France by D. T. Bourdeau

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 2, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 37.

France.

By D. T. Bourdeau

THIRTEEN persons have signed the covenant at Brauges. These believers, though in very straitened circumstances, will do something to sustain the cause in France. More than one-half of them signed a pledge to pay the tithe, and nearly all of the remainder said they would do what they could. I regard this as a good start in the matter of giving, when I consider the shortness of the effort, the strong prejudice in France against the tithing system, because of its abuse by the Catholic clergy, and also the fact that these brethren are farmers owning only from one to three acres of land, and generally in debt at that, having had three poor seasons in succession. Some are overcoming tobacco, and baptism will be administered when I return.

I came to this city six days ago after an absence of seven years. I found that since my first effort here some of the believers had died, and others had apostatized; and the rest had been like sheep without a shepherd, and were in great need of help. I have held eight meetings, baptized two persons, organized a small Sabbath-school, and a church of seven members paying tithes.

On my way to Valence, I visited a dear family at St. Didier, who had kept the Sabbath alone ever since I defended the Sabbath and the near coming of Christ, in a discussion in that place, seven years ago. It was a precious season. They sent a request to unite with the company at Brauges, and promised to pay their tithes.

The cholera is still raging in France, and in several cities in Italy. In a small village of only five hundred inhabitants, not far from this city, as many as forty persons have died of this dreadful and dreaded disease in two days. Some are dying of the plague even in this city, but the matter is hushed, that the people may not run away in a panic, as they have done in other cities.

Brethren, should not these judgments lead us to think seriously of the soon-coming plagues of Jehovah's wrath, from which none of the wicked, whether in Zion or out of Zion, can escape? Should we not be up and doing, in warning our fellow-men, and preparing for the day of wrath? D. T. BOURDEAU. Valence, Aug. 27, 1884.