Italy, France, and Switzerland.
By D. T. Bourdeau
AFTER the effort at Bari, Italy, I went, in company with Brethren Biglia and Volpi, to Barletta, and spoke once, with a sense of the divine blessing, Brother Biglia serving as interpreter. Among my hearers were some of the veterans, who, in 1866, escaped martyrdom in this city, during the massacre of Protestants, instigated by Pope Pius IX. Here I found the same fervent affection and appreciation of truth that I had met at Bari, which greatly strengthened my attachment to the Italian people. I have never met a more friendly feeling in any country. I left Brethren Biglia and Volpi at this point to carry on the work, and went to the Waldensian Valley to obtain information, and arrange for future effort there. Brother Adémar Vuilleumier has already gone to that field to do missionary work. The Lord willing, I shall soon follow to give a course of lectures. From the valley of ancient Sabbath-keepers, I went to Bâle, Switzerland, where I remained eleven days, laboring for the church, especially for the youth connected with our publishing work, and in helping to prepare Bible-readings. It was a great privilege to meet my brother, whom I had not seen for nearly six months, also dear Brother Whitney, who has borne heavy burdens in connection with the erection of our publishing house. God's blessing has rested upon this enterprise, and his special providence has helped to surmount obstacles which threatened to hinder the work. As I viewed this building, feelings of gratitude filled my soul, and I could not suppress the following utterances: "The best building in Bâle! The cause is indeed worthy of it, and those who have furnished means for its erection have reason for gratitude that they have had the privilege of aiding in so noble an enterprise. Praise God for such a building!" The last Sabbath I spent in Bâle was a good day for the church in that city. A spirit of confession and true humility pervaded the congregation. Young persons who were either backslidden, or had never taken a public stand for religion, spoke in brokenness and with tears. It was affecting to see father and son meet and weep over each other, and confess to each other. The Spirit of God worked mightily. All shed tears of gratitude. A similar work is now going on in the Bienne church. We have good news from the young churches in France. At one point an elder has baptized three persons; at another, one person has embraced the truth; at another, leading brethren report victories, even in laboring for their former pastor; at Marseilles, a friend starts the following Macedonian cry: "We keep precious recollections of your brief stay among us, and hope you will visit us in the spring, and give us a course of lectures and raise up a church." A letter of anxious inquiry after truth, comes from a colporter of the London Bible Society, living in another department. Thus the way is opening for the spread of the truth. Even at Rome, the Sabbath question is being agitated. May we not hope to see a church of commandment-keepers raised up at the very seat of the man of sin,—the power that has so fiercely opposed God's holy law, and slain so many millions of its observers? I am greatly encouraged by seeing the Review and Signs again, a privilege of which I am largely deprived when traveling. No intelligence is hailed with greater joy than that relating to the sending of more laborers to the Old World, and to the coming of Sister White. Bienne, Switzerland, Dec. 16, 1884.