p. 107 | SWITZERLAND AND THE VALLEYS OF PIEDMONT, ITALY

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, February 17, 1885

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 62, No. 7

SWITZERLAND AND THE VALLEYS OF PIEDMONT, ITALY.

By D. T. Bourdeau

Since closing my last report, I have labored for the churches of Bienne, Tramelan, and Neuchatel, Switzerland. I found much to be done in helping young believers and some who had been longer in the truth, also in assisting in the work of getting up clubs for our French and German papers, and in obtaining renewals to the same, and in raising more means for our publishing house at Bâle. In this branch of the work our Swiss brethren have done nobly.

There have been encouraging additions to the churches of Neuchatel and Bienne. Especially is this true of the church at Neuchatel. This is largely owing to the effort made near Neuchatel last spring, and to the faithfulness of young converts and Bro. Albert Vuilleumier in following up the interest raised by said effort. Our French paper has done a good work also, in preparing hearts to receive the truth.

Neuchatel and vicinity was considered by some a hard field when I commenced a course of lectures there nine months ago. But God greatly encouraged me by his Spirit to make an effort, even when things looked very forbidding from more than one standpoint. Since then, about sixteen persons have been added to the church, and more are expected to follow their example. Why may we not regard this as a good indication that we should still push on the work, even in large cities? Nothing tends to unite and encourage old brethren like seeing the work progress in their midst and in “regions beyond” through their co-operation. The church of Neuchatel is now in a thriving condition, and bids fair to be one of the largest and strongest churches in Switzerland.

Being overburdened with the work I had undertaken in France and Italy, I was greatly relieved by my brother’s taking charge of the work in France, while I should spend a season in Italy. The Spirit of God endorsed this decision, and great peace has followed it. I believe God wants us to so labor as to retain the victories we have gained, and economize our strength, that we may still have the privilege of laboring in the blessed cause.

I have now been in the valleys of Piedmont since the 14th inst. I found Bro. Adémar Vuilleumier engaged in distributing tracts and papers, but he was in great need of having his faithful efforts followed at once by a course of lectures. He had hired and prepared a hall, and a longer delay to occupy it would have worked against us. We at once advertised for lectures; and although we have since had a three days’ snow-storm (the greatest storm of the kind that has been witnessed for forty years), followed by steady rain for twenty-four

hours, yet we have been enabled to hold five meetings. Among my hearers have been the two leading ministers, and the publisher of the place, who edits an Italian paper for the valleys.

Though we suffer from the errors of one who badly represented the cause here twenty years ago, yet we find many warm hearts, and hope, yes, expect, that with the blessing of God and perseverance, we will yet see many of the descendants of ancient Sabbath-keepers led to keep all the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.

We have also hired a hall at St. John, a village three miles distant, where I purpose giving my first discourse to-morrow night. On my way to this place, I spent five days in Geneva in doing some missionary work and in securing rooms for my family, also in preparing the way for the work of colporting, which must necessarily precede a public effort at so important a point. During this period I enjoyed peace of mind in meditation and in seeking for a knowledge of the mind of God in regard to the proper methods to adopt in starting a mission in this city, where so much is to be met, and where there is so much at stake.

Shut up to finite strength and wisdom, this seems like a great undertaking, from which one would naturally shrink. But as we look at the power of present truth, at the shortness of time, and at the importance of enlarging our borders, and bringing our reading matter before so many who have no knowledge of our work, thereby helping our publishing houses and preparing the way for the living preacher, faith, hope, and courage revive. We expect yet to see a church raised up in the city of Calvin, the seat of the French Protestant reformation of the sixteenth century, and the renowned seat of learning for Central Europe.

As the work enlarges before us, bringing with it increased responsibilities, we feel like dedicating ourselves anew to God, and seeking for a fresh unction from on high. We beg the prayers of God’s remnant people, that we may have every needed grace, and that our hopes may be realized, to the glory of God and the Lamb.

Two new converts kept last Sabbath with us in this place. This will be a source of encouragement to Sr. Revel, who has stood alone like a rock amid the dashing billows for twenty years.

D. T. BOURDEAU.

Torre Pellice, Italy, Jan. 19.