THE FRENCH MISSION by D. T. Bourdeau

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 10, 1860

THE FRENCH MISSION.

By D. T. Bourdeau

BRO. SMITH: As the dear saints may feel anxious to hear of our French mission, I will give a brief account of our labors in Montgomery since you wrote last.

On the 12th of February I attended one of Eld. Letourneau's meetings at M. In his first lecture he tried to prove, 1., That Christ is our Law-giver under the present dispensation. 2. That he abolished the law of Moses (the ten commandments included), who was the law-giver under the old dispensation. 3. That he established a new law; viz., the law of love, which is binding upon all men.

I was reminded here of a sermon he read three years ago on the perpetuity of the law of God, in which he showed that our Saviour did "not come to destroy the law," etc.; and I was led to conclude that his object in taking this contradictory position was to avoid the obligation of the fourth commandment, which enforces the observance of the seventh day as the Sabbath.

At the close of the afternoon meeting I reviewed Eld. L.'s remarks, and proved, 1. That "there is one Law-giver," who is God. James iv, 12. 2. That "this is the love of God that we keep his commandments." 1 John v, 3. 3. That God's law is love. 2 John 6; Matt. xxii, 37-40.

I gave several lectures to the French, and labored among them night and day from house to house. Several individuals became interested in the truth, and they searched the scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

While I was thus engaged among the French, the American friends on the west hill manifested an ardent desire to hear on the subject of truth; and in compliance with their request I left an appointment to commence a series of lectures in their school-house on the 26th, and returned home.

The next Sabbath our hearts were cheered by the presence of my brother who had just returned from his eastern tour. In the evening after the Sabbath my brother and myself started for Montgomery, and as this was the first time we were called to labor together in the cause of present truth, we felt to implore the blessing of God upon us, "that we might be fellow-helpers to the truth," and "unto the furtherance of the gospel."

On first-day we attended our appointment at M., where we gave ten lectures to the Americans, and four to the French. At the close of the meetings eight decided to go with us to mount Zion, four of whom are French. We have visited them twice since then, and lectured eight times. Three more have embraced the Sabbath, while others are still inquiring after truth.

The Lord has begun a good work in M., and to him be all the praise. And while these young soldiers will be called to meet much opposition on their way, we trust they will stand at their post, and "fight the good fight of faith, laying hold on eternal life, . . . until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ."

There is no small stir in this vicinity in regard to the doctrines we advocate. We meet much opposition on the part of the popular ministry, and are often called upon to review their contradictory positions on the subject of the Sabbath, and other points of present truth. But, blessed be God, the truth is mighty and will prevail. D. T. BOURDEAU.

West Enosburgh, Vt.