Superior Mission Field
By Daniel T. Bourdeau
DURING a considerable portion of the time since the close of the Menominee (Mich.) camp-meeting, I have, in connection with Elders H. R. Johnson, E. R. Williams, and M. W. Lewis, taken part in a tent effort at Menominee. As a part of the result of this effort, five French adults—all but one parents of a goodly number of children—have begun walking in the way of present truth; two other persons of the French tongue are planning to do the same. I leave it for others to report what the Lord has done for other nationalities through this encouraging effort. I never felt more deeply convinced that the time has fully come for the loud cry of the third angel's message than I felt at Menominee while the three messages were being presented. Surely, God sets forth in the three messages of Revelation 14 the general plan we should follow in proclaiming the truths for these times. If we follow this plan, God will bless our efforts; if we depart from it in catering to the popular ways of preaching, and present the Sabbath largely disconnected from the threefold message of Revelation 14, our efforts will fail to produce the results in souls soundly converted to God, that they would if we regarded the divine plan that was so long ago delineated in the prophetic Word for us to scrupulously follow. While the tent meetings at Menominee were being carried on by fellow laborers, I twice visited the French church at Wilson, made a halt at Talbot, and spent one Sabbath with the church of Stephenson, which is largely made up of French members. The first time I visited the Wilson church, I was accompanied by Elder Lewis. The church was quite thoroughly instructed on the nature and importance of true missionary work, and was supplied with a good assortment of French literature; and it was unanimously voted that following the Sabbath-school the third Sabbath of each month, the hour of the social meeting should be devoted especially to the relation of interesting experiences in missionary work. The second time I visited the Wilson church I was accompanied by Mrs. Bourdeau. We visited every family of the18church, labored for backsliders, and had the best meetings that we have ever attended at Wilson. It was indeed a pentecostal season. It was the third Sabbath of the month, and already blessed results could be seen from doing missionary work. Here Mrs. Bourdeau gave practical instructions in the culinary art, especially on the right combination of foods. It was shown that many were sick because they failed to give attention to this essential feature of health reform. The instructions and drill given were timely, and were greatly appreciated here and at other points. At Talbot and at Stephenson I was also accompanied by Mrs. Bourdeau. At Talbot we spent the principal part of two days at the hospitable home of Brother and Sister Joseph Rubens. Here, while taking needed rest, we were deeply impressed with the propriety of utilizing Brother Ruben's teaching gift, either in connection with church-school work or in doing evangelistic work in the French field. In view of the fact that there are very few French workers in this country, we sincerely hope that this dear brother will ere long carry out a growing conviction in him and in others that he should engage in church-school or evangelistic work, or in both. At Stephenson we had a precious and profitable season with some who have long been in the truth. Here, as well as at Wilson, we were encouraged in seeing some of our French believers moved upon by God's Spirit to settle in new French fields in the North Michigan Peninsula, to do missionary work and prepare the way for the living preacher. This is as God would have it, and is a most encouraging feature of the French cause in these parts.