Switzerland, and the Piedmont Valleys, Italy.
By D. T. Bourdeau
SINCE my last report I have labored for the churches of Bienne, Tramelan, and Neuchâtel, Switzerland. I found much to be done in helping young believers, and some who have been longer in the truth; in assisting in the work of renewing subscriptions, and getting up clubs for our French and German papers; and in raising more means for our publishing house at Bâle. In this branch of our work the Swiss brethren have done nobly. There have been encouraging additions to the churches of Neuchâtel and Bienne; especially is this true of the church of Neuchâtel. This is largely owing to the effort made near that place last spring, the faithfulness of young converts, and the labors of Brother Albert Vuilleumier in following up the interest raised by said effort. Our French paper has also done a good work in preparing hearts to receive the truth. Neuchâtel and vicinity was considered by some a hard field, when I commenced a course of lectures there nine months since; but God greatly encouraged me by his Spirit, to make an effort, even when things looked very forbidding from more than one standpoint. Since then, about sixteen persons have been added to the church there, and more are expected to follow their example. Why may we not regard this as a good indication that we should still push on the work even in large cities? Nothing tends to unite and encourage old brethren like seeing the work progress in their midst and in 'regions beyond,' through their co-operation. The church of Neuchâtel is now in a thriving condition and bids fair to be one of the largest and strongest churches in Switzerland. Being overburdened by the work I had undertaken in France and Italy, I was greatly relieved by my brother's taking charge of the work in France while I spend a season in Italy. The Spirit of God indorsed this decision, and great peace has followed it. I believe God wants us to so labor as to retain the victories we have gained, and economize our strength, that we may still have the privilege of laboring on in this blessed cause. I have now been in the valleys of Piedmont since the 14th inst. I found Brother Vuilleumier engaged in distributing tracts and papers, but he was in great need of having his faithful efforts followed at once by a course of meetings. He had hired and prepared a hall, and a longer delay to occupy it would have worked against us. We at once advertised our meetings; and, although we have since had a three days' snow-storm (the greatest storm of the kind that has been witnessed here for forty years), followed by steady rain for twenty-four hours, yet we have been enabled to hold five meetings. The two leading ministers of the place, and the publisher who edits an Italian paper for the valleys, have been among my hearers. Though we suffer from the errors of one who badly represented the cause here twenty years ago, yet we find many warm hearts, and hope, yes, expect that with the blessing of God and perseverance, we will yet see many of the descendants of ancient Sabbath-keepers led to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. We have also hired a hall at St. John, a village three miles distant, where I purpose giving my first discourse to-morrow night. On my way to this place, I spent five days in Geneva, in doing some missionary work, securing rooms for my family, and preparing the way for colporter work, which must necessarily precede a public effort at so important a point. During this period I enjoyed peace of mind in reflecting much, in seeking for knowledge of the mind of God, and for the proper methods to adopt in starting a mission in that city, where so much is to be met, and where there is so much at stake. Shut up to finite strength and wisdom, this seems like a great undertaking, from which one would naturally shrink; but as we look to the power of present truth, and at the mighty Spirit we have to help us; as we look at the shortness of time and at the importance of enlarging our borders, and bringing our reading matter before so many who have no knowledge of our work, to help our publishing houses and prepare the way for the living preacher, faith, hope, and courage revive. We expect to yet see a church raised up in the city of Calvin, the seat of the French Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century, and the renowned seat of learning for Central Europe. As the work enlarges before us, bringing increased responsibilities, we feel like dedicating ourselves anew to God, and seeking for a fresh unction from on high. We beg the prayers of God's remnant people, that we may have every needed grace, and that our hopes may be realized, to the glory of God and the Lamb. Two new ones kept last Sabbath with us in this place. This will be a source of encouragement to Sister Revel, who has stood alone, like a rock amid dashing billows, for twenty years. D. T. BOURDEAU.
Torre Pellice, Italy, Jan. 19.