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The Cause in Europe

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Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 30, 1876

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 2, No. 17.

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The Cause in Europe.

By James White

Under the caption, Encouraging Prospects in Switzerland, Elder D. T. Bourdeau states:
“In company with J. N. Andrews I have visited all the churches of Sabbath-keepers in Switzerland; and the result of this has been a strong attachment to these dear brethren and sisters, and a growing respect for the Swiss people. I believe there is as good material among this people as among any other nation. I find them fully up to our American brethren in Systematic Benevolence and the missionary work, and can say they have laid a good foundation on temperance, by laying aside tea, coffee and tobacco. Though Eld. Andrews has for a time worked to great disadvantage in using an interpreter, yet he has earnestly endeavored to bring the Swiss brethren up to the standard of the work in America. His coming to Switzerland was timely, and, under the blessing of God, brought deliverance to dear Bro. Ertzenberger, and much-needed help to the cause in Switzerland.”
“We have already had four good social meetings with the church in Locle. Yesterday all the brethren and sisters took part, excepting two or three. Among these were three of the youth. It was a sweet season. We almost fancied ourselves in a spirited social meeting in America. The God of America is the God of Europe; his work is one, and his truth affects his honest children wherever they may be found.”
“One encouraging feature is that two of our promising Swiss brethren, who seemed almost hopelessly bound by their financial matters a short time since, are making up their minds to soon enter the gospel field as evangelists.”
“God is greatly helping Eld. Andrews in rewriting the book on the Three Messages. Much light is breaking in upon our minds on these important subjects, which are so shaping as to have a general and forcible application. We hope that our American brethren will have the same work in English after awhile. It will comprise sixty-four pages. We are following Bro. Andrews closely in translating, and are also translating enough of Bro. White’s “Exposition of Matthew Twenty-four” to make another excellent sixty-four page tract. We have both enjoyed much of the blessing of God in this work, though we long to enter new fields, and shall do so as soon as we have these works in French.”
“I have a strong desire to go to France soon, but now feel as though I owe a debt of gratitude to Switzerland, one of whose noble daughters, Mme. Feller, did more than any other person, except my parents, in giving me a French education in a mission school which she founded in Canada.”
“We feel at home in Europe because we have the clearest evidence that we are in the path of duty. The change of climate has been rather hard on our lungs, but we have strong faith that the God who has called us will sustain us even in Europe.”
“We now expect that in about six weeks we shall open our mission in Bale. We think we have a sense of the sacredness and importance of the work.”
The spirit of faith and good cheer in these words from Elder Bourdeau have their inspiring influence upon the friends of the mission to Europe. Elders Andrews and Bourdeau will find enough work to weary, enough care to wear them, and difficulties and perplexities to demand the utmost stretch of faith and patience. But while they work for God, and in God, they will find some true friends at least around them in Europe, and they will share the confidence and support of their American brethren, and, best of all, the mighty God of Jacob will be their strength and shield. God bless the cause in Europe!                                                                                                                                                             J. W.