The Work Among the European French.
By Daniel T. Bourdeau
NOTWITHSTANDING the difficulties we have met and the afflictions through which we have passed, to the praise of God we are able to report precious lessons learned, victories gained, and good prospects for the cause among the French in Europe. In the past two years, God has given us witnesses in Locle, Switzerland, and in four entirely new fields situated at a considerable distance from each other; viz., Alsace (now a part of Germany), Southern France, St. Didiér, near Lyons, France, and Morges, Switzerland. We wish there were more believers in these fields; yet we would not undervalue what God has done. In countries where stubborn difficulties are met at every step, and where the work must move slowly in the start, even a few witnesses are of incalculable value to the cause in removing prejudice and spreading the light in the midst of the dense moral darkness that envelops the people. A French officer and his wife who took their stand for the truth at St. Didiér, at the time of our recent trip in France, report encouragingly. They say God has given them great confidence in defending the truth against the attacks of different ministers. The brother will be obliged to join the army for a few weeks by the time this report appears in print. He wishes to be remembered in our prayers. I learn that there is at least a limited influence in favor of the Sabbath in Geneva; and in Lausanne, a city of about 30,000 inhabitants (and the birthplace of the missionary who founded the Grande Ligne Mission Institute, Canada East, in which I studied two and a half years), situated about six miles from this place, is a small independent hall with an adjoining room for preachers to rest in, which I can have for $10 a month. And there are several openings in a canton north of this, that should not be neglected, and places in Alsace and in France must be visited. But this point should be braced up by additions in this section. It is therefore evident that whether we have a tent or not, at least a helper is needed in the French mission, besides the labors of Brother Andrews when he is not engaged directly in the publishing work. When such cities as Lausanne and Geneva are entered, we shall have to speak to English and Americans as well as to those of other nationalities. There are two churches in each of those cities to accommodate English and American citizens. Mrs. B. is gradually improving in health, and is adapting herself to the climate here, which, according to the unanimous testimony of physicians and numerous cases of nervous fever, is hard on the nerves, especially in winter. The time has come for me to move out, and the language of my heart is: Let me see this cause, the best of causes, prosper; let the loud notes of victory echo from the new world to the old, and from the old back to the new; and let the message swell louder and louder and spread more and more, till earth's remotest bounds are illumined by its glory, and all the honest are gathered; and let me have a humble part in this glorious work.
D. T. BOURDEAU.
Morges, Switzerland, April 12, 1878.