Among the French in Illinois.
By D. T. Bourdeau
DURING the past three weeks, we have labored on new ground in Papineau and L’Erable, Iroquois Co., besides speaking to the brethren at their prayer-meetings and on the Sabbath. In Papineau the interest was limited to a few Protestant families, and, as the investigation was progressing, Eld. Auger, the Baptist preacher who opposed us last year at St. Anne, commenced to work against us in families, insinuating that he would like to meet us in discussion or conversation before them. We did not see how we could avoid a collision. Last Wednesday night we had a session on spiritual gifts and other points on which we had been falsely accused to injure our influence. This session lasted till midnight. And, although we had been anxious to commence with the Sabbath question, we were glad at the close that the other topics had come up first. God gave great freedom in defending unpopular truth, our brethren were strengthened, and prejudice was removed. It was 2 A. M. when we reached our resting place at St. Anne. Yesterday (Sunday) we had a discussion with the same man on the Sabbath question. We felt that God greatly helped in presenting in a brief manner the main features of our faith on this question and in meeting objections; but we were very sorry that one or two of our brethren became so earnest in meeting opposition at the close of the discussion. It is always better for the cause that such interviews should close in an orderly manner and without excitement. At L’Erable, our congregation was not large. It was equally divided between Roman Catholics and Protestants. We have aimed to get one or more witnesses to the truth at these points, that our brethren who have a measure of experience may be stimulated to labor on new ground as they have done in the past, while we go into entirely new fields. The work among the French in this country will require time and perseverance, because, first, the French are generally scattered; and, secondly, their past education, and their limited privileges and experience in religious things, will demand more patient instruction than is requisite to advance the cause among Americans. But we would labor where our lot is cast; and we desire above all things to do our work wisely and to divine acceptance. St. Anne, Ill., July 26, 1875.