Report from Bro. Bourdeau.
By Daniel T. Bourdeau
BRO. WHITE: Sabbath Oct. 1, I attended a quarterly meeting with the church at Enosburgh. Several of the brethren and sisters could not attend because of sickness, and we judged it advisable to omit the ordinances and visit, sympathize with, and pray for, the afflicted. The state of my health was such that I could not visit after bearing the burdens of the day; but quite a number of the brethren and sisters called on Bro. Eli Sherman's family who were afflicted with sickness, and two of whom were under the doctor's care. They reported that they had a good time, and that the sick had been comforted and relieved. Monday, Oct. 3, went to Bro. Alonzo Sherman's to pray for his wife who was very sick, under the doctor's care. For five days she had been confined to her bed without being able to raise herself up or stand upon her feet, and she had not been able to keep down her food for about a week. She had kept around as long as she could, and the doctor and her neighbors said that her courage had kept her up too long for her good, and that she would be one or two months in recovering, if she ever got well. Fervent prayers were offered for her recovery, and hearty confessions were made agreeable to direction in James v, 16; and the instruction in the original commission, Mark xvi, 15-18, was tremblingly and humbly carried out. She arose, dressed and walked without assistance, sat to the table that she had ordered to be prepared, ate with and waited upon the brethren and sisters, and the next morning she helped in getting the breakfast, and remarked that she was better than she had been for months. Last Sabbath we met with the friends of the cause at Dunham. C. E. and tried to give them meat in due season. While at Dunham we were interested to hear Bro. Ruiter relate the experience he had had in his sickness, and tell how his mind had been exercised on the subject of sacrificing for the cause. He had felt that he must give one hundred dollars in silver to advance the cause of truth, and that if he failed to carry out his conviction the afflicting hand of the Lord would be upon him. He realized that God was in earnest with him, and gladly responded to Bro. White's remarks on raising the missionary Fund, and supplying the Association with paper, and directed to have fifty dollars applied on the Enosburgh meeting house and the remainder on the Vermont and Canada East Conference Fund. Bro. Ruiter has a small farm (50 acres) one third of which is poor; but he has by industrious labor and economy succeeded in raising some means, and is thankful that he can aid in spreading the truth. Will others in Vermont and Canada East imitate Bro. Ruiter in this respect? Come, brethren and sisters, let not little Vermont and Canada East be backward. Let us manifest our willingness to help in raising the $5,000 to buy paper for the Association, and the $5,000 for the Missionary Fund. Here are noble objects before us. All can readily see the necessity of supplying the Association with paper that its work may not be hindered, and of raising the Missionary Fund to push forward the cause in Missionary fields. We feel an interest for the Eastern Mission. Those engaged in it must go forth free and untrammelled by want. The $10,000, must and will be raised. My faith says, It will be done, and that too without pressing. There are thousands of Sabbath-keepers who have the cause at heart. God wants free-will offerings. Let those whose interests and affections are wrapt up in this world, and who feel like quibbling, keep their means. Let them have and enjoy this poor fading world; for they can have no part in the world to come unless they reform. When all are rewarded according to their works none will regret that they have denied themselves to help in proclaiming the last message of mercy, and in preparing a people to meet the Lord at his coming. As we were returning from Dunham, we stopped at Bro. Philip Cross', Sutton, and found his companion very sick in consequence of a hard shock of paralysis. We were greatly blessed, while dwelling on the object of affliction and praying for Sr. Cross. Sr. Cross feels deeply for her children, especially those who have not as yet committed themselves on the truth. These children have ever treated us kindly, and honor their mother in her affliction. May God help them to fully embrace the truth that she loves, and that sustains her in her sickness, and that they will need as a shield and stay in the troubles that are before us. When we left for Canada we felt very feeble; but now feel stronger, and our health is better than it has been for months. We still intend to spend our strength and energies in this good cause.