The Cause among the French in Wisconsin.
By Daniel T. Bourdeau
Our closing labors in Green Bay and at other points in Wisconsin left a very encouraging impression upon our mind relative to the future prosperity of the cause among the French in that State. The Spirit of the Lord witnessed to the propriety of ordaining a prudent man elder, and indorsed the farewell counsel we gave to our French brethren, especially what we said by way of encouraging systematic missionary labor at different points. The last two weeks which we spent in Wisconsin we found time to hold a few meetings among the French near a Roman Catholic church. A numerous Roman Catholic family, who had never heard the Bible preached, showed us great kindness. They bought a Bible of us, and spoke for two more. A member of this family is among our converts in Fort Howard. While at this point, we sent a special invitation to the Roman Catholic priest to come and hear us. This gave us influence over the few who attended our meetings. But the priest forbade his people to attend our lectures. This intimidated some; but, through the faithfulness and perseverance of our French brethren, we hope to see further fruits at this point. One of the most interesting features in our labors among the French in Wisconsin was the favorable change that took place in some that we visited in the townships of Wequiock and Red River. An intelligent old man, formerly a merchant in Belgium, who had said he would never come out to hear us, approached us as we parted from him, and said: “May God’s blessing attend you as you go to Europe. May his angel go before you, and may you gain many converts.” A skeptical man from Red River, for whom we had labored long, was at our last Sabbath meeting at Green Bay, and arose to express his desire to prepare for Christ’s second coming. May God aid those who were appointed to follow up the interest at these points. In conclusion, from the stand-point of the French branch of the work, we would insist on the importance of retaining what has been gained in Green Bay and Fort Howard. These are important points. A brief course of lectures with the tent at Fort Howard, followed by an effort to build a church, would give permanency to the cause, and make a rallying point for the French, as well as for other nationalities. May the Lord direct. St. Anne, Ill., Nov. 17, 1875. P. S. We find a good state of things among the French in Illinois. More next week. D. T. B.