The Cause Among the French West and East.
By D. T. Bourdeau
I do not by any means regard the cause among the French in Wisconsin as hopeless. True, errors have been committed, but even these may be obviated if those who have erred will reform and continue to receive counsel. Last Sabbath, at the close of our good meeting in the hall in Green Bay, our Belgian brethren met at the house of Bro. Delienne, who embraced the truth under our labors about two years ago, and with whom we now lodge. After faithfully pointing out past errors and showing their blasting influence on the cause, and the difficulties connected with the work among the Belgians, we insisted on the necessity of individual effort in the great missionary work before us, and, as far as consistent, assigned to each believer a part to act in visiting families and praying with them where they are interested, and in reading the Bible and our French tracts to those who cannot read, etc. Thus our burdens are made lighter, and we expect that, as the result of patient and persevering effort on the part of our brethren, we shall see an ingathering of souls in this State such as has been seen in Illinois even during our absence. Letters from French brethren in Illinois are most cheering. They report the addition of one France French family, who received their first favorable impressions in regard to our work at our closing season, of attending to the ordinances of the Lord's house before we left Illinois. They were melted to tears. Through the influence of our French brethren in Illinois, rays of light are penetrating into France. I have assisted these brethren in writing to their friends, especially in replying to a letter on the Sabbath question by a minister. This letter was called forth by the unrest of persons who had received letters and tracts from Illinois. Before me is a letter just received from a French brother of Kankakee, in which I find the following:— “I have also received news from my sister in France. She thanks me for the interest I have for them, and says: ‘May God change our hearts and convert us. I feel that I am much farther from him than you are. You are doing the will of God. May God graciously aid us, and convert us. May he guide us and give us his Holy Spirit.’” “But the minister has not answered our letter. He tells my sister to write that he is very well pleased with my seriousness and sincerity, and sends me his salutations. . . . I see that God is working in that country. I shall wait patiently for a definite answer from you, as to your accompanying me to France. I desire to see you before leaving; for I need counsel.” While Bro. Olsen is out on a missionary trip, I shall close up a course of lectures in Dutch Creek, Fort Howard, and see what I can do in a French Roman Catholic community near a Catholic church. Pray that God may help me in this hard place, that I may wrench at least one soul from the mighty powers of darkness, to close the mouths of those who say: “Why don’t you convert Catholics?” I commence in this place to-night. Fort Howard, Wis., Oct. 25, 1875.