The French Conference by Daniel T. Bourdeau

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 22, 1859

The French Conference.

By Daniel T. Bourdeau

This conference was held in Chazy village on the 3d and 4th inst. All the French brethren of this county were present, and gladly listened to those practical truths which belong to the remnant church. They were made to feel the relations they sustain to each other, and to their American brethren, and the importance of doing something for the spread of the truth among the French. Two were baptized, and one decided to keep all of God's commandments.

We were sorry that Bro. and Sr. White were not with us. Quite a number of French Protestants and Americans came to this conference expecting to see Bro. and Sr. White, and were much dissatisfied when we informed them that they were not coming. We told them we believed they had tried to follow the way of duty, and that God would make all things plain. Bro. Taylor and myself gave several lectures in English for the benefit of the Americans. Some of those who heard us acknowledged that we had the truth on the Sabbath question; but will they be consistent?

At the close of the conference Bro. Czechowski made a few remarks on the subject of systematic benevolence, and on the subject of tobacco; and the French brethren unanimously approved of the doings of the Battle Creek conference on the subject of systematic benevolence, and acknowledged that the filthy idol, tobacco, prevents many of God's saints from keeping the first commandment, and that it should be excluded from the church as soon as possible. We are glad that most all of our French brethren have laid this idol aside.

Before we parted we met at Bro. Amlow's, where we had a season of prayer, and attended to the ordinances of the Lord's house; and truly the Lord did meet with us according to his promise. Our hearts were drawn together, and we felt that we could adopt the following language: "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John, i, 7.

We here felt the importance of holding general French conferences; and our hearts were drawn out after the French brethren in Vermont. Bro. Czechowski was encouraged.

We can look back to this conference with a good degree of satisfaction. We are few in number; but I think we can say that we are united. Brethren, let us keep together, and bear each other's burdens. Let us remember that we have got something to do in this glorious cause. This cause is the Lord's, and it will prosper. The work which has commenced among us will go on till all the honest French are searched out, and prepared for translation.

DANIEL T. BOURDEAU.

Rouse's Point, Sept. 8th, 1859.