D. T. BOURDEAU by D. T. Bourdeau

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 21, 1871

D. T. BOURDEAU

By D. T. Bourdeau

Vermont.

LAST week, feeling extremely exhausted in consequence of extra exertion in new fields for upwards of five months, I resolved to come home by way of West Bolton and Jericho to rest awhile. I called on most of the friends of West Bolton and Jericho, and was encouraged by seeing progress in nearly all of them. I attended one of their prayer-meetings, spoke to a few at Jericho Corners last Friday evening, and Sabbath held two meetings with Eld. Stone at West Bolton, he speaking on the love of Christ, and I dwelling on all the Christian ordinances. The attendance was good, there being about fifty persons present.

As I reached home three days since, my prospects for life seemed dark; but as I commence to rest, my courage and hope revive, and I hope to be able to labor moderately after resting a short time. I greatly erred in not taking time to rest after returning from California, and last summer, during the early part of the tent season, I was not provided with sufficient help. The fields are white, and there are numerous calls for labor from every quarter. The laborers are few, and may God help those who have a call to preach to take the real burden of souls upon them, and work for the salvation of their fellow-men. In view of the great amount to be done, we are liable to overdo. Our recent experience in new fields has confirmed us in the opinion that Vermont is a good field of labor. We have seen as many souls receive the truth this summer, as we did in any one tent season in California. Though we have to labor harder in this State than in some other fields, yet we have reason for encouragement.

Dear brethren and sister in Vermont, let us come up to the duties of our high calling and profession. Why not strike for at least one hundred additions to our numbers the present year? This is a small number if all will go to work. What we want is more of the spirit that David had when he struck for one hundred of his enemies, the Philistines. God gave them to him. We admit that the testimony to us is close and humiliating, but know of no other way to improve upon it than to work it out. It will do us no good to watch others with jealousy. We may err through weakness, but God will be merciful unto us if he sees in us a principle of reform. I view Bro. White’s plan for organizing missionary societies as an omen of good. Let us take hold of it at once, and go to work.

D. T. BOURDEAU

West Enosburgh, Vt., Nov. 10, 1871.