ENCOURAGING PROSPECTS IN SWITZERLAND.
By D. T. Bourdeau
I HAVE now been in Switzerland over four weeks, and as I have taken quite a view of the state of the cause in this country, it may be proper for me to write a few lines to my American brethren from the stand-point of my personal observation. In company with Bro. Andrews, I have visited all the churches of Sabbath-keepers in Switzerland; and the result of this has been a strong attachment to these dear brethren and sisters, and a growing respect for the Swiss people. I believe there is as good material among this people as among any other nation. I find them fully up to our American brethren in Systematic Benevolence and the missionary work, and can say they have laid a good foundation on temperance, by laying aside tea, coffee and tobacco. Though Eld. Andrews has for a time worked to great disadvantage in using an interpreter, yet he has earnestly endeavored to bring the Swiss brethren up to the standard of the work in America. His coming to Switzerland was timely, and, under the blessing of God, brought deliverance to dear Bro. Ertzenberger, and much-needed help to the cause in Switzerland. In my visit among the churches, I found that they were in great need of instruction and help in social meetings, and on temperance, with reference to wine, etc. Yet I had no word of reproof for them on these points; for it seemed to me that, with the spirit of sacrifice they had manifested in many respects, if they were shown their duty, they would cheerfully perform it. We have commenced to labor on these points, and are greatly encouraged in seeing a good reform started. We have already had four good social meetings with the church in Locle. Yesterday all the brethren and sisters took part, excepting two or three. Among these were three of the youth. It was a sweet season. We almost fancied ourselves in a spirited social meeting in America. The God of America is the God of Europe; his work is one, and his truth affects his honest children wherever they may be found. Some of these dear brethren and sisters offered their testimonies in the form of brief fervent prayer and praise; yet these testimonies showed intelligence, piety and deep feeling, and we were glad to hear them, knowing that in time this important branch of divine worship would assume its proper shape. Such had been our experience with the Belgians in Wisconsin. The Swiss people generally eat four or five times a day, and use wine at least twice a day. At the close of a discourse on temperance yesterday, several expressed a determination to reform still further; for most of our Swiss brethren have commenced to reform in these respects, and have donated of their means quite freely to the tract and S. B. funds, and we believe that though they are but a handful, they will act a noble part in publishing a paper by further sacrificing for God in carrying out the principles of temperance. One encouraging feature is that two of our promising Swiss brethren, who seemed almost hopelessly bound by their financial matters a short time since, are making up their minds to soon enter the gospel field as evangelists. Sister Revel, of Italy, who has stood alone for years in that country, writes that her courage is good, and that she will wait patiently for the coming of Bro. Urgos and such other laborer as may accompany him. God is greatly helping Bro. Andrews in re-writing the book on the Three Messages. Much light is breaking in upon our minds on these important subjects, which are so shaping as to have a general and forcible application. We hope that our American brethren will have the same work in English after awhile. It will comprise sixty-four pages. We are following Bro. Andrews closely in translating, and are also translating enough of Bro. White’s “Exposition of Matthew Twenty-four” to make another excellent sixty-four page tract. We have both enjoyed much of the blessing of God in this work, though we long to enter new fields, and shall do so as soon as we have these works in French. I have a strong desire to go to France soon, but now feel that I owe a debt of gratitude to Switzerland, one of whose noble daughters, Mme. Feller, did more than any other person, except my parents, in giving me a French education in a mission school which she founded in Canada. We feel at home in Europe because we have the clearest evidence that we are in the path of duty. The change of climate has been rather hard on our lungs, but we have strong faith that the God who has called us will sustain us even in Europe. We now expect that in about six weeks we shall open our mission in Bale. We think we have a sense of the sacredness and importance of the work. We must go there with a strong force, and prepared to present the truth in both the German and French languages. It may be our duty to call for Bro. Ertzenberger after awhile, and have him replaced by some other brother. We shall need wisdom at every step. With solicitude we ask our brethren generally to pray for us. Locle, Switzerland, Feb. 14, 1876.