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THE CAUSE IN VERMONT

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The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 30, 1867

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 30, No. 7.

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THE CAUSE IN VERMONT.

By Alonzo C. Bourdeau

Besides holding meetings in Northern Vermont and Canada East, agreeably to appointments in Review, in the months of March and April I spent six weeks among the churches and scattered brethren in the Southern part of this State. More than two months have elapsed since I closed this tour, and doubtless several have many a time ere this looked for a report from me. But my long delay in writing has not been owing to a lack of interest in me relative to the cause of truth; but existing circumstances in my affairs at home, and the great need that I had of rest, have prevented. Yet it may not be amiss for me to say a word, though at a late hour, about the state of the cause in Southern Vermont.
That part of the State had not been visited by any of our ministers for nearly three years; and the brethren deeply appreciated the labors we bestowed among them. All our meetings were interesting, and we had good success in every place.
From Stowe, where we held two meetings and were favored with the presence of Bro. and sister Hutchins, myself and wife went to Braintree, where we held in all, five meetings. The Sabbath keepers in this place had formerly belonged to the Roxbury church; but two years ago ten or more of the leading members of this church moved to the west, and the remaining ones were left in a disorganized and scattered condition. Yet they tried to keep up their meetings, and to carry out the plan of Systematic Benevolence. During our meetings eleven set down their figures on S. B. amounting to nearly $100.00, and we appointed a leader, clerk, and S. B. treasurer; took in pledges for three shares in the Health Institute, and some means for the Publishing Association.
From Braintree we spent three days in traveling ninety-one miles, and had to take our meals and lodge at hotels, till we reached Andover, where we found a pilgrim's home at the residence of Bro. Rodney Pierce. Here we found seven Sabbath keepers; held two meetings; organized S. B. amounting to $71.76; attended to the ordinances of the Lord's house, and received one into the church.
We then went to Jamaica, where we held six meetings. In examining the standing of the brethren and sisters here we found a church of eight members, and six or seven Sabbath-keepers that have moved into the place from Vernon. We were glad to see them quite active in the good work, and deeply interested in the spiritual welfare of the young among them. At a business meeting their figures on S. B. were increased to more than twice their former amount, and fourteen united with the church, eight of whom were young Sabbath-keepers and children. We also dwelt largely upon the idea of their building them a house of worship. Such a move would have a beneficial effect upon the church and their children, and also a gathering influence upon those without.
An outsider who attended our meetings, said that if I held a series of meetings in Jamaica he would board me five weeks and endeavor to attend all the meetings. I would gladly spend several weeks in Jamaica, in holding meetings, and assisting the brethren to build a new and commodious house of worship. Hope the way may open for me to do so after the next session of our State Conference next September.
On our way home we attended a Quarterly Meeting with the church at Wolcott, spoke three times, held a business meeting at which we arranged Systematic Benevolence for the present year, took three more shares for the Institute, and two united with the church.
On Sabbath and first-day, April 20 and 21, attended a Quarterly Meeting with the church at home which was truly interesting and profitable to all that were present.
Subsequent to that time I have spent eight weeks in laboring with my hands on account of not being able to get the help that I wanted to do my work. Although I have been led to grieve many a time on account of these things, yet I trust that my time while at home was not entirely lost to the cause of precious truth. Large churches like that at Enosburgh need more ministerial labor than smaller churches. I spoke to the church every Sabbath and met with them twice each week besides; arranged S. B. amounting to nearly $400.00; and took in from this church forty-two more shares for the Institute, besides raising nearly $50.00 to help Bro. A. S. Hutchins at the Health Institute. And on Sabbath, June 22, in the forenoon I preached on baptism to a large and attentive congregation, and at 2 P. M., we repaired to the side of a stream of water in our grass field, where I immersed our aged Bro. Eastman who has been in the truth only a short time; four young men and women, and our two little daughters, Sarah A. and Mary L. Bourdeau, one aged eleven years and the other nine.
At present we are out again in the field. Brethren pray for us.
A. C. BOURDEAU.
Wolcott, Vt., July 16, 1867.