Our Arrival in Switzerland.
By John Nevins Andrews
God has brought us in safety to our destination. We reached Neuchatel, Oct. 16. We were met at the depot by Brn. Albert and Luke Vuilleumier, and received from them a cordial welcome. We left Paris Thursday afternoon about 3:30, and reached Neuchatel the following morning at 11 o’clock. We were one hour behind time, owing to the fact that our train brought to the Eastern part of France nearly 2000 soldiers. Our route was via Dijon, and Pontarlier, and Verrières, at which town we entered Switzerland. Eastern France is quite level until within a short distance of the Swiss frontier, where it rises into high hills. We ascend these by the railroad, our way being along the hillside, and through ravines, and by tunnels which take us through the hills themselves. When we reach the frontier, we are fairly among the Jura Mountains. Our route from that point to this place is across the mountains, and it leads along the side of precipices, down which we could look many hundred feet. Neuchatel is very beautifully situated on the west side of the lake which bears the same name. It is at the foot of the mountain range which fills the west of Switzerland, and seems to be crowded almost into the lake. At some distance across the lake to the east, the Alps rise to view, their tops being white with snow. Neuchatel is the capital of the canton, and it contains about 15,000 inhabitants. It was a place of some importance in the Reformation of the sixteenth century. The market place where Farel preached in the open air is but a few rods from the house of Bro. V., and it is still used for a market. I have as yet met only a few of the Swiss brethren, as the most live at some distance from here and in several different places. Last Sabbath, I gave to those present, through Bro. Ademar as interpreter, a history of our work from the beginning, and in particular I related the labors of Bro. Bates, and of Bro. and sister White. I have sought the blessing of God continually in coming hither that I might be prepared to work for God. And since our arrival I have cried to him to fit me to labor here with acceptance and success. I have now to educate my ear to distinguish, and my tongue to utter, the sounds of the French language. With God’s blessing I hope to make rapid progress in this work. I have for years as I have had opportunity, read French works with some degree of satisfaction as I have sought to gain information not otherwise to be found. But to cease to hear the English language, and to take in its place the rapidly spoken and peculiarly blended sounds of the French language, is a change which is attended with some degree of pain and with considerable labor. But I did not come to please myself, and I trust, with God’s help, that I shall be able to be faithful to the work, even though it shall be, as in America, attended with pain. I firmly believe that God has much people in Europe who are ready to obey his holy law, and to reverence his Sabbath, and to wait for his Son from Heaven. I came here to give my life to the proclamation of these sacred truths concerning the near advent of Christ and the observance of God’s commandments. I hope to walk circumspectly, and not to count my life dear to myself. I feel great assurance that God will help. Those who live in Europe can know but little of current events in America. Even in England the papers mention very little of American affairs, and here in Switzerland a brief paragraph, or a single item, is all that one paper is likely to contain of American news. The contrast between the newspapers of America and of Europe is very great. Americans can read each day the principal events transpiring in all parts of the world. In Europe it is quite otherwise. Of secular events in America, for the last six weeks, I know almost nothing. I should be very thankful if friends in different parts of the United States would send me an occasional paper containing matters of interest. My address is Neuchatel, Switzerland, care of Albert Vuilleumier. I hope within a few days to meet the brethren from the several churches in Switzerland, when we shall consider matters of importance pertaining to the cause, and form plans of action for the prosecution of the work. Pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course in this country. Neuchatel, Switzerland, Oct. 23, 1874.