France—Valence, Marseilles, and Corsica.
By D. T. Bourdeau
Since reporting last, I have visited isolated Sabbath-keepers; have attended a quarterly meeting and celebrated the ordinances with the church at Valence; have put the church books of the churches of Brauges and Valence into shape, much after the style of our church records and account books for tithes in America, and have done missionary work in Marseilles, a city of 400,000 inhabitants, which we regard as an important point because of its maritime position on the Mediterranean, by which it is brought into connection with all the countries of southern Europe, northern Africa, Palestine, southern Asia, etc. While at Marseilles, I visited, and explained our prophetic chart to persons of high standing in the Protestant world, such as le pasteur Monod of the National church and of the celebrated Monod family. This Christian gentleman treated me with respect and great cordiality, as did also other members of his family and others whom I visited. While at his house one of his friends came in with anxiety and paleness marked on his countenance, and handed him a card, informing him that one of his teachers was having a serious attack of cholera, and wanted to see him immediately. The pastor expressed his regret at his having to leave, as he was deeply interested in the subjects of the chart. I said to him: “You are excusable. You and the afflicted have my sympathy and prayers. God bless you.” Thus ended a precious interview, which has left pleasant traces in my memory. Such a scene as this makes one who is acquainted with present truth think of the sensations soon to be produced when we find ourselves amid the dread realities of the seven last plagues. God deliver us in that fearful time of his unmingled wrath. While at Marseilles, I obtained addresses for our French and English Signs, and got the refusal of a furnished room at very reasonable rates, to be used by a colporter, and any one who may help and follow him up in his work. I am now in “quarantine” in the port of Bastia, Corsica, in the Mediterranean, for having come from Marseilles. But I shall be free to-morrow to step on terra firma again, and follow openings on the island of Corsica. D. T. BOURDEAU.
Bastia, Corsica, Oct. 17.