Early Monday morning Ellen White and her party boarded the train for Valence. It was here that Bourdeau had worked ten years earlier. Here in 1798 history was made as Pope Pius VI was kept as a prisoner of Napoleon. The pontiff died there the next year. Thus prophecy was fulfilled. (See The Great Controversy, 579.) EGWE 234.2
She spoke for three quarters of an hour in an evening meeting attended by a small company of believers and their friends. There was a keen interest in her message, and at the request of the people she decided to stay over an extra day. A man was present in the meeting who had begun to keep the Sabbath, but who had given it up. In her diary she tells of how she prayed earnestly that the sermon would have an influence in planting his feet once again upon the pathway to heaven. That same day, back in Basel, her second grand-daughter was born, but she did not receive word till several days later. EGWE 234.3
Early on the morning of Tuesday, November 2, Mrs. White arose early and engaged in writing. Meanwhile the brethren in Valence were out inviting their friends and stirring up an interest in the evening service. Brother Bourdeau drove many miles out into the country to pick up a brother and bring him to the meeting, but his mission was fruitless. The man was away from home, and the rain fell so heavily that he could not have attended anyway. But they had an excellent meeting in spite of the inclement weather. EGWE 234.4