QUEBEC by D. T. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 6, 1901

QUEBEC

By D. T. Bourdeau

I had thought of going to a small settlement of France French in the eastern townships immediately after the Quebec camp-meeting; but the way was hedged up by a flood that tore up bridges and culverts on the railroad over which I was to pass, so I directed my steps toward Namur, where Mrs. Bourdeau and I conducted a tent effort last year. On my way to this place, I tarried one week in Montreal, visiting the believers, and speaking once to them at their place of meeting. Here I was cheered by meeting Elder W. J. Blake, of South Stukely, and hearing him speak twice, and by forming an acquaintance with Brother and Sister Wm. Blythe, who had recently come from a large church of our people in California. Having had no correspondence with any of the laborers in this province, they had been drawn toward Montreal, the place of their former residence, and readily took in the situation and wants of the cause in this city, striking unwittingly on even cords with previous laborers. May God make them a great blessing to this city of over three hundred thousand inhabitants.

My coming to Namur and vicinity was timely. I found the believers in need of further instruction, especially on love and unity, and on the necessary preparation to move forward in baptism, organization, and the performance of duties incumbent on church membership. Looking at obstacles from a human standpoint, it seemed at times impossible to advance; but yesterday the Spirit of the Lord came in, and a break was made by the baptism of one of the French converts, who, after the close of our Sabbath meeting, asked for baptism. I cheerfully administered the sacred rite, after speaking briefly upon it at the waterside, for the instruction of all present.

I am also visiting much far and near, giving Bible readings and distributing French tracts. I travel a great deal on foot, over hills, plains, and through dense forests, and labor in the hayfield, as I did last year, to have better access to hearts, be taken freely to and from distant points, and thus make my traveling expenses as light as possible, while helping meet the expense of my board and lodging.

Last week, while traveling many miles on foot in the hot sun, I was cheered by the following incidents:—

1. Passing by four France Frenchmen who were moving, I hailed them, and passed on, so they thought I was out of sight. I listened behind the bushes and heard them discuss the Sabbath question. Some of them, having read some of our tracts on the Sabbath, took their stand in favor of the true Sabbath. This made me think of the dream concerning the loaf of bread that came from the camp of the Israelites, and tumbled into the camp of the Midianites, related in the hearing of the spy sent by Gideon. I took what I heard as a token of victory, forgot my weariness, and pressed on in my journey.

2. Further on, I went into a dense forest to meet a France French Catholic ex-priest of some wealth, who, finding no rest in the Catholic and reformed churches, had secluded himself in a shanty by the side of a river. I got lost, and had to retrace my steps. I was so weary that I could hardly put one

foot before the other. After resting a little, I tried again, found the man, gave him a general idea of our views and work, two readings from our good chart and one on the signs given by our Saviour on His near coming. He listened with great respect and breathless interest, and though favoring infidel views, bowed reverently with me in prayer. I left him a French tract prepared to meet French infidels, entitled, “The Nature and Destiny of Man from the Threefold Standpoint of Spirit, Soul, and Body, according to the Bible and Reason,” and parted with him, with the invitation to come again.

Are there not strong young Frenchmen in America to do some of this pioneer work, and give an old warrior an easier time in his old age?

Namur, July 28. D. T. BOURDEAU.