p. 206 | D. T. BOURDEAU by D. T. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 10, 1872

D. T. BOURDEAU

By D. T. Bourdeau

Vermont.

Since returning from the western part of the State, we have visited every day, and held six meetings a week, and have enjoyed more than a usual portion of God's Spirit, in strengthening the young converts. About twenty, in all, have embraced the truth. Six have subscribed for the Review; three for the Reformer, and two for the Instructor. If the work is faithfully followed up, I see not why a church may not be organized here. If some should give up the truth, others would come to fill their place. I have greatly desired to see a work started in this part of the State, that we could fall back upon as a success in future efforts in new fields.

This was noted as a very hard field. Repeated efforts had been made by preachers to get up a revival, with but little success; and when we pitched our tent here, the language of professors was, “Let the Lord work through whom he will, and we will rejoice.” Well, the Lord has worked. At least, ten have been converted from the world. Some were rough, swearing men, and one had threatened to tear down our tent. For awhile, professors rejoiced. Nearly all acknowledged we had the truth on the Sabbath, and expressed a desire that all would take hold of it. But when they saw the cross, most of them turned away from it. Sinners wondered, and some, I fear, have stumbled, never to be reached. What a fearful position for professors to be in: To pray for God to work, and when God does work, then reject the very means through which souls are converted, and thus stand in the way of sinners; and then, to cap the climax, wonder why more is not accomplished! Fifty might have taken hold of the truth here, instead of twenty, had professors walked in the light. Under these circumstances, men of the baser sort feeling the pulse of some in the church, it is not a strange thing that some should threaten of mobbing us out of the place. But God reigns, and we have friends to stand by us.

I mean to spare no pains in doing all I can to build up the cause here. But it cannot be expected that I shall always remain in this place. Thus far I have not suffered for want of help. But will our old experienced brethren in this part of the State take hold of the work here systematically? Will they get initiated into the work some before I leave, so as to be able to labor to advantage? Bro. Charles Worthen has faithfully stood by us. Will others stand by him when we are gone? God is cutting out work for us. Shall we engage in it heartily? Shall we make allowance for babes in Christ, remembering what we once were?

My heart is touched with what Bro. White says about our having works in other languages, and I would act that humble part in laboring for the French that God and my brethren will assign me. But we must have French works before we can accomplish much in this direction.