Progress Among the French in Illinois.
By D. T. Bourdeau
I HAVE NOW spent nearly four weeks among the French in Kankakee and Iroquois Counties. During this time I have labored at three points for our French brethren, and for the American brethren who attended our meeting; and have labored some at two points for unbelievers. Thus far, our French brethren have suspended their local meetings and made a general rally each Sabbath wherever I have spoken, in order to have the benefit of all the meetings. The Sabbath after our good opening meeting at St. Anne, we all met at Beaver, where there are a few French brethren, and where Bro. R. F. Andrews gave a course of lectures last winter. I spoke in both languages on the restoring work for these times, dwelling especially on the Christian ordinances and on the subject of spiritual gifts. The remarks on these subjects were well received. I spent the greater part of the week following in laboring among the France French near Kankakee. I found that their numbers had more than doubled during my absence, and that those who had received the truth had received it with a mind to work, and had labored not only for their French acquaintances in their vicinity, but also for their friends in France, to whom they had sent some of our tracts, and with whom they had opened a correspondence. Most of these French brethren came from Le Banc de La Roche, France. The inhabitants of this place and vicinity enjoyed for years the faithful labors of Oberlin, whose interesting life has doubtless been read by many of our readers. Two of our young brethren will return to France in a few months. We hope they may be prepared to properly represent the cause they have espoused. While laboring among these French brethren, an interesting case came up as follows: I went to L'Erable, a French town, with a few of our brethren, to call on a Frenchman who had heard me only once at Kankakee under the tent; yet some of our brethren had visited this man to do what they could to instruct him on present truth. We spent nearly half a day with him and his family, and he decided to keep the Sabbath. He told us that the night before we called on him he was so exercised in regard to the truth that he could not sleep, but spent several hours in walking out of doors in the deepest solicitude while the other members of his family were sleeping. He was very thankful for assistance, and said we had come at the right time to help him. This man also came from Le Banc de la Roche. The next Sabbath I spoke in French and English in Kankakee city, and had31the best meeting we had ever had in the State. The Spirit of God greatly aided in preaching, and a good work was done in the social meeting. Several of the French spoke for the first time. All national distinctions were swept away by the melting influences of the Holy Spirit, and many tears of joy and gratitude were shed. We felt deeply the importance of keeping up a light in Kankakee city. As the hall we had formerly occupied was under repairs, the Congregationalists kindly granted us the use of their meeting-house, which is situated about four rods from the spot of ground on which our tent stood last year. We tendered thanks to the Congregationalists through three of the city papers. But the most encouraging feature we have to present is the success of yesterday (Sabbath) at St. Anne. We were refused the use of the Baptist church, so held our meeting in a private house, which was filled to overflowing, twenty or more having to sit under two small shade trees in front of the house. About fifty Sabbath-keepers were present. Over thirty of these were French. I again spoke in both languages, dwelling mainly on the preparation for baptism. At the close of this meeting a procession of eleven double teams heavily loaded, chiefly with believers, went to Kankakee River, near Aurora, a distance of six miles, and sixteen French converts were buried with Christ by baptism. Doubtless others will be baptized soon. I have not forgotten our Belgian brethren in Wisconsin, and will cheerfully labor for them and others at other points in Wisconsin as soon as the way is opened. I generally labor where the people are anxious to be helped. I find many openings in the great West. St. Anne, Ill., July 11, 1875.