THE CAUSE IN VERMONT by Daniel T. Bourdrau

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 26, 1860

THE CAUSE IN VERMONT.

By Daniel T. Bourdrau

DEAR BRO. SMITH: The cause of present truth is still advancing in northern Vt. For a few weeks past I have labored with my brother and Bro. Sperry, and have had the privilege of seeing about twenty honest souls decide to keep all of God's commandments. Truly my heart is made to rejoice and my faith is strengthened when I see the love and power of the Lord displayed in the glorious work of preparing a people for translation. The interest is evidently increasing in the East. Calls are more numerous, and most of the brethren see the necessity of being where the Lord can employ them in his service.

But while the cause is steadily advancing, we are not left without meeting opposition. Ministers of the different denominations are writing and lecturing against the Sabbath, and in some places professed Christians are disposed to make use of the law to compel us to keep Sunday.

A few weeks ago Bro. Sperry and myself held meetings in North Troy, Vt., and met much opposition. A minister was employed to preach against us; but the Lord gave Bro. Sperry freedom in defending the truth, and three embraced the Sabbath. When the people saw that the truth was getting hold in Troy they resorted to the lock-door argument, and we went where there was an ear to hear. During our absence, efforts were made by certain individuals to discourage those who had decided to keep the Sabbath that they might give up the truth. The 21st ult. the deputy sheriff of Troy served three writs on Bro. McClafin because he had broken three Sundays, and summoned him to appear before the chief justice to answer to the charges brought against him. Bro. M. appeared before the justice, and adjourned the trial. The regular sheriff of Troy came to Bro. M. and told him that if he would acknowledge he had been under mesmeric influence, and give up the Sabbath, the difficulty would be settled. But Bro. M. retained his integrity.

By this time there was quite an excitement in Troy. Some said, "We will not have any more of this seventh-day business in Troy; and when you shall have paid a few fines, you will begin to think it's time to keep Sunday." Others said, "This man is abused. He still has friends in Troy who will help him. His persecutors have often been seen breaking the Sabbath," etc. The court set the 8th inst. The witnesses gave in their testimonies against Bro. M. (Bro. M. could not speak for himself—it was a criminal case); the lawyers gave in their speeches, and the jury decided that Bro. M. should not be fined.

Bro. M.'s lawyer made excellent remarks. He proved, 1. That Bro. M.'s accusers were actuated by a spirit of persecution. 2. That there were few in Troy who adhered to the letter of the Sunday law of Vt. 3. That the church had no more right to persecute the poor despised Sabbath-keepers, than the Jews had to persecute the poor despised Nazarene. 4. That Bro. M. founded his belief on the Bible, and that he had not violated the constitution of the State of Vt., or the constitution of the United States. 5. That the great object of our forefathers in coming to this country was to worship God according to the dictates of their own consciences. 6. That when church members resort to the law of the land to compel Christians to keep Sunday as a holy day, they follow the same principle that the Catholic church followed when she persecuted those who would not subscribe to her doctrines.

I was present when Bro. M. was tried, and was led to conclude that some of his accusers had the same spirit that the Jews had when they cried, "Crucify him! crucify him!" There are some in Troy who would like to crucify the truth, and abuse those who would keep it; but there are others who have better principles, and more humanity, and who are ashamed of the course pursued by professed Christians. The Sunday law of Vt. is evidently against us. It clashes with the constitution of Vt., and with the constitution of the United States; yet it is pronounced constitutional because it has not been repealed. But our common courts cannot repeal the Sunday law, and Bro. M. acknowledged that he had not kept Sunday according to the law of Vt. Hence it is manifest that the decision of the jury was against the law of Vermont.

We are glad that the Lord does put into the minds of some to maintain the right, and that there are many who sigh in view of the abominations that are done in the land. But we cannot look for a better state of things in this country. The nations will soon be angry, and the two-horned beast will act his part in the conflict that is just before us; and God's people will be tried. The Lord is now holding in check the four winds, that the wind may not hurt the earth till God's remnant are sealed. Rev. vii, 2, 3. May God help us to put on strength, gird on the whole armor and work while mercy lingers, that the honest may embrace the principles of the fifth kingdom, and that our souls may be saved when the Almighty Deliverer shall come.

DANIEL T. BOURDRAU.

West Enosborough, Vt.