SOUTHERN FRANCE by D. T. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 2, 1876

SOUTHERN FRANCE.

By D. T. Bourdeau

I WENT to this part of France the 1st, 2d and 3d inst., in compliance with the earnest solicitations of a French brother, who moved here from Illinois last spring. The night I arrived, several of this brother's friends called on me, and I briefly explained the object of my mission, without venturing, however, to preach, as I was not yet fully informed in regard to the nature of French laws on religious privileges, under the republic. The next day I went to the préfecture of the department, in a city of 24,000 inhabitants, consulted the secretary and préfet, or president, of the préfecture, and copied the laws of France on religious meetings. I was grieved to find that the change in the form of government had not modified the laws of the empire relative to liberty of speech, and that we meet the same difficulties in France that we do in Alsace. The French government protects, supports, and gives full liberty of speech to, the Romish, Jewish, Lutheran, and National churches only. Preachers of other denominations who venture to hold public meetings, are liable to three or six months' imprisonment, and to pay a fine of from two to four hundred francs. Yet, under Louis Napoleon's law of 1868 on religious meetings, which is more favorable than those that were enacted previous to that date, a preacher who does not belong to any of the above-named denominations, can by sending a request to the préfet, accompanied by a written declaration or petition signed by seven responsible citizens of the commune, stating the day, hour, and place, of meeting, etc., etc., get a legal permission to preach his views. The préfet was a Catholic. He tried to intimidate me, advising me to preach in temples, and stated that if he gave me papers, he would first see what the leading preachers thought. This law is evidently designed to favor the Catholic Church; yet Protestants of the leading denominations have been known to apply it to Baptists and other reformers, and fine them. It is, however, proper to remark that the influence of republican principles represses measurably that spirit of persecution that would enforce the letter of these stringent laws.

I have visited much, and yesterday, Sunday, I was cordially invited to preach in a temple of l’Église Libre (the Free Church). The Lord gave freedom, and several were in tears. I was invited to give a course of lectures in this temple . I commence next Thursday night. In the evening I spoke with liberty to a congregation three miles from that place. At the close of the meeting, the people urged me to stay with them through the winter, and I am on my way to Bâle to bring my family with me. My field of labor will be nearly 400 miles south of Bâle, near Italy, and on the very ground where so many of the noble Waldenses were put to death. The Lord grant that many may be led to imitate their example in keeping the commandments of God. D. T. BOURDEAU.

In France, nearing Geneva, Oct. 9, 1876.