. At the close of the meeting the lady wished to pray to God, imploring his blessing upon my work, and upon me the special benediction of Heaven. All eyes were filled with tears. May the Lord touch the hearts of this family, and cause them to see and feel the importance of the present truth.

I visited also the brethren of Erable and Pittswood, and left them all of good courage in the cause of the Lord. There is yet much to be done in these places. The weather was not favorable. The farmers were obliged to remain at home on account of bad roads, and it was also impossible for me to meet with them.

During two weeks I held meetings in Manteno among the Roman Catholics. The first week over one hundred came and listened to me and were very much interested. I spoke to them of the soon coming of Christ. The Sunday following, the priest told them to come no more to listen to me, and he assured them the end of the world would not come for three millions of years. Peace, peace, and there is no peace! The week following, several came no more, and I begun to be insulted in the village. One evening I was at the store of a friend, and there came in an important looking personage who said with the greatest confidence, speaking of me, “That young Frenchman is a fool.” My friend replied, “Do you know Mr. G., the poor idiot who lives in the village? Well, he came this morning, and said the same words you have just uttered.” Before denominating any person as a fool we must investigate the theories he advances.

During that same week I commenced speaking on the prophecies. The people, excited by the priest, intended to assault me. They came into the Hall, but the Lord protected me. They made only a few demonstrations, and went out intending to return in a short time. Before the Hall was an enraged mob making a great noise to drown my words. But the words of truth rose above the din. I was of great courage, and felt that the angel of the Lord was on my side. After the meeting I offered tracts, and they promised to read them. I told them that was the last evening I should speak to them, but that perhaps, after a time, I would come again. The next day they told me if I should preach again I must have the assistance of a policeman, for my life was in danger. But the Lord is all-powerful. If he be for us, who can be against us? I left Manteno thinking to return if the way opens.

I stopped also a few days at Watseka where I had meetings truly interesting. I regretted not being able to stay there longer. All were convinced of the present truth. Six embraced it. I appointed someone to read one of our French tracts to them and their friends at their meeting each Sabbath; for the majority of them cannot read. The village is really awakened.

An old man of seventy-five years said, while weeping for joy, that he thanked God for having permitted him to live to this time to keep all his commandments. He was always foremost in attending our meetings, notwithstanding the cold and snow. He

said that he felt his youth renewed, so happy was he. He promised the Lord to spread this truth among all his friends and acquaintances. I pray the Lord to bless the French church of Watseka.

En route for Battle Creek I stopped at Chicago to visit the Norwegian church. I was cordially received by the elder, Bro. G. F. Berg. He related to me that they begun to build the church five years ago, eight days before the Chicago fire. No Adventist lost anything in this fire. The number of members of this church is seventy.

I am now in Battle Creek, writing with pleasure for the French paper soon to be published in Switzerland, for which I have obtained about fifty subscribers.

I have given away 4,633 pages of French tracts, sold $7.32 worth of English tracts, $1.23 worth of French tracts, and 50 cents worth of German tracts, and visited fifty families. J. E. MORIN.

Battle Creek, Mich.