Letter from Switzerland to American Brethren
By Albert Vuilleumier
[The following communication being addressed to me, and designed for the REVIEW, I am happy to translate for the purpose for which it was intended. A. V.] BELOVED BRETHREN IN JESUS: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you from our dear Saviour. Amen. For a long time, I have had a desire to write to you. If I have not done so, it is not for a lack of union or brotherly love and Christian sympathy with you in the cause which we proclaim and defend. No, dear brethren, for often, yes, very often, the mind of your brethren and sisters of Switzerland is turned toward their loved brethren of America. Our dear REVIEW visits us regularly every week, and brings us good news from you, and also states the prosperity of the third angel’s message of mercy from God toward his creatures. We are thankful to you for this bread of life, which you proclaim as meat in due season, to call out a people for God, to be prepared for the coming of Jesus, who will come in the glory of his Father and his holy angels. Though we have great need of encouragement for ourselves, we talk courage and faithfulness, and our prayers go with you in this unpopular message, which is so much exposed to opposition, notwithstanding the clear and positive testimonies of the divine word. Here in Switzerland, the work is prospering very slowly, and step by step. We suffer from the attacks of the cunning enemy of our souls, and we feel ourselves but little experienced as sentinels to repulse his assaults, which causes us to suffer. Nevertheless, we thank God; for the hope and confidence we have in our Chief sustain us, and help us to wait for the victory with patience. We have already undergone many trials which are to be regretted, not only without (the church), but also within. A thought, dear to our souls, sustains us in these, which is, that this work is from the Lord and must be kept pure. May God protect it. This day, dear brethren, my design in writing to you is to rejoice your hearts, as ours do also rejoice, with good news. We have a dear sister in Italy, the first person who embraced the third angel’s message in Europe, under the labor of Bro. Czechowski, some eight or nine years since. Though she has been alone, and persecuted by her husband, she has not ceased to be faithful. For her encouragements, she has had communion with God, and some letters from us. Lately, God has blessed her zeal and her faithfulness, in leading, by her efforts, a Baptist evangelist to the knowledge of the third angel’s message, who this day proclaims it in the valleys of Piedmont (the French part of Italy). He asked us to correspond with him, that he may become more enlightened, and be able to proclaim a message which is yet hidden from his nation; to proclaim this message with the same courage with which he has preached on every occasion, even in public streets, the salvation through the precious blood of Christ. As he is poor and father of seven children, we have sent some means to him, which he will use to come to Switzerland during the month of August, and so confer with us on this precious truth, not fearing to leave his family under the watchcare of the One who has said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Another Christian friend, being blind from his birth, but well instructed in the way of the Lord, and a devoted Christian, is also convinced of the truth of the third angel’s message. His desire is to work in the vineyard of the Lord. Until this time, he has taken care of the religious instruction of the youth in a community in France (Epinal). These two cases are as a refreshing dew in all our trials, which direct our hearts to hope, and cause us to render thanksgiving to our Heavenly Father. If a thought can darken our joy, it is to think how those that bring the gospel are tempted, and to fear that Satan may succeed in alluring them from the right way, as we unhappily have had to regret something of this character in the past. Dear brethren, we need your prayers. We would like also, if possible, that you hasten the translation of tracts. Give us your counsels and your directions. Once more remember us, and may the Lord our God and Father bless Israel with peace, love and fear, in watching and praying. Receive the Christian and brotherly love, from your brethren and sisters in Europe. Your affectionate brother in the Lord,
ALBERT VUILLEUMIER.
Neuchatel, July 24, 1873.